Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (R.A.I.S.E.) is a service and grant program developed and administered by the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA), the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) and in partnership with the Parkdale Centre for Innovation (PCI) to support Indigenous, Black and other Racialized entrepreneurs in Ontario to start and scale a business. R.A.I.S.E. will provide access to business development training, culturally responsive support services and access to grant funding. The program is funded by the Government of Ontario.

WHAT IS R.A.I.S.E.?

R.A.I.S.E. est un programme visant à aider les entrepreneurs autochtones, noirs et autres entrepreneurs racialisés à démarrer et à faire croître leur entreprise. Le programme offrira de l’encadrement, du mentorat, des services consultatifs et des subventions aux entrepreneurs qui cherchent à faire croître leur entreprise.

What are the steps of the program?

Thank you for your interest in the RAISE program. Due to an overwhelming response, the program is oversubscribed. By signing up you will be placed on a waitlist, have access to online resources and notified by email in the event grants become available.

Step 1:

Create an account on the Digital Main Street website (skip this step if you already have created an account)

CRÉER UN COMPTE MAINTENANT

Step 2:

Continue the intake process here. Once complete you will be connected with our partners at the Parkdale Center for Innovation:

The link to start intake will show once you have created your account and refreshed the page.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE R.A.I.S.E. PROGRAM ARE TO:

Provide non-repayable grants of up to $10,000 to eligible racialized small businesses and entrepreneurs upon the completion of a structured coaching program.

To deliver a coaching program that will provide individual business advice and coaching to applicants as part of the program to support implementation of the required business transformation plan.

Partenaires

Applicant Eligibility

RAISE is open to applicants that meet the following requirements:

	Est une entreprise enregistrée en Ontario et / ou est constituée en personne morale Employing 1-10 full time equivalent employees equivalent including sole proprietorship, and up to 25 employees for businesses in the hospitality sector N'est PAS une franchise, même si elle est détenue et exploitée individuellement; N'est PAS a wholesaler or manufacturer N'est PAS a not-for-profit or charitable organization

	Être détenue par : Indigenous, Noir ou racialized individual (mandatory self-identification is required in the application) 18 years of age or older Canadian citizens ou permanent residents currently living and operating their business in Ontario

	Has completed the application process, which includes: Initial application Online training 2 to 10 hours of Business Coaching Completed Business Transformation Plan

	Additional Notes May be a home-based business Owners with multiple businesses and/or locations may only apply for one grant French translation assistance will be available for applicants upon request

VEUILLEZ EXAMINER LA frequently asked questions for additional information.

VEUILLEZ EXAMINER LA notice of collection for additional information on collecting race-based data.

FRAIS ADMISSIBLES / NON ADMISSIBLES

Quelles dépenses sont admissibles? Quelles dépenses ne sont pas admissibles?

Fees for expertise/professional services (excluding owner/staff wages and salaries)
Marketing and communications costs (e.g. print media, signage, promotional ads etc.)
Costs related to digital transformation (e.g. website, digital marketing, software etc.).
Travel costs necessary to attain business transformation plan objectives

Capital costs including POS systems, small equipment and tools
Business related materials and supplies
Knowledge development activities (e.g. training, certifications etc.)
Costs related to attaining disability supports

Digital Main Street se réserve le droit de déterminer ce qui est considéré comme admissible ou non, au cas par cas. Cette liste non exhaustive n’est qu’un aperçu des meilleures pratiques.