OUR 2022 YEAR IN SUCCESS
2022 was the year of *new-ness* at Innovate Niagara and we’re thrilled to share some of the highlights with you in our Year IN Success!
First things first… did you notice we’re looking a little bit (and by a little bit, we mean a lot) different these days? We couldn’t help but feel like a brand refresh was just what we needed, so we dug in deep and created a visual identity that matched our Regional Innovation Centre’s fresh, tech-driven vibe.
BUT, while we look different now, Innovate Niagara still provides the same structure, services and resources entrepreneurs need to get their innovative ideas off the ground. That part will never change. Entrepreneurs can count on us to help them start, grow and succeed though mentorship, market intelligence, programming, tech incubation, workshops and events, and networking opportunies.
Now that leads us to two more of our biggest highlights of the year. We also experienced lots of new-ness in programming and funding opportunities at Innovate Niagara.
In March 2022 we introduced i.d.e.a. Fund., a program that fosters inclusion, diversity, environment and acceleration while contributing to a green recovery, and is delivered in partnership with the following Ontario Regional Innovation Centres: Innovation Guelph, Haltech, Innovate Niagara, WEtech Alliance, Innovation Factor and Tech Alliance of Southwestern Ontario, to support a more sustainable economy while fostering an inclusive and equitable recovery in southern Ontario.
Across southern Ontario, approximately 120 companies received non-repayable contributions of up to $3,600,000 through Cohort 1 of the Government of Canada supported i.d.e.a. Fund. The recipients, who were from a variety of industries, received seed funding of up to $30,000 per company with matching funds and up to 40 hours of targeted support and expertise from business leaders.
Innovate Niagara also partnered with WEtech Alliance, SnapPea Design, UVARO and Conestoga to support Accelerator Centre deliver the FedDev Funded program, AC:Studio. The AC:Studio program was designed to support high-potential startup founders, whether they had an existing business idea or they were looking for their next startup adventure. This hybrid accelerator/venture studio program combined the best of Accelerator Centre’s award-winning AC:Incubate program with a venture studio model that funds high-impact startups, matches great ideas with talented founders and delivers up to $100,000 in seed funding grants for startups and small business, one-to-one mentorship with a team of in-house and specialist mentors, and so much more.
Watch our *new* video to learn more about Innovate Niagara!
Interested in learning about some of the companies we support and some of the cool things they achieved last year? Keep scrolling!
Innovate Niagara provided 19 companies with $547,619 through Cohort 1 of Government of Canada-funded i.d.e.a. Fund
Across southern Ontario, approximately 120 companies received non-repayable contributions of up to $3,600,000 through Cohort 1 of the Government of Canada-supported i.d.e.a Fund. View the full list HERE. The Innovate Niagara-supported companies in Cohort 1 are:
HOW TO APPLY
Cohort 2 applications will open in March 2023. Subscribe for updates about i.d.e.a. Fund here. We'll notify you when the next round of applications opens!
2022 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Innovate Niagara helps entrepreneurs enhance their entrepreneurial skills through specialized workshops, courses and events. Check out some of the virtual events we hosted this year!
How to Fund and Grow your Tech Company
How to Structure your Business for Success
How to Create a Pitch Deck for Investors
Women in STEAM
Innovate Niagara’s community partners help power innovation in Niagara. They provide essential resources to support services and programming offered to clients through Innovate Niagara. Through referrals to our community partners, clients also benefit from our community partners’ field of expertise and services.
Credits:
Created with images by phonlamaiphoto - "mini robot work" • sdecoret - "Robotic hand pressing a keyboard on a laptop 3D rendering" • Tierney - "Digital graphs and hexagon grids with abstract high speed technology POV motion blur"