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The County of Simcoe Economic Development Office is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s Entrepreneurial Innovation Fund (EIF).
The EIF is established on an annual basis to enhance support for entrepreneurs and advance entrepreneurial activity across Simcoe County. The Fund is designed to foster the introduction of innovative approaches to support entrepreneurs, leading to new collaborations and partnerships within the region. This year, the EIF is providing funding to a total of six successful applications:
Smart Start North Simcoe
Lead Applicant: North Simcoe Business Centre
Smart Start North Simcoe will be a self-guided entrepreneur platform designed to help aspiring and existing business owners assess their stage in the business journey, identify the type of support they require, and determine when to seek advisory or financing assistance. While hosted by the North Simcoe Business Centre, its digital form will offer access to entrepreneurs across Simcoe County. The bilingual platform will feature informative videos, practical decision-support resources, guided self-assessment questions, and clear pathways to regional business support services. Smart Start North Simcoe will empower users to evaluate their readiness before entering the support ecosystem, increase confidence in seeking assistance, and improve the efficient use of frontline advisory resources.
Dual-Use Innovation 101 Day & Commercialization Support Program
Lead Applicant: Sandbox Centre
The Dual‑Use Innovation 101 Day & Commercialization Support Program introduces technology founders in Simcoe County to emerging dual‑use markets—sectors where civilian technologies intersect with public safety, defence, and critical infrastructure needs. The core of the initiative will be a full‑day regional event hosted at the Sandbox Centre: Dual‑Use Innovation 101 Day. The event is anticipated to include keynote speakers, interactive demonstrations, investor and procurement engagement, and a competitive pitch component to showcase local innovation. This will be complemented by an extended virtual support program consisting of 8-12 sessions focused on knowledge transfer, commercialization readiness, and strategic ecosystem alignment. This virtual component will provide ongoing learning opportunities for participants, while enabling continued monitoring of company progression, partnership development, and demand signals for dual‑use support. The project is designed to convene diverse stakeholder groups, including all levels of government, entrepreneurs, investors, public safety stakeholders, academic institutions, and industry experts, thereby fostering new partnerships and strengthening regional collaboration.
Growing Success: Seed to Sale
Lead Applicant: Township of Clearview
Growing Success: Seed to Sale aims to establish a comprehensive entrepreneurial support program tailored to agricultural entrepreneurs. The initiative is designed to provide flexible, accessible, sector‑specific support throughout all stages of the business lifecycle. A central feature of the program will be an interactive online platform offering on‑demand video modules covering foundational topics, supported by an extensive resource library that connects users to relevant support providers and programs. The platform will also include Q&A and feedback functions, as well as user analytics and tracking to identify areas of interest and enable timely, targeted follow‑up with participants. This digital component will be complemented by in‑person, growth‑focused workshops, forming the program’s second pillar. Growing Success: Seed to Sale will respond to challenges such as complex regulatory requirements, licensing obligations, and common accessibility barriers that can limit engagement with traditional business support services.
The AI Pathway: From Strategic Readiness to Implementation
Lead Applicants: Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre – Georgian College & Georgian Bay Business Accelerator
Georgian College and the Georgian Bay Business Accelerator have partnered to deliver a coordinated, multi‑partner initiative structured as a two‑stage approach to advancing strategic and responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption among growing and scaling entrepreneurs. Phase 1 – AI Bridge – will focus on building AI literacy and operational readiness through structured assessments, strategic evaluation, and pilot activities. Phase 2 – Grow Smarter – will build on this foundation by supporting practical implementation through five sessions on AI for strategy, demand generation, automation, financial modelling, and operational continuity, each consisting of a lecture as well as workshop component. Designed as a unified progression model, The AI Pathway: From Strategic Readiness to Implementation will integrate two complementary components to provide full‑spectrum support for entrepreneurs. The initiative will enhance AI literacy, evaluate and strengthen operational readiness, and advance targeted application through deliberate coordination between program partners.
Succession Summit
Lead Applicant: Town of Innisfil
The Succession Summit aims to raise awareness and equip small business owners with foundational knowledge on succession planning, business valuation, exit options, and buyer readiness through a one-day, in-person event. The event will feature educational sessions, expert-led workshops, panel discussions, and facilitated networking. The project acknowledges the growing risks associated with a significant number of business owners approaching retirement and the potential impacts on local economies should transitions not be planned effectively. By providing education, resources, and connections, the Succession Summit will empower business owners, encourage early preparation, and support ownership continuity.
YSpace Entrepreneur Pathways – BWG & Simcoe County
Lead Applicant: Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, in partnership with YSpace Northern Hub – York University’s pan‑university innovation hub, will deliver a regionally tailored, multi‑faceted entrepreneurship support program for aspiring and early‑stage entrepreneurs. The initiative will include curated one‑on‑one idea consultations, group workshops, and peer‑to‑peer sessions, supported by a 12‑week Founder Fundamentals workshop series. Participants who attend at least nine of the eleven workshops will receive a YSpace Certificate of Completion from York University. In addition, YSpace Entrepreneur Pathways – BWG & Simcoe County will provide participants with access to YSpace hubs, content libraries, and reserved seats in YSpace’s Business Plan Bootcamp program. The project will offer a comprehensive entrepreneurship support package made up of multiple components designed to increase business formation, resilience, and growth. The Founder Fundamentals series will cover core topics equipping participants with foundational skills required to start and expand a business. The Business Plan Bootcamp will further strengthen the program by offering in‑depth educational sessions and mentorship focused on market research, financial projections, operational planning, and investor‑ready documentation, supporting participants in positioning their ventures for funding, lending, and grant opportunities.
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