Applications Now Open: The Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs 2026–27
Every business starts with an idea. The Seed Fund helps OCAD U students and recent alumni turn theirs into a real, revenue-generating creative business, with funding and hands-on mentorship from industry experts.
Awards:
- First place: $5,000
- Second place: $3,500
- Third place: $2,500
- Brampton Arts Organization Prize: $2,000
- Ample Labs Prize (social enterprise): $1,000
- TD Neurodivergent Awards
Who can apply:
Current OCAD U students and alumni from any program who graduated in 2024 or later, whose business has received less than $10,000 in funding or revenue.
How it works:
Submit your business plan. An external jury will select up to 10 finalists for a half-day, in-person mentorship roundtable on February 18, 2027. Finalists then refine and resubmit their plans, and winners are announced in April.
Get support:
- Application clinics: Fri. Dec. 11 and Fri. Dec. 18, 10 AM–3 PM (RSVP required)
- One-on-one advising through the Talent Network
Thank you to our partners
The Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs is made possible through the generous support of our partners.
About the Ample Labs Prize
The Ample Labs Prize is part of an endowed gift provided by OCAD U alumni and Ample Labs co-founders CG Chen and Geordie Graham. The prize supports students and recent alumni who want to launch a company tackling a social problem.
About the Brampton Arts Organization Prize
The Brampton Arts Organization Prize supports a creative business connected to Brampton. The
Brampton Arts Organization (BAO) is a non-profit that champions Brampton's diverse arts, culture and creative industries and advocates for the #BramptonArtist.
About the TD Neurodivergent Awards (new)
The TD Neurodivergent Awards support neurodivergent student and alumni entrepreneurs pursuing creative business ventures. These awards recognize the innovation, creativity, and unique perspectives neurodivergent founders bring to entrepreneurship and are intended to reduce barriers to participation in early-stage venture development.
Inclusivity Statement
OCAD U is committed to promoting access to this opportunity for equity-deserving groups that are underrepresented as creative entrepreneurs. We encourage applications from individuals of equity-deserving communities including racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions. Applicants are invited to voluntarily self-identify with any of these communities in their application.
Application Deadline: Monday, January 11, 2027, at 9:00 AM EST.
Late applications cannot be accepted.
Apply HERE
Questions? Email entrepreneurship@ocadu.ca
