A FedDev Ontario program designed for the entrepreneurs the system has historically underserved.
The Southern Ontario Inclusive Business Accelerator & Innovation Hub (SOIBAI) is a proposed three-year initiative of Canada Settlement Platform. We combine settlement-sector insight with proven accelerator practice to support 500 newcomer, women, racialized and underrepresented entrepreneurs across the region.
Equitable economic participation for every entrepreneur in Southern Ontario.
SOIBAI removes barriers — language, capital, networks, digital literacy — that prevent capable founders from launching and growing resilient Canadian businesses.
Outcome-driven
Every cohort measured against concrete jobs, revenue and adoption outcomes.
Inclusive by design
Bilingual delivery, settlement-sector intake and culturally responsive mentorship.
Regionally rooted
Delivered through six regional innovation hubs across Southern Ontario.
Digital-first
AI, CRM, automation and cybersecurity supports embedded throughout.
Program at a glance
- Funder
- FedDev Ontario (proposed)
- Delivery
- Canada Settlement Platform
- Duration
- 3 years (2026–2029)
- Reach
- Southern Ontario — 6 regional hubs
- Languages
- English & French (bilingual)
- Target participants
- 500 entrepreneurs
- Businesses supported
- 150
- Jobs created
- 30+
- Partnerships
- 15
- Digital adoption supports
- 100
Continuous, data-driven, founder-centred.
Intake
Settlement-aware screening and stage assessment.
Train
9-course academy spanning foundations to export.
Accelerate
1:1 mentorship + accelerator sprints by sector.
Scale
Funding readiness, digital adoption and exports.