## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. Markdownify 3. Node 4. [Call for Submissions: The 2027 Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs](/markdownify/node/4995) January 11, 2027 # Call for Submissions: The 2027 Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs ![Gradient green and blue background with plants in the foreground](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2026-10/Seedfund2026-27-Website_notext_29-10-26.jpg.webp?itok=uIZhRQ1t) rgb(255,255,255) #### **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 - Access to Enterprise Awards by TD Bank Group #### **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)](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbramptonartsorg.ca%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cghazal.vakilzadeh%40ocadu.ca%7Cb9c98481dff54a297a0e08df4015d36a%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C639300134642773969%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=01%2FXtQbxvsMfwnKKsKLUMvUJXIHXVzB4LKyA%2BUn72oM%3D&reserved=0 "https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbramptonartsorg.ca%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cghazal.vakilzadeh%40ocadu.ca%7Cb9c98481dff54a297a0e08df4015d36a%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C639300134642773969%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=01%2FXtQbxvsMfwnKKsKLUMvUJXIHXVzB4LKyA%2BUn72oM%3D&reserved=0") is a non-profit that champions Brampton's diverse arts, culture and creative industries and advocates for the #BramptonArtist.  **About the TD Access to Enterprise Awards** *(new)* The TD Access to Enterprise 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**](https://ocadu-cead.typeform.com/Seedfund2026-27) **Questions?** Email [entrepreneurship@ocadu.ca](mailto:entrepreneurship@ocadu.ca "mailto:entrepreneurship@ocadu.ca") ## Other Recent News [### The OCAD U Mystery Art Sale Whodunit? Is Back! More than a decade ago, the Whodunit? Mystery Art Sale was a hugely popular OCAD U tradition, drawing crowds and even public line-ups outside the doors. Now, we’re bringing it back for a new generation. On April 3, 2027, the Great Hall will host a sale of 150 original works by OCAD U students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as artists and supporters from the broader community. March 5, 2027 ](/news/ocad-u-mystery-art-sale-whodunit-back) [### 2027 Akin Career Launcher Call For Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designersand Akin have partnered since 2016 to offer this amazing annual opportunity exclusive to OCAD U graduating artists. Two(2) successful applicants will be awarded $2,000 in credits to go towards a studio space at Akin’s shared work spaces in 2027-2028, and $450 in credit for use at Remote Gallery! January 31, 2027 ](/news/2027-akin-career-launcher-call-artists) [### Partial x OCAD University Artist Showcase Fall 2026 Call for Artists Partial and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of our partnership which provides an exceptional career opportunity for OCAD U student artists and recent alumni. Selected artists will be given complimentary 2 year Pro Accounts ($240 value) on Partial and permanent inclusion as featured artists within the OCAD University Artist Showcase on Partial to display their works, and administrate artwork sales and rentals. December 13, 2026 ](/index%2Ephp/news/partial-x-ocad-university-artist-showcase-fall-2026-call-artists) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### 2027 Akin Career Launcher Call For Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designersand Akin have partnered since 2016 to offer this amazing annual opportunity exclusive to OCAD U graduating artists. Two(2) successful applicants will be awarded $2,000 in credits to go towards a studio space at Akin’s shared work spaces in 2027-2028, and $450 in credit for use at Remote Gallery! January 31, 2027 ](/news/2027-akin-career-launcher-call-artists) [### Partial x OCAD University Artist Showcase Fall 2026 Call for Artists Partial and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of our partnership which provides an exceptional career opportunity for OCAD U student artists and recent alumni. Selected artists will be given complimentary 2 year Pro Accounts ($240 value) on Partial and permanent inclusion as featured artists within the OCAD University Artist Showcase on Partial to display their works, and administrate artwork sales and rentals. December 13, 2026 ](/index%2Ephp/news/partial-x-ocad-university-artist-showcase-fall-2026-call-artists) [### 2027 Sankofa Square Black History Month Digital Exhibition Call for Artists Sankofa Square and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of the annual Black History Month Digital Exhibition Career Launcher providing an exhibition opportunity for artists from the OCAD U community to exhibit their work on the square’s digital screens. Selected artists will receive a fee of $500 for their artworks to be displayed across five (5) digital screens for the duration of Black History Month in February 2027. December 6, 2026 ](/news/2027-sankofa-square-black-history-month-digital-exhibition-call-artists)