The Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) in Toronto, in partnership with the experiential startup program Lean4Flourishing, has announced that it will be offering an intensive 17-week program to accelerate the growth of social enterprise businesses in Ontario.
CSI, which received funding from the Ontario Social Impact Voucher Program, will provide 25 early stage businesses the opportunity to take part in the Lean4Flourishing Business Model Innovation accelerator free of charge. Each spot is valued at $3,000.
Over the 17 week period from January to May 2017, participants will take part in experiential labs, coaching sessions, and peer learning sessions. Some of the topics CSI and Lean4Flourishing plan to cover are developing a strategy for business models, prototyping products, marketing and sales, and social and environmental impact measurement, among others.
Through these different sessions, CSI is hoping to help the participants seek funding and resources to scale their social enterprises, as well as become certified B corps. Those participating in the program will also have gain membership with the CSI, allowing them to access the lounges, meeting rooms, and WiFi at the centre’s various locations.
“We partnered with Lean4Flourishng to provide this intensive Business Model Innovation Accelerator. ” said Barnabe Geis, the manager of impact and accelerators at CSI. “The entrepreneurs will grow their entrepreneurial competencies and achieve real results. Basically, we’ll have their backs; helping them validate their business models, manage the many challenges unique to social enterprises, and get on a clear path to scale.”