Non-profit social enterprise · London, Ontario · since 2009
Ontario Initiative Network
We work with communities to develop solutions for key issues around immigrant entrepreneurship, and to build technology that makes financial literacy and entrepreneurship accessible to youth.
About OIN
Founded in 2009, Ontario Initiative Network (formerly Ontario Immigrant Network) is a non-profit social enterprise that works with communities to develop solutions for key issues focusing around immigrant entrepreneurship attraction, retention, and programming.
Currently, OIN is looking to broaden the impact and reach of its mandate through the development of technology and apps geared towards entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
Mission & vision
The FLY app
FLY (Financial Literacy for Youth) was an engaging and useful resource to help newcomer and Canadian youth alike build their skills in financial literacy and entrepreneurship: a way to track financial goals, reach educational tools, and connect to other resources.
It launched in 2016 on the web, iPhone and iPad, and Android, with the support of Libro Credit Union’s Prosperity Fund, and is now archived.
OIN in numbers
- Founded in London, Ontario
- 2009
- Of research on immigrants and business succession
- 18 months
- From Libro's Prosperity Fund for the FLY app
- $19,800
- In fees to the people we serve
- $0
How is OIN funded?
Our history
Ontario Immigrant Network is founded
A non-profit social enterprise in London, Ontario, working with communities on immigrant entrepreneurship attraction, retention and programming.A Labour Market Partnership
Eighteen months of research, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, on attracting and retaining immigrants in smaller communities, and a narrow focus from it: connecting immigrants to business succession opportunities.March 2012
Immigrants and Business Succession
Our second whitepaper, on how immigrant entrepreneurs can take over businesses whose owners are ready to retire.April 2012
Our inaugural conference
Immigrants as a Boost for our SMEs brought together stakeholders from across Southwestern Ontario to launch a business succession pilot in Sarnia-Lambton.The Lambton County pilot
With the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, OIN continued its pilot program in Lambton County with local economic development, settlement and workforce partners.Libro’s Prosperity Fund backs the FLY app
OIN is awarded $19,800 to build FLY, a financial literacy and entrepreneurship app for newcomer and Canadian youth.FLY launches
The FLY app is released on the web, iPhone and iPad, and Android. It has since been archived.Today
Ontario Initiative Network
A new name for a broader mandate: technology and apps for entrepreneurship and financial literacy, alongside our work with newcomers.
Publications
Immigrants and Business Succession
March 2012
An Ontario Immigrant Network whitepaper by David Stubbs on rural Southwestern Ontario’s ageing business owners, and immigrants as their successors.
Business Succession Conference: Immigrants as a Boost for our SMEs
April 24, 2012
The flyer for our inaugural conference in Sarnia, with keynote speaker Julie Young-Marcellin.
From the blog
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Before I get to the exciting news, on behalf of Ontario Immigrant Network and the communities that we serve, I need to say this: Thank You Libro Credit Union…
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