ONTARIO

​“Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program

Whether you are an individual, a start-up or an established small business or non-profit organization, there can be many challenges and barriers to bringing a new tourism idea, experience or partnership to fruition. 

​We want to help. The "Spark" Program will match selected applicants with a tourism mentor and provide seed funds to help bring their new tourism ideas to life.

2024 “Spark" Programs:

> Bruce County (Round 6) - Apply by Nov. 1
> London UNESCO City of Music - Apply by Oct. 10
> Northeastern Ontario (Round 2) - Apply by Oct. 29
​> Black Tourism (Round 2) - Apply by Dec. 4
> Indigenous Tourism (Round 5) - Apply by Jan. 15, 2025

> Peterborough & the Kawarthas (Round 3) - 2024 Winners
> Indigenous Tourism (Round 4) - 2024 Winners
> Vaughan (Round 2) - 2024 Winners
> Ontario's Southwest Black Tourism - 2024 Winners
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​Stay tuned for updates on new Ontario programs.

2023 “Spark" Programs:

> 2SLGBTQI+ (N. Ontario) - 2023 Winners
> Bruce County (Round 5) - 2023 Winners
> Simcoe County (Round 2) - 2023 Winners
> Haldimand County (Round 2) - 2023 Winners 
> Indigenous Tourism Skode Program (Round 3) - 2023 Winners
> Peterborough & the Kawarthas (Round 2) - 2023 Winners

2022 “Spark" Programs:

> 2SLGBTQI+ (S. Ontario) - 2022 Winners 
> Bruce County (Round 4) - 2022 Winners
> Guelph - 2022 Winners
> Middlesex County - 2022 Winners
> Northwest Ontario (Round 2) - 2022 Winners
> Vaughan - 2022 Winners​
> Haldimand County - 2022 Winners
> Indigenous Tourism (Round 2) - 2022 Winners
> Norfolk County - 2022 Winners
> Peterborough & the Kawarthas - 2022 Winners
> Simcoe County - 2022 Winners
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2021 “Spark" Programs:

> Akwesasne, Cornwall & SDG Counties (Round 2) - 2021 Winners
> Algoma Country - 2021 Winners
> Bruce County (Round 3) - 2021 Winners
> Chatham-Kent (Round 2) - 2021 Winners 
> Indigenous Tourism - 2021 Winners
> London - 2021 Winners
> Northern ON (Special Edition) - 2021 Winners
​> Oxford County - 2021 Winners
​> St. Lawrence College - Special Student Edition 
> Windsor Essex (Round 2) - 2021 Winners

2018-2020 “Spark" Programs:
​
​> Bay of Quinte - 2020 Winners 
> Bruce County - 2019 Winners
> Bruce County (Round 2) - 2020 Winners
> Chatham-Kent - 2020 Winners
> Cornwall & SDG Counties - 2020 Winners
> Northeastern ON - 2019 Winners
> Northwest ON - 2020 Winners
> Sarnia-Lambton - 2020 Winners
> Windsor Essex - 2018 Winners
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The "Spark" Program includes:

• Region-wide call out for applications from individuals, small businesses and non-profits
• Application reviews by a jury including local and provincial tourism innovators and leaders
• Finalists' Pitch Session (our friendly take on a tourism Dragon's Den)
• Selection of 3 winning applicants from each participating region (special edition programs sometimes have a higher number)

Selected applicants will receive:

• 3 month mentorship with a tourism innovator, experienced operator, industry leader and/or sector expert (mentors are not pre-selected; matches are tailored to the mentee's focus areas)
• Seed funds to support tourism idea development activities
• Access to a support network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders
• Ongoing guidance on other resources and support services provided by partners​

All program applicants are invited to join our "Spark" community of tourism innovators, idea makers, partners and supporters for special networking events, one-on-one's, and development workshops.

Be inspired! Udderly Ridiculous launched farm life tourism experiences in Oxford County.​

Be Inspired! iSUP Saugeen launched a mobile surf shop, water safety awareness programs and on-water experiences in Bruce County.

Be Inspired! Lavender Fox launched year-round nature retreats and experiences in Simcoe County.

Be inspired! Curveball Creative developed a new projection art experience called "Love Text" in London.

Be inspired! Walnut Grove B&B is developing curated local wine and culinary experiences in Essex County.
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Interested in launching the "Spark" Program in your region? 
Interested in being a mentor and supporting start-up tourism initiatives?  

Please contact Justin Lafontaine, Program Lead at [email protected] or 416-712-8819 for more information.

Learn more about the Tourism Innovation Lab and follow us on socials.