Synergy Foundation is seeking early-stage start-ups and established businesses and non-profits with new ideas for sustainable products or services to join their sixth cohort of the Project Zero Incubator Program.
Accepted participants will receive support to write their business plans, learn entrepreneurial and operational skills, connect one-on-one with mentors, and develop their business pitches for future investors. The eight-month program supports innovators whose solutions lead the way toward a regenerative circular economy and runs virtually from April through December 2024.
Through the financial support for Synergy Foundation’s Strategic Partner, Vancity Credit Union, the Incubator is free to all successful applicants. To be eligible, applicants must be:
- Based in BC
- Planning to develop their organization in BC
- Operating a business/non-profit/product/ service in its concept stage or that makes under $500,000 in revenue
You can register for a virtual info session happening on Friday, January 19, at 12 pm to learn more about the program and ask questions by clicking the link below.
VIRTUAL INFO SESSION REGISTRATION
Applications for the 2024 intake are now open and will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Monday, February 26th. More details about the incubator program, including the application form, can be found at www.project-zero.ca/bc-incubator.
Past Project Zero Incubator participants from the Cowichan Valley include Ergo Eco Solutions (2019 cohort), BioFlame (2020 cohort), and Cow-Op (2021 cohort).
What is the circular economy?
Our current economic system follows a “take-make-waste” linear model, which is resource-intensive and generates high emissions and waste. The circular economy eliminates pollution and waste by retaining resources and manufactured goods within the system through innovation, reuse and repair, redistribution, recondition, and recycling processes, all of which are powered by renewable energy. These innovations enable affordable lifestyles and empower new ventures that create green jobs for the future. In the Cowichan region, the Vancouver Island Coast Economic Developers Association (VICEDA) in partnership with Synergy Foundation have been busy working on helping businesses adopt circular principles, reduce waste and emissions, and develop innovative practices.
More on Project Zero
Project Zero is an initiative of the Synergy Foundation focused on circular economy innovation that engages the private sector, local governments, universities and colleges, and non-profits towards a shared vision for British Columbia and beyond. Since 2019, Project Zero has been changing the narrative about waste to one that is focused on resource efficiency, economic opportunity, and social equity. To date, Project Zero has supported 59 ventures operating within the circular economy to launch their businesses.
More on Synergy Foundation
Synergy Foundation is a non-profit with a mission to activate change, spark innovation and share ideas to steer our economy and communities towards a more regenerative future. Other Synergy initiatives include BC Green Businesses, FED Urban Agriculture, and the Ecostar Awards.
