Applications Now Open: Transform Your Tourism Idea into Reality with the Spark Program

The Spark Mentorship and Grants Program is ready to help you transform your sustainable tourism idea into reality.

The program provides selected applicants with a $3,000 grant, expert mentorship from industry professionals, and additional partner support to get you started.

The Bruce County Spark Mentorship and Grants Program is a partnership between Bruce County, Bruce Power, Grey Bruce Simcoe Regional Tourism Organization (RTO7) and the Tourism Innovation Lab.  

“The tourism landscape is evolving rapidly. Through the Spark Program, we're empowering Bruce County entrepreneurs to create the next generation of visitor experiences that will set the region apart," says Chief Executive Officer of RTO7, Bill Sullivan.

We're Looking for Ideas That:
✓ Enhance Bruce County's existing tourism landscape
✓ Create high-quality, low-impact visitor experiences
✓ Fill gaps in current tourism products and services
✓ Encourage longer stays and repeat visits
✓ Increase shoulder season tourism and spending
✓ Demonstrate genuine sustainability

Who Can Apply? 
Entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations located in Bruce County.

Rewarding Innovation in Our Community 
“We're investing in the future of Bruce County's tourism economy by supporting local entrepreneurs who see opportunity where others see challenges. The Spark Program connects innovative thinking with the resources needed to succeed,” says Bruce County Warden Luke Charbonneau.

“Innovation drives economic growth, and we're proud to back entrepreneurs who are creating sustainable tourism experiences that benefit our entire community. The Spark Program aligns with our commitment to supporting local business development,” says John Peevers, director of community and media relations, and economic development at Bruce Power.

The Spark Program is celebrating its seventh year of transforming innovative ideas into successful tourism businesses, including farm stays, culinary experiences and dynamic arts and culture programs.

“Since launching in 2019, the Bruce County “Spark” Program has continued to showcase the creativity, drive, and innovative thinking of local tourism entrepreneurs. Last year’s winners developed exciting new experiences and we’re thrilled to keep building on that momentum. We look forward to uncovering and supporting more great sustainable tourism ideas across the region,” says Alex Berlyand, program lead of Tourism Innovation Lab.

The window to apply is open from September 3 to October 15, 2025.  A juried review process will select finalists who will then participate in a Pitch Session, which will result in the selection of this year’s winners.

For more information on the Bruce County Spark Program and to register for an upcoming information session, visit www.tourisminnovation.ca/bruce.

About Bruce Grey Simcoe Regional Tourism Organization (RTO7): Regional Tourism Organization (RTO) 7 is a non-profit organization overseen by a board of directors and fully funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. They are one of 11 RTO’s in Ontario supporting tourism growth in Bruce Grey and Simcoe Counties.

About Tourism Innovation Lab: The Tourism Innovation Lab is a non-profit initiative created to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships, to cultivate and propel collaborations between the tourism and tech sectors, and to build a community of tourism innovators, idea makers and entrepreneurs in Canada. First launched in 2018, the Lab and its "Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program are now offered across British Columbia and Ontario. The Tourism Innovation Lab is a program of Hackforge and is based in Windsor, ON. 

About Bruce Power: Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and cancer-fighting medical isotopes around the world. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is a Canadian-owned partnership of TC Energy, OMERS, the Power Workers’ Union and The Society of United Professionals. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Bruce County: Bruce County is an upper-tier municipality in Southwestern Ontario, Canada made up of eight lower-tier municipalities and 77,221 residents. Bruce County is located within the traditional territory of the Saugeen Anishnaabek and holds a government-to-government relationship with the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and Saugeen First Nation, together as Saugeen Ojibway Nation. The explorers who visit, live, and work here are the dreamers who take roads less travelled and see tried and true as an invitation to try something new. Be an Explorer and call Bruce County home.