The Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre (EPICentre) has joined a consortium to support social enterprises in the tri-county region.
The Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre (EPICentre) has joined a consortium to support social enterprises in the tri-county region.
The Southwestern Ontario Regional Consortium is now accepting applications for the Investment Readiness Program, a $50 million fund launched by the federal government in June 2019 to support social purpose organizations (charities, non-profit organizations, co-operatives, and social enterprises) to become “investment ready” in the social finance market. Eligible organizations could receive from $10,000 to $100,000 in non-repayable capital to develop their enterprises.
EPICentre director Wen Teoh says the organization is excited to be part of the consortium.
“Our social enterprise programs have helped over 25 entrepreneurs launch their social enterprises since 2017,” she says. “This funding will help many of them move to the next stage and become sustainable.”
Under the leadership of the WindsorEssex Community Foundation, the partners include the Sarnia Community Foundation, the Windsor Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, Workforce WindsorEssex, and the Downtown Accelerator.