519.997.2863   |   info@wetech-alliance.com   |   FRANÇAIS
Site logo
Sticky header logo
Site logo
  • Who We Are
    • Our Purpose
    • Our Team
      • WEtech Alliance Team
      • Venture Success Team
    • Our Board
    • Our Impact
    • Our Partners
  • What We Do
    • Tech Acceleration
      • Founders Night
      • i.d.e.a. Fund
      • Innovation Outposts
      • ScaleUP
      • SWO Black Entrepreneurship Network
      • Roadmap to MVP
      • Innovation Catalyst
      • Ignition Program
        • Ignition Challenges
        • Ignition Solutions
      • Digital Main Street | Future Proof
      • Women Entrepreneurship
        • Roadmap to MVP
        • Canada/US Power Panel
        • F5: Refresh and Reload
        • Women Entrepreneurs Holiday Gift Guide
        • RISE Windsor-Essex
      • MedHealth
    • Tech Talent
      • Nerd Olympics
      • FIRST Robotics
      • Hacking Health
      • Tech Connect
    • Tech Community
      • Tech Week YQG
      • Tech Awards
      • Founders Week
      • Tech Connect
      • Regional Alliance Windsor-Essex
      • Where Canada Begins
  • How We Help
    • Client Perks
    • Tech Jobs Board
    • Opportunity Alerts
    • Resources
      • Links
      • Winnovation Map
      • Entrepreneur’s Toolkit Library
      • Employer Support Programs Matrix
      • Entrepreneur Support Network
      • WEsearch
  • Get Connected
    • Tech Connect
    • Tech & Innovation News
    • Tech Events
    • Tech Blog
    • Tech Podcasts
    • TECH IT OUT! Newsletter
    • Français
    • Contact Us
  • Tech Jobs
  • Become a Client
PrevTime is Running Out! Deloitte’s Technology Fast 5020 May 2015NextCall for Applications: Commercializing Life Sciences and Medical Technology21 May 2015
  • Tech News

Social Innovation to Meet the Needs of Windsor-Essex

May 21, 2015in Tech News 0 Comments
Photo credit: Social Innovation
Photo credit: snapd Windsor

WINDSOR, ON – May 21, 2015 – WEtech Alliance and Pathway to Potential are pleased to announce that they have successfully secured a $160,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to move social innovation forward in Windsor-Essex over 24 months.

The funded project is to launch the first phase of a regional social innovation project for Windsor-Essex. Social innovation is defined as new strategies, concepts, ideas and organizations that meet the most pressing social needs of a community.

The project will have the dual focus of fostering social enterprise from both entrepreneurs and the not-for-profit sector. Social enterprises – businesses that have a positive social, cultural or environmental impact while generating revenue – make important contributions to social innovation by creating social value and introducing new ways of addressing complex social challenges. The first phase of the project will explore social innovation best practices and increase awareness and implementation of social enterprise through regional idea labs, workshops and contests.

“There are more than 10,000 social enterprises in Ontario and this number is set to grow. People are becoming more aware of the social impact in their spending. The number of socially conscious consumers in the last 20 years has risen by 170%. Also growing is the global social finance market, projected to reach $1 trillion by 2020”, said President and CEO of WEtech Alliance, Yvonne Pilon. “Additionally, there is a new wave of young entrepreneurs who want to balance making a profit with making positive social impact. Lastly, the government’s role is changing. Social enterprises can offer innovative ways to address needs that are too complex for public sector to tackle alone.”

Adam Vasey, Director of Pathway to Potential, the local poverty reduction strategy, said, “the landscape of the not-for-profit world is rapidly changing and social enterprises are playing a significant role by lifting people out of poverty and building stronger communities and more resilient local economies. Of the 10,000 social enterprises in Ontario, 70 per cent are focused on poverty reduction.” He added, “The province is committed to supporting social enterprises and with this local project, we can help our community leverage what is available – whether that’s accessing available grants, loans, education or services.” Vasey added.Lisa Gretzky Quote

“This grant recognizes the significant contributions WEtech Alliance and Pathway to Potential have made to the development of social enterprise in Windsor-Essex, as well as the importance of supporting continued innovation,” said Lisa Gretzky, Member of Provincial Parliament for Windsor West. “Social innovation will enhance our local economy at the same time as creating a more caring and compassionate community.”

A full time coordinator will be hired to provide program support. The job posting for the coordinator position can be here: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/2015/05/15/social-innovation-coordinator/.

About the Ontario Trillium Foundation
A leading grant maker in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities.

About WEtech Alliance
As one of the eighteen Regional Innovation Centres in the province of Ontario, funded by the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs, WEtech provides an extensive roster of programs, advisory services and training to clients and members in the technology and innovation sectors in the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions. For more information, visit www.wetech-alliance.com.

About Pathway to Potential – Windsor Essex County’s Poverty Reduction Strategy
Pathway to Potential (P2P) works within the community to reduce and prevent poverty in Windsor-Essex. We accomplish this by engaging the community to identify and remove barriers to social and economic resources through education, research and advocacy. P2P is funded by the City of Windsor and County of Essex. P2P participates in a network with other communities across Canada through Vibrant Communities Canada. www.pathwaytopotential.ca

– 30 –

Yvonne Pilon
President/CEO, WEtech Alliance
720 Ouellette Avenue, Suite 133 Windsor, ON, N9A 1C2
office: 519- 997-2857
mobile:519-819-8251
ypilon@wetech-alliance.com

Adam Vasey
Director, Pathway to Potential
80 Chatham Street East
Windsor, ON, N9A 2W1
office: 519-255-6545 ext. 6953
mobile: 519-562-8668
adam@pathwaytopotential.ca

0 Likes

Categories

  • Blog
  • CleanTech Blog
  • Client News
  • Ivy's League Blog
  • Opportunity Alerts
  • Our Impact
  • Siri Blog
  • StartUP Blog
  • Tech News

Recent Posts

Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Announce Business Excellence Awards Finalists
Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Announce Business Excellence Awards Finalists
UWindsor secures $5M partnership with TELUS to propel 5G research and innovation in agriculture, advanced manufacturing and connected and autonomous vehicles
UWindsor secures $5M partnership with TELUS to propel 5G research and innovation in agriculture, advanced manufacturing and connected and autonomous vehicles
Workforce WindsorEssex Launches Report Identifying the Benefits of Remote Work in Our Community
Workforce WindsorEssex Launches Report Identifying the Benefits of Remote Work in Our Community
Happy New… Tech Job? Employers Hiring in Tech Right Now
Happy New… Tech Job? Employers Hiring in Tech Right Now
Angel Investors Bring Capital to the Local Start-Up Ecosystem
Angel Investors Bring Capital to the Local Start-Up Ecosystem

Connect with Us

TECH IT OUT! Monthly Newsletter

Get the latest Tech News, Events, Talent & Tech Jobs in Windsor-Essex & Chatham-Kent delivered directly to your inbox each month.

SIGN UP

Wetech Alliance Logo

Navigation

  • Home
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • Tech & Innovation News
  • Events
  • Contact

Location

Footer Map
Click here for a detailed map.

Contact

Joyce Entrepreneurship Centre
2455 Wyandotte Street West
Located inside EPICentre, 2nd Floor
Windsor, ON N9B 0C1

Office: 519.997.2863

Connect with us:

ALL IMAGES, DESIGNS AND CONTENT COPYRIGHT © 2023, WETECH ALLIANCE.