BFN Smart Start Awards

Overview of the BFN Smart Start Awards program:

The Black Founders Network (BFN) Smart Start Awards, supported by KPMG, aim to provide financial and non-financial support to early-stage Black entrepreneurs and their ideas. Each award is valued at $4,000 CAD and determined through a comprehensive evaluation and community selection process based on entrepreneurial merit. In addition to funding, award recipients will receive access to tailored mentorship and BFN Core programming to support the development of their business, product or service.

Benefits of the BFN Smart Start Awards program:

• Each award is valued at $4,000 CAD and recipients will receive membership to the ONRamp community and co-working space at the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Eligibility criteria of the BFN Smart Start Awards program:

• To be eligible for the BFN Smart Start Award, applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Have a U of T affiliation as a current student, alumni, or working with a U of T campus-linked accelerator.
• Self-identify as Black
• Have an idea or innovation in the idea stage or pre-revenue phase (industry/sector agnostic)
• Have demonstrated entrepreneurial merit and mindset
• Must complete U of Ts IP Education Level 1 course to be considered for a final interview (this can be done after you submit your initial application, but **MUST** be completed before April 29th).