SDG Idea Factory, Kitchener

Description

The SDG Idea Factory is a first-of-its-kind entrepreneurship hub that supports the development of new start-ups and small businesses focused on social and environmental innovation, and equity deserving entrepreneurs who collaborate and activate the UN SDGs. The SDG Idea Factory includes 20,000 square feet of space, with bookable meeting rooms, hot desks, a training/boardroom, co-working offices, a large event space and common area meeting space. The space was renovated with sustainable materials including recycled carpet and upcycled furniture.

Partners

The SDG Idea Factory works in close partnership with local organizations including LiftOff by CCAWR, Waterloo Region Community Foundation, For Us Girls Foundation, Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest and the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre.

Beneficiaries

Small business entrepreneurs, non-profits in Kitchener and the broader region.

Details

This newly-launched space celebrates start-up innovation and the SDGs together in one place, and is UCLG's first Local4Action Hub in North America, which will allow local and regional governments to share ground-breaking projects that can transform global policies. With 13 Local4Action Hubs already established around the world, Kitchener has now joined this global movement in hopes that the local innovation can be shared throughout Canada and across our planet.

Additional information

Goal 8
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Goal 9
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Goal 17
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development
17.1
Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including through international support to developing countries, to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection

Government
People
Planet

The Idea Factory was launched in May 2023 and itself is the tangible deliverable/outcome of several years of partnership-building and planning.

Financing (in USD)
In-kind contribution