Programs and Projects

Accelerator programs for Canadians tackling climate and water challenges through the power of entrepreneurship. Access mentors, advisors, training, and networks with Accelerate from Anywhere. All you need is an internet connection!

Learn the foundations of impact entrepreneurship and begin your journey, from identifying the right problem to turning your solution into a sustainable business model.

Prove your venture's potential. This 6-week program will help you validate your value proposition and business model, hone your pitch, develop your minimum viable product, and more.

Earth Tech is a six-month accelerator for those working on climate or water technology solutions that will positively impact communities and ecosystems across Canada.

Adopting Common Measures is a national three-year project that aims to support Social Purpose Organizations as they measure and track their impact towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adopting Common Measures is being led by the Centre for Social Innovation, in partnership with Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) and the Common Approach to Impact Measurement.

Our Social Entrepreneurship 101 program covers all aspects of social entrepreneurship, from making sure you’ve identified the right problem, to testing solutions, turning your solution into a sustainable business model, and measuring its impact.

In this event series, you’ll hear from incredible leaders who create positive change and that builds the Next Economy - one that is regenerative, equitable, and prosperous for all.

Climate Ventures fast-tracks the success of innovators developing solutions to the climate crisis. A joint initiative of CSI and Foresight Canada, we also collaborate with investors, industry, government and academia to solve challenges and scale solutions.

A new community project in Regent Park: get to know your neighbours and make our neighbourhood even better!

CSI Institute has partnered with Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and MaRS on a social innovation lab to understand how the ‘Financialization of Housing’ is impacting housing affordability in Canada, and support the goal of every Canadian having a home they can afford that meets their needs by 2030.

The City of Toronto and CSI are working together to facilitate a set of meetings between homelessness experts and social entrepreneurs.

The League of Social Entrepreneurs will combine their entrepreneurial energy with social innovation labs and the firepower of acceleration and incubation to create enterprising solutions that Build Back Better.

CSI is offering social enterprise training programs for women and gender non-binary entrepreneurs as part of the Women of Ontario Social Enterprise Network (WOSEN).

Ready to take your social purpose business to the next level? Grow is a three-month accelerator designed to support women-led, validation-stage social enterprises.

Are you interested in exploring your purpose as a social entrepreneur? Do you have an early-stage idea that will create positive social or environmental impact?Join the Start program for women and gender non-binary entrepreneurs to uncover the possibilities of your social impact.

Investment Readiness Supports is for women and gender non-binary people who lead established social ventures, who have a defined capital need, and who are preparing for funding or investment in the coming year.

Creating a resilient, sustainable social enterprise model involves community – not only those who support your business, but also those who support you! CSI Coaches offers one-on-one coaching to help women and gender non-binary entrepreneurs create lasting impact.

Are you a social entrepreneur or innovator looking to be part of a dynamic community? Do you love meeting new people, solving new problems every day and making sure our spaces flow? Would you exchange 7 hours a week for a fantastic free workspace and access to an incredible community? The DECA program is perfect for you.

The 2020 Agents of Change: SDGs program was a 8-week course delivered live online for aspiring Social Entrepreneurs between 18-30 helping to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. We ran two cohorts: one in Eastern Canada and one in Western Canada.

A one-year accelerator for startups scaling promising products, services and technologies that fight climate change.

The Agents of Change: Climate Solutions accelerator supported enterprises working on climate change solutions that increase the ability of consumers and businesses to make low-carbon choices, resulting in a quantifiable and significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

CSI launched a one-year fellowship for entrepreneurs leading discovery to efficiency-stage cleantech startups reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario.

We launched a competition on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Climate CoLab platform to solicit a broad range of possible solutions to help SMEs in Ontario reduce their direct and indirect GHG emissions while helping them thrive.

The 2016 Agents of Change: Community Health supported entrepreneurs and changemakers applying innovative solutions to some of Ontario’s most pressing community health challenges, addressing both systemic and social determinants of health.

Great cities are the product of engaged and active citizens. The 2015 Agents of Change: City Builders program was created to give these dreamers, doers and innovators a helping hand.

The 2011, 2012 and 2013 Youth Agents of Change provided space and support to young people aged 19-30 with a promising social venture to help them turn their ideas into real impact, and prepare them for early stage investment.