Investing in the innovation ecosystem

Community Initiatives are entrepreneur-focused activities that reflect and support the goals and values of the innovation community by addressing key needs such as networking, visibility, and learning. These initiatives can include events, workshops, and other collaborative opportunities, ranging from single-day events to multi-day programs. In the 2025 funding year, the Community Initiatives Fund will offer up to $10,000 to cover eligible costs for initiatives that enhance Edmonton’s innovation ecosystem. Applications for the next round of funding will open on February 17, 2025 and close on March 28, 2025.

Please note that this may be the only opportunity to apply for the Community Initiatives Fund in 2025. Additional opportunities may be made available at the discretion of the ERIN Steering Committee, depending on the availability of funds.

  • The Community Initiatives Fund is designed to support activities that have a demonstrated impact on entrepreneurs and founders within the innovation ecosystem while benefiting the broader Edmonton entrepreneurial community. The purpose of the fund is to strengthen the innovation ecosystem by addressing the existing needs of entrepreneurs, such as networking opportunities, enhanced visibility, and learning experiences.

    Applicants are strongly encouraged to collaborate with partners to enhance the impact and alignment of their initiatives within the ecosystem. ERIN emphasizes matched funding to promote partnerships among ecosystem members and does not provide funding for initiatives retroactively. Applications are assessed by the Sub-Committee to identify those with the highest potential value, ensuring they align with both current and future funding priorities.

    More detailed information is available in the Community Initiatives Information Package. Please take the time to review this information prior to submitting your application.

  • Eligibility will be assessed on a case by case basis by the Community Initiatives Sub-Committee. However, it is generally understood that all funded initiatives should be hosted in full or in part in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region and applicants must be members of the Edmonton Regional Innovation Network.

    The ERIN welcomes applications from both for-profit and not-for-profit entities, encouraging initiatives that create meaningful, measurable impacts in the community. The ERIN does not fund business development or startup activities.  Therefore, applicants operating a for-profit enterprise must demonstrate that the community benefits of their initiative outweigh the advantages to their business.  

    To align with ERIN's collective goal of building a collaborative and cohesive innovation ecosystem, applicants are strongly encouraged to form partnerships with organizations or institutions engaged in similar or complementary work. This approach fosters alignment among service providers and enhances the impact of funded initiatives.

  • This is a high-level overview of the types of expenses that are eligible and ineligible for funding. Please refer to the linked Community Initiatives Information Package document for detailed information on eligible/ineligible expenses.

    Eligible Expenses:

    • Labour: Up to 25% of the total funding for salaries (excluding benefits) related to program activity. Professional training and development essential for the program's success.

    • Materials: Reasonable costs for designing and producing learning materials and collateral for attendees.

    • Marketing & Promotion: Paid social media promotion that provides value exceeding the cost.

    • Capital Assets & Software: Software necessary for data reporting, initiative implementation, or improving information sharing with ERIN.

    • Sub-Contractors: Costs associated with using subcontractors to develop new programs or curricula.

    • Food & Venue Costs: Venue fees and food/beverage expenses (up to $25 per person, per day).

  • ERIN will hold a call for proposals in spring 2025, providing an opportunity to apply for funding. The application period will open on February 17, 2025 and close on March 28, 2025. Applicants are required to complete the application form and submit it for review.

    Once submitted, all applications will be reviewed by the ERIN Community Initiatives Sub-Committee. The committee will vote on which initiatives will receive funding and determine the funding amount, up to a maximum of $10,000. Funding decisions will be based on how well the application meets the established criteria.

    Final decisions will be communicated to all applicants by April 30, 2025.

  • Each application will be evaluated across 8 key metrics:

    • Total value, impact, and volume of entrepreneurs benefitting

    • Need being addressed in the Edmonton ecosystem

    • Applicant’s ability to execute the initiative

    • Clearly defined goals and key performance indicators

    • Support received from partner organizations (in-kind and financially)

    • The ongoing sustainability of the initiative

    • Strength of the budget, emphasizing reasonable, eligible costs and responsible spending

    • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, demonstrating meaningful and thoughtful practices

    Scores will be assigned based on how well the application meets each of these criteria. Each criterion is weighted according to its importance in the overall evaluation process.

  • The ERIN team will offer support through a series of Information Sessions to help guide you through the application process. These sessions will take place on:

    If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, please email manager@edmontonrin.ca, and we can arrange for someone to answer your questions. Please remember that if you would like support with your submission, requests must be made no later than 10 business days before the application deadline. Please note that review requests made after this time may not be possible.


The funding we received helped us turn a dream into a reality. Upstart was born out of the desire to help creatives hone their entrepreneurial skills to be able to forge liveable careers in the arts, and the support from ERIN gave us the funds to incorporate an organization and begin engaging our community. We use a combination of social workshops, social events and panel discussions to promote entrepreneurship and innovation, none of which would have been possible without ERIN.
— Sam Brooks, Creative Professional

Past Grant REcipients

From 2022 to 2025, we proudly allocated $393,000 to fund small-scale programs and events that strengthen the Edmonton Innovation Ecosystem. Over this period, we supported 56 outstanding community initiatives. Below are a few of our grant recipients.

The support from Edmonton Regional Innovation Network for the BBE Trade Fair 2024 played a fundamental role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within our diverse community. Your commitment amplified the opportunities for local businesses to thrive and strengthened the ecosystem for collaboration, growth, and success across multiple sectors.
— Ibukun Orefuja, Founder, Black Business Edmonton
 
 

The Edmonton Regional Innovation Network’s Geographic Focus.

 

Disclaimer

The Edmonton RIN is not liable for any risks associated with funded initiatives such as inappropriate or inaccurate content, injury, loss of or damage to personal property, among other things. 

 

Community Initiatives Sub-Committee

The purpose of the Community Initiatives Sub-committee is to support innovation-based community initiatives which foster connection and cooperation within the Edmonton innovation ecosystem.

Chair:

  • Dipo Alli, Black Business Ventures Association

Sub-Committee members:

  • Rajesh Jaiswal, NABI

  • Amanda MacDonald, St. Albert Economic Dev

  • Nicole Del Alba, Prairies Canada

  • Randal Adcock, Wayfinders Business Co-operative

  • Chloe Xing-Schimpf, RBC

  • Mike Riou, Alberta Innovates (Ex-Officio)

  • Manager, ERIN (Ex-Officio)

At ERIN, we are proud to have Committee Members who are devoted volunteers, working to support entrepreneurs and drive innovation. Their contributions are essential to the thriving ecosystem of innovative businesses in the Edmonton region, and we are thankful for their dedication.