To encourage innovation and cultivate diversity and inclusion, ventureLAB, in partnership with York Region, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF). This year’s fund supports both non-profit organizations that strengthen inclusive innovation ecosystems, and entrepreneurs driving the future of Cleantech and Agri-Tech in the region.
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund provides direct support to emerging leaders, non-profits, startups, accelerators, and community partners helping them scale impact-driven projects that foster economic growth, sustainability, and inclusion across York Region and beyond.
Stream 1: Non-Profit Organizations
In recognition of the vital role non-profits play in building inclusive and resilient communities, Stream 1 of the 2026 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund awards $10,000 each to two organizations empowering underrepresented and underserved communities through innovation and entrepreneurship.
We are pleased to announce the 2026 Stream 1 recipients:
Play Forever
Play Forever is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to removing financial and socioeconomic barriers for youth from underserved communities. Through free recreation, education, mentorship, health, and employment programs, we empower young people to build confidence, develop essential life skills, and access meaningful opportunities. Our programming serves youth aged 6–29 across Ontario and British Columbia, with a strong presence throughout York Region.
The Firehood
The Firehood is a Canadian innovation platform advancing women's participation in tech and closing the financing gap between early-stage funding and institutional venture capital. Founded in 2021, it supports high-potential companies across Southern Ontario in AI, cybersecurity, digital health, and cleantech, and has helped 45+ companies secure approximately $15M in private investment through angel syndication and VC partnerships.
Stream 2: Entrepreneurs and Startups Driving Agri-Tech and Cleantech Innovation
York Region continues to be a national leader in innovation and home to Canada’s second-largest tech hub and a rapidly growing Agri-Food ecosystem. Stream 2 of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund awards $10,000 each to York Region, affiliated startups advancing Agri-Tech and Cleantech innovation through groundbreaking technologies that support sustainable growth and environmental stewardship.
We are pleased to announce the 2026 Stream 2 recipients:
WirelessPnC
Wireless PnC Inc. is a Canadian clean technology company developing universal, intelligent wireless charging solutions for light electric and autonomous vehicles, including e-bikes, e-scooters, delivery robots, drones, and agricultural equipment. Our proprietary technology enables automatic charging without physical connectors or manual intervention, improving fleet reliability, reducing maintenance costs, and minimizing downtime. With four patent applications filed and successful technology validation through industry and academic partnerships, Wireless PnC is advancing toward commercial deployment to support sustainable mobility and autonomous fleet operations.
VCycene Inc.
VCycene Inc. is a Markham-based cleantech company headquartered at ventureLAB. We build LILA, a line of AI-powered smart composters that turn household and institutional food waste into finished, ready-to-use compost right on the device. On-board VisionAI classifies what goes in and CompostAI monitors the process to maturity, so customers get a genuine soil amendment rather than the dried byproduct produced by dehydrator-style appliances. LILA Pro is commercially shipping to customers across Canada and the US, and LILA Mini, a lower-cost compact model, is in pre-launch for its Kickstarter campaign. VCycene holds a granted US utility patent with additional patent families in prosecution, and is a graduate of ventureLAB's Hardware Catalyst Initiative and Accelerate AI programs.
Edgecom Energy
Edgecom Energy is a certified B Corporation founded in 2016 that provides AI-powered energy management solutions to help commercial and industrial (C&I) facilities reduce costs and emissions and earn revenue through grid participation. Deployed across 256+ facilities in Canada and the U.S., our platform manages over 1 GW of load and generates more than $350 million in annualized customer savings.
GreenVeil Packaging Inc
GreenVeil Packaging Inc. is a Canadian cleantech company developing biodegradable biocomposite materials and fibre-based products for food and agricultural applications. Its current products include plantable nursery pots and plug trays designed to remain durable throughout cultivation and biodegrade after planting, reducing agricultural plastic waste and eliminating the need to remove containers during transplantation.
Ecosystem Informatics Inc. (ESI)
Ecosystem Informatics Inc. is a Canadian environmental technology company specializing in advanced air quality monitoring, emissions detection, and environmental intelligence solutions. ESI combines patented AI-calibrated sensor technology, fixed and mobile monitoring systems, drone-based measurements, satellite data, and cloud-based analytics to deliver accurate, real-time environmental insights. Its solutions help governments, industries, and communities monitor pollution, detect greenhouse gas emissions, assess environmental impacts, and make data-driven decisions to improve air quality and sustainability.
ESGSAT
ESGSAT is a Canadian Agri-tech/Clean-tech venture deploying non-invasive sensors and predictive AI to detect food spoilage up to 10x earlier and optimize industrial cooling energy use by 20–30%. With EIF support, ESGSAT will pilot its AI-powered monitoring system with a York Region food processor, reducing food waste, lowering energy costs, and cutting Scope 2 emissions across one of Canada’s most important food and beverage processing hubs. The project will strengthen York Region’s innovation ecosystem by creating high-value AI jobs, generating proprietary clean-tech IP, and helping local manufacturers improve sustainability, productivity, and global competitiveness.
Nuria Scientific
Nuria Scientific is a Canadian clean-technology and advanced materials company developing circular manufacturing technologies that transform recovered materials into higher-value products. The company’s activities include the recovery and processing of polyester (PET) and development of recycled PET (rPET) for textile applications, advanced polymer materials, and next-generation battery separator applications. Nuria conducts R&D, material characterization, extrusion, polymer processing and pilot-scale manufacturing in Ontario, with a focus on developing Canadian-made materials for the textile, energy-storage and advanced manufacturing sectors.
About ventureLAB
ventureLAB is a leading global founder community for hardware technology and enterprise software companies in Canada. Located at the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor in York Region, ventureLAB is part of one of the biggest and most diverse tech communities in Canada. Our initiatives focused on raising capital, talent retention, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition have enabled thousands of companies to create over 7,000 jobs and raise more than $480 million in investment capital. ventureLAB is powering hardtech founders to build and scale globally competitive ventures that advance Canada’s knowledge-based economy.
About York Region
York Region is home to one of Canada’s most vibrant and diverse innovation ecosystems. As the second-largest tech hub in Canada and a leader in Agri-Food and Cleantech industries, York Region continues to foster an inclusive community that supports entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers from all backgrounds.
