Incubate | SEIZE (Solidarity Economy Incubation Zone)

We incubate so you can
BUILD organizations that
lead the transition to
a better economy!

Our incubator provides training,
networks, and funding for
worker-led businesses.

Incubator.

noun

seize edits

a place where newly birthed worker-led projects are
supported and nurtured into empowered to become
self-sustaining organizations with the capacity to change the
world for the people and the planet.

How?

-resources & network
-support services
-funding

Like most incubators we offer
funding and networks.

We also offer a range of vital
services for enterprise development:

Discover

SEIZE offers the “Fundamentals of the Solidarity Economy” 8-week curriculum to anyone who wants a crashcourse in discovering the Social Solidarity Economy and navigating their place within it! Additionally check out our organizational event calendar for other relevant educational events offered by our members and allies across the SEIZE network.

Design

SEIZE accompanies project leaders throughout the ideation and design process. We help your SSE project to reach its potential with consultative support across core functional areas such as: Value Proposition Development, Business Model Validation, Partnerships and Collaborations, Community Development Strategy, and Feasibility Assessments.

Build

SEIZE supports project leaders to build cooperatives and social enterprises by providing resources, guidance, mentorship and a cooperative environment. Specifically, the SSE projects that SEIZE incubates benefit from our development framework, walking project leaders step-by-step to reach key milestones. Our framework integrates traditional components of business planning with SSE-based resources, aligning effective growth with authentic values.

Develop

SEIZE empowers people on the ground to develop their SSE projects. Through the Social Economy Mentorship Internship (SEMI) Program, SEIZE is focused on giving people a positive experience in applying the development of their soft and hard skills to the advancement of SSE projects. SEIZE also provides direct organizational development and business planning consultation services to its incubating projects.

Support

The strength of the SEIZE support network comes from continuous ongoing engagement with both our current and past incubated projects. SEIZE builds solidarity across our network through facilitating collaborations, supporting outreach efforts, community mobilizations, and providing consultations and training workshops as needed.

SEIZE isn’t a traditional business incubator – SEIZE strategically incubates sectors and organizations that are leading the transition to a new economy. To see if your project qualifies, check out our incubation selection criteria below:

Feasibility

Does the idea resonate with people?

Fitness of concept/idea

Survivability/durability 

Resources available

Capacity

Does it have the bones to stand on it own?

Skills around the table/being developed

Demonstrable dedication to the project

Additional supports and advisors

Network Synergy

Does it compliment the other seeds we are sowing?

Opportunities for building solidarity

Economic integration with the SSE

Value add to SSE network

SEIZE Alignment

Does it fit within the direction we are paddling?

Strategic direction/vision alignment

Scope of incubation support request

SEIZE internal capacity to provide what the project needs

To schedule an initial consultation and apply for incubation services from SEIZE, please fill out the expression of interest form below:

Up to 5 projects per year, are eligible to receive:

Quarterly coaching sessions

Access to shared development resources (software, legal, HR, administrative, etc.)

$1000 in project seed funding

Here are some of the businesses that
we’ve incubated:

 
 

Some of our current projects include:

Additional Support Programs Include:

Social Economy Mentorship Internship [SEMI] Program

The SEMI program aims to foster professional development in the world of the social solidarity economy (SSE) by pairing experienced mentors with aspiring individuals seeking to develop a project or to learn new skills. The SEMI program is designed to support the development of your soft and hard skills while you contribute meaningfully to an SSE project. Apply with your own project or be placed as an intern with an active SSE project.

To learn more about our projects, get in touch with our General Coordinator at projects[@]solidarityeconomy.ca