The City of Toronto is working with the local Indigenous community to develop the Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ICIE). The ICIE is a space designed to give the Indigenous community an opportunity to explore their entrepreneurial aspirations by providing space, business programming, advisory services, mentorship supports, shared co-workspace, community event space and connections to business networks.
The City is committed to the ICIE being run by an Indigenous organization. A Leadership Advisory Circle including local Indigenous entrepreneurs and leaders has been established to provide advice and guidance to the City through the construction and business planning.
The ICIE will enhance and partner with related initiatives throughout the city and beyond. This will further advance economic opportunities for the 70,000-plus First Nation, Inuit, and Métis peoples that call Tkaronto home. More specifically, the City of Toronto wants to action number 92 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls To Action, which states: “Ensure that Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the corporate sector, and that Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects.”
The ICIE facility is situated in a street-accessed commercial and community space located in a multi-storey condominium building at 200 Dundas Street East. Indigenous cultural elements are designed and embedded throughout the interior and exterior space. When construction is complete, it will comprise over 22,000 sq. ft. of commercial space spread over three floors:
There will be short and long-term leased office spaces available, boardrooms and meeting rooms available to rent, kitchen facilities for catering, a knowledge centre, a lounge area and event space, among other amenities. For more information, please review the Backgrounder.
With a planned opening of 2023, the City of Toronto is receiving expressions of interest from businesses considering co-locating at the ICIE. Please note, this application is a preliminary expression of interest for potential tenancy.
Potential Tenancy – Expression of Interest Form
The City is currently in the process of establishing an Indigenous led governance and operating system for the ICIE. Therefore, commitments regarding tenancy will not be made until decisions on the governance and operations for the ICIE are completed.
Strategic partnerships will be paramount to the long-term success of ICIE. With a planned opening of 2023, the City of Toronto is receiving expressions of interest from aligned organizations interested in establishing partnerships. Please note, this application is a preliminary expression of interest for potential partnerships.
Potential Partnerships – Expression of Interest Form
The City is currently in the process of establishing an Indigenous led governance and operating system for the ICIE. Therefore commitments will not be made until decisions on the governance and operations for the ICIE are completed.