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Incubation

Impact forward.

At its core, the Social Ventures Zone is driven by the social issues our diverse roster of ventures are working to solve every day. We're not about "hustle culture" or "grindsets". We're about great ideas that are capable of making real-world social change. If you have a startup that is focused on making the world a better place, the Social Ventures Zone is the place to take it to the next level. At the SVZ, we're incubating good - and we'd love to have you.

Are you eligible to be incubated at the SVZ? You must be...

  1. Working on a social venture. What does this mean?
  2. Not yet receiving academic credit for the work you are doing on your social change idea
  3. A high school graduate (or equivalent)
  4. 17 years of age or older
  5. A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, visa/permit holders, or refugee claimant

If you answered 'yes' to all of these, then you are eligible to apply to become an SVZ member.

Incubation at the SVZ is for you if...

You are already leading a social venture that is starting to make a difference and you want to take it to the next level.

You have an idea you have researched and developed into a social venture that is ready for the next step.

Are you not quite at this stage in your journey yet? No problem! Check out our ideation program for earlier stage social entrepreneurs.

What does it mean to be incubated at the SVZ?

  1. A small number of applicants are selected to pitch the committee.

  2. A smaller number of applicants are offered admission to our incubation cohort.

  3. These venture teams are onboarded and then participate in an eight-week cohort program where they will deepen their understanding of their problem and improve the elements of their venture.

  4. At the close of the cohort sessions, each venture will make a final pitch to the SVZ community and join the broader cohort of SVZ startups. Ongoing participation through social events and workshops starts now!

  5. At the start of their incubation, they will work with SVZ staff to create a plan to move forward, including identifying goals, setting KPIs and creating a timeline for testing and growth.

  6. Venture teams will be matched with an SVZ coach that will support their work. 

  7. Ventures can remain a part of the SVZ at no charge for up to two years, provided they continue to actively work on their ventures and benefit from the support provided by the SVZ. Ventures will then graduate from the SVZ and become a senior team or alum.

Winter 2025 Incubation applications are now closed.

*In order to apply, please follow the link above and click "Register an account". From there, please follow the prompts.

Applications for the Social Ventures Zone open three times per year: once each in the Fall, Winter, and Spring semesters. Our cohorts follow Toronto Metropolitan University’s semester cycles.