Fuel Innovation

Fuel Innovation, the City of Orillia's Innovation Collective, is managed by the City’s Business Development, Tourism, and Modernization Division and supported by the Innovation Collective Operating Committee. It aims to streamline processes and provide support, making it easier and more accessible for local and regional entrepreneurs to participate in and grow their businesses within the innovation economy.

Fuel Innovation creates and supports new ideas, products, and services. The goal of the Fuel Innovation is to attract and support entrepreneurs with diverse backgrounds, skills, and experiences to collaborate, explore and implement digital technologies that create new solutions to solve existing challenges and problems, which results in innovative economic growth. This type of environment fosters creativity, experimentation and risk-taking, which are all essential components of innovation.

 

Intellectual Property (IP) – Fundamentals for Your Business

Fuel Innovation in partnership with the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre (HBEC) and Georgian College, are offering a FREE workshop to help local entrepreneurs and businesses understand Intellectual Property (IP). The workshop, titled "Intellectual Property (IP) – Fundamentals for Your Business," will take place on Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Orillia Public Library.

This hands-on session, led by experts from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and HBEC, will cover essential IP topics and include personalized one-on-one networking opportunities. The goal is to equip local businesses with the knowledge and resources to protect their IP and succeed in today’s competitive market.

Registration is available at bit.ly/IP-Fuel. 

Click here to view workshop flyer.

 

 

 More on Fuel Innovation:

Operating Committee Information

The Innovation Collective will be supported by an operating committee consisting of members from Lakehead University, Orillia Area CDC, Georgian College, Simcoe County, the City of Orillia and two innovation experts from the local community. Orillia Council will provide its support through a liaison team of Mayor Don McIsaac and Coun. Whitney Smith. The liaison team will also include an additional business leader within the community who will be responsible to report back to Council semi-annually with progress updates on the objectives and outcomes of the Innovation Collective.

See information on the Innovation Collective Operational Committee Expression of Interest.

Past Events

 

TARA Talks in Orillia 

Welcome to TARA Talks, where ambitions turn into reality! Fuel Innovation, in collaboration with the Sandbox Centre Barrie, is excited to bring TARA Talks, a business skills and professional development conference for female-identifying entrepreneurs and business leaders to Orillia. TARA Talks promises to be a transformative day filled with insightful discussions, empowerment, and valuable connections.  

When: Thursday, September 12th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Where: Creative Nomad Studios (23 Mississaga St. W., Orillia)

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. 

Click link below or scan QR code to register:

        

We will hear from inspiring keynote speakers who will share their stories and insights throughout the day. You will leave with tangible tools to augment your professional development. You can read more about Business Key Takeaways here.

Want to get involved with TARA Talks? 

Be a part of an inspiring journey of TARA Talks in Orillia and champion the growth and success of women entrepreneurs and women in business by sponsoring the conference. 

To become a sponsor or for more information on sponsorship packages, please contact Prerna Sharma, Manager, Fuel Innovation at psharma@orillia.ca or 705-826-4399. 

 Access sponsorship package here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

 Who is TARA Talks for?
Women in business at any stage, in any industry, and any role. Female-identifying, business owners, leaders, founders, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and all other women in business looking to grow, and add tools to augment your professional development. 
Is there parking?
Metered street parking along with Municipal Permit Parking is available. Green P Parking lots at Mississaga St West, Andrew St. South and Peter St. South are also available.
 Will the event be offered virtually?
 This is an in-person event with the opportunity to network and meet other local entrepreneurs and business leaders.
 Is the venue accessible?
 Our event is held on the second floor and there is an elevator for those guests in need.

 

 

Affordable Housing Webinar presented by CMHC, hosted by City of Orillia

Hear from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) advisor on Affordable Housing Federal funding programs and loans available. Hosted by the City of Orillia  

 

During this webinar, CMHC advisor will discuss the following: 

  • Overview of the National Housing Strategy 
  • Federal funding for the construction and preservation of affordable housing 
  • Program requirements and opportunities to collaborate with housing providers to build strong communities 
  • Examples of successful partnerships with different levels of government in Ontario. 

 

Please join us and register for this free webinar May 29th from noon – 1 pm on Teams.  

To register: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e21e218a-e39d-4684-be12-62e1ba80d23e@558ca041-6720-45eb-8198-5f863b065b16

 

 

City of Orillia Grant Writing 101-Webinar: April 10, 2024

 

Writing a grant is a big undertaking. If you are new to grant writing or are looking for ways to improve this skillset, join us for a free upcoming Grant Writing 101 Webinar. During this virtual seminar, City of Orillia Grant Writers Janette McGee and Sarah Melody will discuss the following:

  • Grant writing basics and tips for grant writers.
  • City staff will discuss grant writing best practices and help you understand what to know at various stages of the grant writing process.
  • Share some available grants that you can apply to.
  • You will learn how to find grants, prepare materials, write budgets, decode what the funders are asking for, and more.

These tips will help increase your understanding of grant writing for non-profits and for profits and improve your odds of success.

Please join us and register for a free virtual seminar on April 10th from noon- 1 pm on Zoom.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mDp6ZO-gQVS7PDsQdtYRwQ#/registration

 

 

Business After 5: March 20, 2024

 

Fuel Innovation is excited to meet the community as it hosts the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce Business After 5 event on March 20, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Lakehead University (500 University Avenue). 

 

This event will serve as an avenue for the public and members of Orillia’s business and entrepreneurship community to meet the team behind the new innovation collective, Fuel Innovation, and learn about its services. 

 

Admission is free, but registration is required: https://www.orillia.com/events/details/business-after-five-march-2024-847?calendarMonth=2024-03-01

 

Cybersecurity Workshop: October 10, 2023

 

Calling Simcoe County’s business community! Are you aware of the cybersecurity risks that could be lurking within your business?

In today’s digital age, protecting your business from cyber threats is non-negotiable.

Join us on October 10, 2023 from 4pm-5:30pm at the Orillia Public Library for a Cybersecurity Workshop, where we’ll empower you with the knowledge and tools to safeguard your business from potential risks.

What You’ll Gain:

  • Practical knowledge to assess and identify cybersecurity risks
  • Strategies for mitigating these risks effectively
  • Personalized risk mitigation plans for your business
  • Increased awareness and preparedness in the face of cybersecurity challenges

Our expert project team, in collaboration with Orillia Area CDC and White Tuque is dedicated to helping you protect your business from cybersecurity threats.

Information & Resources

News Release - March 1, 2023: Orillia to launch Innovation Collective

Council Report - February 28, 2023: Innovation Collective

For more information, please contact innovationcollective@orillia.ca

Contact(s)