DEADLINE OCTOBER 21

We have $20,000 to invest in projects and would like to maximize impact by funding a variety of projects in both for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations/social enterprises. As such, a maximum allocation of $3,000 will be considered per project/application. Projects that can demonstrate that they leverage additional funds/resources may be given higher priority.

Eligible Recipients: 
Must be located in the City of Orillia, the Townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara, Severn, or the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, and must be structured as: a non-profit organization or a for-profit business (sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation). However, registered charitable organizations are not eligible.

Applicants must also demonstrate that they were operating prior to January 1, 2021, as start up activities are not eligible.

To learn more & apply, please visit our website:

CDC Helps Local Man Move From Employee To Entrepreneur

“With the CDC’s help I was able to break down and understand the financials of the company, apply a realistic valuation to the purchase price and structure a deal the way I wanted. Their input and guidance gave me the confidence to move forward knowing I was making an educated decision based on risks I could understand and manage.”

COVID education and compliance visits

Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) will again be conducting education and compliance visits to a variety of different businesses across Simcoe Muskoka from October 4-6

These visits will help ensure that businesses follow public health guidelines to protect workers and the public from COVID-19.

Vaccine Certificates & Best Practices for Businesses

As of September 22, 2021, Ontario residents who are 12 and older need to show proof of vaccination or proof of a legitimate medical exemption when accessing certain indoor public settings. This Ask an Expert webinar on October 6 will outline information and best practices for businesses and organizations to be compliant and best serve their customers, employees and the general public.

Xcelerate Summit. Central Ontario’s Premier Business Event.

This four-day virtual conference starting October 19 - 22 brings together the areas most prominent business leaders, stellar keynote speakers, hands-on workshops and networking.

Learn practical techniques and participate in business engagement opportunities through an agenda packed with a keynote presentation, workshops and a brand new lineup each year on the Presidents’ Panel. The Summit is running in a virtual format again for 2021, meaning you can “build your own adventure“ and participate from the comfort of your own workspace.

Take some time to work on your business.

RTO7 Brings Back PPE COVID-19 Recovery Fund

RTO7 will reimburse tourism operators a maximum of $1,000 before tax towards your purchase of PPE (defined as masks, sanitizer, shields, costs incurred to adhere to social distancing, touchless payments, new technology, increased cleaning, sanitization, etc.), retroactive to April 1, 2021.

Ontario Investing $100 Million to Help Tourism Sector Rebound From COVID-19

The Ontario Tourism Recovery Program will support tourism businesses that have experienced a loss of at least 50 per cent of eligible revenue in 2020-21 compared to 2019. Program funding will help successful applicants prepare to reopen safely, develop innovative tourism products, retain and create tourism jobs, and support tourism recovery in their region and throughout Ontario.

Applications for the Tourism Recovery Program will open on October 13, 2021. 

Now in its ninth year, Invest Ottawa’s flagship entrepreneurship conference will have women founders, funders, changemakers and groundbreakers from every walk of life leading from the stage and airwaves. 

It will also feature a top tier roster of inspirational women leaders from Ottawa, across Canada and around the world who are pushing through the She-Cession driven by COVID-19. They will share actionable insight, strategies and lessons learned from the tech and entrepreneurial trenches during the pandemic. Participants will gain scale-up, revenue, customer, and funding strategies to accelerate growth in any climate. And this year, there is no cost for tickets to ensure this event is as accessible as possible to every member of our community.

The conference will also feature Manjit Minhas, founder of the 10th largest brewery in the world, venture capitalist and co-star of CBC’s Dragons’ Den.