WEtech Alliance partners with Innovation Guelph to deliver Government of Canada support to bring new technologies to market and create jobs in southwestern Ontario’s clean tech sector
Southwestern Ontario has a rich and diverse hub of promising early-stage technology companies with innovative solutions to be commercialized to continue Canada’s transition to a green economy.
That is why WEtech Alliance is pleased to partner with Innovation Guelph to deliver the Government of Canada supported i.d.e.a. Fund, a southwestern Ontario-focused initiative to help clean growth firms unlock their potential and access the capital and mentoring needed to commercialize innovative technologies.
Participating businesses (that apply and are accepted to receive support through the Fund) will be provided with seed funding as well as wrap-around support that includes access to specialized expertise and business strategies.
On April 29, the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced a non-repayable investment of $10 million for Innovation Guelph to partner with five southwestern Ontario Regional Innovation Centres (RICs): Haltech, Innovate Niagara, Innovation Factory, TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario and WEtech Alliance to deliver the Fund.
Minister Jaczek, Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield, and members of the 6 southwestern Ontario Regional Innovation Centres at the April 29th i.d.e.a. Fund launch in Guelph.
The fund will support 240 businesses in key sectors connected to the green economy, including agri-innovation, cleantech, and advanced manufacturing, to create and maintain 840 jobs, and commercialize 135 new products, services, processes and technologies.
As part of this partnership, WEtech Alliance will lead on delivering the Fund in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent. WEtech Alliance will help to provide eligible businesses in the region with advisory services and non-repayable contributions of up to $30,000 to provide the working capital needed to support commercialization efforts and growth. This support will assist firms from across the region’s urban and rural communities bring their technologies to market.
For additional details and eligibility criteria, visit www.wetech-alliance.com/idea.
Yvonne Pilon
President & CEO, WEtech Alliance
“Every day, in communities across Southern Ontario, entrepreneurs are advancing innovative solutions to our nation’s most pressing challenges. Through this collaboration, WEtech Alliance will unlock the capital needed to support a sustainable, inclusive, and equitable recovery for founders & companies and help advance game-changing innovations right here in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.”
The Honourable Helena Jaczek
Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“The Government of Canada is making smart investments to build a greener and more innovative Canadian economy.”
“Today’s investment in Innovation Guelph and the i.d.e.a. Fund will provide Canadian entrepreneurs and businesses with the support they need to produce innovative solutions that continue Canada’s transition to a green economy. This investment will create good, secure jobs for Canadians, protect Canadian supply chains, and ensure that the Canadian economy is positioned to be a global leader, now and into the future.”
Irek Kusmierczyk
Member of Parliament for Windsor-Tecumseh
“Through this federal investment, our strong partnership with WEtech Alliance will further strengthen our regional economy in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent, and it will support innovative tech entrepreneurs and businesses driving a greener future in southwestern Ontario.”
Drew Dilkens
Mayor, City of Windsor
“This is a thriving time for innovation and entrepreneurship in southwestern Ontario. This funding aligns with the City of Windsor’s economic diversification strategy – Windsor Works – and strengthens the linkages that will help scale up new ventures to create jobs and grow our regional economy.”
Darrin Canniff
Mayor, Municipality of Chatham-Kent
“This announcement is great news for Chatham-Kent as we continue our journey to embrace green tech and future-thinking innovation.”
“We know that WEtech Alliance will work diligently to ensure these funds are distributed to the many worthy businesses in Chatham-Kent that are on the cutting edge of green technology and will further stimulate our already growing local economy.”
Gary McNamara
Warden, Essex County
“This program will direct funding and support to the people most likely to maximize its potential – the entrepreneurs and trailblazers in Windsor-Essex focused on agri-innovation, clean technology and a greener economy.”
“WEtech Alliance has the vision, the knowledge and the connections to ensure this funding is funneled to the innovative businesses that can best leverage it to create jobs and new and better systems and products.”
Adam Castle
Director of Venture Services, WEtech Alliance
“Early access to capital and expert mentorship are the most reported needs on our client intake form, and for good reason. Research has proven that to grow into globally competitive leaders, small and medium sized enterprises need equitable access to funding and expertise. The i.d.e.a Fund is primed to deliver both by empowering entrepreneurs to think differently and build bold solutions to our region’s most pressing challenges.”
