VERGE Breakthrough Fund II (formerly Pillar Start-Up Fund)
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
This loan program now operates as VERGE Breakthrough Fund II, accepting applications from enterprises that serve a social, environmental, cultural or community mission in Southwestern Ontario. Typical social enterprise loans run up to $100,000; large-scale community infrastructure loans secured against the assets run up to $500,000. Applicants need demonstrated impact, an operating history of at least 1-2 years, current revenue with existing customers (or assets secured), and full-time experienced management — any industry sector, any stage of growth, and either a for-profit or non-profit structure. Loans are typically fixed rate with principal-and-interest repayments; rate, term, fees and security are set case by case.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a social enterprise with demonstrated impact
- Must be located in Southwestern Ontario; VERGE does not define the boundary, so confirm your municipality with VERGE
- Must have an operating history of at least 1-2 years
- Must currently be generating revenue with existing customers, or have assets secured
- Must have full-time experienced management
- Open to any industry sector, any stage of growth, and either organization structure — for-profit business or non-profit organization
- Must have a genuine social, environmental, cultural, or community mission embedded in the business model
- Must demonstrate a viable business case and debt repayment capacity
- Loans are typically fixed rate with repayments of principal and interest; the interest rate, repayment terms, application fees and security are determined on a case-by-case basis
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Social enterprise loans typically up to $100,000; large-scale community infrastructure loans secured against the assets up to $500,000
- Type
- Loan
- Level
- Private
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
How to qualify
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipVERGE Capital is relationship-driven — contact the VERGE team before submitting rather than sending a cold application; staff actively help applicants build their loan proposals.
Rejection Pitfalls 7
- Located outside Southwestern Ontario
Success Profile
Evaluation Criteria
Everything you need to secure VERGE Breakthrough Fund II (formerly Pilla...
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 7 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 8-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 4-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what lenders look for
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 8
Eligible Expenses 5
Ineligible Expenses 3
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskHow VERGE Breakthrough Fund II (formerly Pilla... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VERGE Breakthrough Fund II (formerly ... | up to $100,000 | Moderate | Loan | Ongoing |
| Social Finance Fund (SFF) | $25,000-$5,000,000 | Moderate | Loan | SPOs access capital... |
| Ontario Job Grant (formerly Canada-On... | Up to $10,000 per employee | Easy | Varies | Ongoing — year-round... |
| Ontario Innovation Tax Credit | Up to 8% tax credit | Moderate | Tax Credit Offset | Ongoing |
| Commercial Façade Improvement Grant P... | Up to $12,500 (50% of costs) | Easy | Reimbursement | Annual Intake |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about VERGE Breakthrough Fund II (formerly Pilla...