In response to their clients, Toronto-based entrepreneurs, and corporate engagement partners from legal, tax, and PR firms, we designed a multi-functional fundraising program at MaRS Discovery District.

Wikipedia defines innovation as the practical implementation of ideas that result in introducing new goods or services improving the offering of goods or services. When thinking outside the box on how to structure a collaborative working relationship between entrepreneurs and service-based firms, the Service Provider Program was the ideal solution. 

While designing this new program that grew to generate over $100,000 in unrestricted donations annually, we spoke to entrepreneurs to better understand what services they required at different stages in building their businesses. As prompted by their answers, we then asked service-based firms to provide a list of services they could offer for free or at an affordable rate. We built a model that provided expertise to entrepreneurs on services such as media training, IP and patent filing, government relations and tax filing. The entrepreneurs were then able to further their businesses, and the service providers were able to make connections to new clients that generated income and built long-standing relationships. Plus, junior employees were trained at each firm while gaining access to cutting-edge innovation. It was a win-win-win.

Feedback is critical when testing a new program; that remains the core of this program's success. But being fearless in trying and possibly failing (or succeeding!) was the real win.