The Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) has announced the launch of its 2017 Business Plan Competition. The competition is open to new non-profit social enterprises that provide transitional or permanent employment for people who are marginalized. A social enterprise is a business operated by a non-profit that sells goods and services in the market place, for the dual purpose of generating income and achieving a social, cultural or environmental goal. TEF always requires the submission of a comprehensive business plan; you can get started with your planning by visiting the "Thinking about Starting a Social Enterprise" and "Starting a Social Enterprise" pages.

This year, the deadline for submissions to the Competition is October 6, 2017. The first place winner can receive up to $75,000 in seed funding. A total of $155,000 is available for the winners.

Register by May 1
Create a feasibility study by June 23

To enter the competition, your organization or group must be starting a non-profit social enterprise, attend all the workshops (see content and dates below), create a feasibility study (by June 23) and finally submit a comprehensive business plan prior to the Oct 6 deadline. For more details on eligibility, please read through the eligibility criteria of the Business Plan Competition. If you plan to submit a business plan to the competition, please register for the workshops below.

Please note that in the future, TEF will not run a Business Plan Competition, but will have a different process for funding new social enterprises.

2017 TEF Business Planning Workshops

The workshops will be held at the United Way Office – 26 Wellington East, 12th Floor, Boardroom A.

• Introduction to Social Enterprise - Tuesday, May 2nd 1:00pm to 4:00pm
• Feasibility and Market Research - Friday, May 19th 9:30am to 12:30pm
• Social Programming Design - Friday, June 9th 9:30am to 12:30pm
• Financial Planning for Social Enterprise - Friday, June 26th 9:30am to 12:30pm

Register for the TEF Business Planning Workshop Series

If you require additional information, please check the website or contact 
Anne at (416) 777-1444 ext. 513 or ajamieson at uwgt.org or
Litza at (416) 777-1444 ext. 235 or lchatzibas at uwgt.org.

SOURCE: The Toronto Enterprise Fund