Social Innovation Studio
Bridging Research and Entrepreneurial Action for Impact
The Social Innovation Studio is a collaborative lab for change-making that brings together evidence-based migration research and entrepreneurial action. By pairing Toronto Metropolitan University’s Global Migration Institute with the Social Ventures Zone, this initiative merges research excellence with a proven innovation model.
Our goal is to empower students to design practical, sustainable solutions for the pressing social challenges faced by newcomers to Canada, while helping existing startups expand their positive impact in immigrant communities.
Migration is one of the defining global challenges of our time. Newcomers often encounter systemic barriers across employment, healthcare, civic participation, and essential infrastructure.
While the Global Migration Institute studies these complex dynamics and builds trusted community networks, the Social Ventures Zone nurtures a thriving ecosystem of early-stage social impact innovators. By bridging these two strengths, the Social Innovation Studio aims to:
- Mobilize academic research into tangible social solutions.
- Offer students hands-on, interdisciplinary experience within a fast-moving startup ecosystem.
- Build practical skills through dedicated entrepreneurship workshops and expert mentorship.
- Embed migration-aware, equity-centered approaches into growing startups.
What's in it for you?
For students
- A $1,600 stipend upon completion of all project milestones.
- Direct mentorship and real-world skills through dedicated entrepreneurship workshops.
- A portfolio-building project addressing real social challenges faced by newcomers.
- Networking opportunities with innovation leaders, startups, and community partners.
For startup ventures
- Fresh perspectives and targeted research solutions tailored to your operational needs.
- Talented researchers to help deepen your engagement with immigrant communities.
- Capacity building to integrate equity-centered, migration-aware strategies into your venture.
Participating startups are listed below
How it works
- Participating startups identify specific research gaps and opportunities where their business can better serve newcomer populations.
- Students apply to the Social Innovation Studio to undertake a targeted research project designed to bridge those gaps.
- Startups select the best students for their needs, through a competitive process.
- Over a 5-month period, selected students participate in specialized workshops, undergo training, and receive ongoing mentorship.
- The program concludes with a final showcase event where students, startups, partners, and innovation leaders gather to present their insights and outcomes.
Apply → Match → Train → Present
Program Timeline & Key Dates
- Applications Open: August 17 – September 27, 2026
- Job Fair: October 5, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (Social Ventures Zone)
- Successful Candidates Notified: October 17, 2026
- Department of Imaginary Affairs Workshop (Part 1): Saturday, November 15, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Department of Imaginary Affairs Workshop (Part 2) & Midpoint Review: Saturday, January 16, 2027 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Progress Check-Ins: February 1 – 5, 2027
- Final Showcase: March 3, 2027 (SLC Sandbox)
Ready to apply?
Participating Startups
English Islands
English Islands is a Science of Reading based Automated Literacy Tutor that boosts reading scores up to 19.3% in under four weeks while providing powerful assessment data to teachers, schools and districts.
Their Social Innovation Studio research question:
What key features of the English Islands platform most effectively facilitate early English literacy development for newcomer students, and what barriers affect their engagement?
Second Stage Dance
Second Stage Dance is a Canadian charity focused on making dance more accessible, affordable, and sustainable for all.
Their Social Innovation Studio research question:
What systemic, cultural, and logistical barriers prevent underserved newcomer communities from participating in extracurricular dance programs, and what culturally responsive outreach strategies can effectively bridge these gaps?
Seva Intelligence Inc
Seva is the shared infrastructure for neurodivergent care, helping families, clinicians, and schools capture longitudinal data that improves outcomes and reduces caregiver and provider burden.
Their Social Innovation Studio research question:
To what extent does Seva’s current care-coordination architecture meet the specific navigation needs of newcomer families with neurodivergent children, and what structural design gaps put these families at risk of missing early intervention windows?
Prestar
Prestar is a Canadian fintech fixing the high cost of short-term borrowing. Beyond providing fair credit, it offers financial education to help people build credit and achieve lasting resilience.
Their Social Innovation Studio research question:
What community-based channels and messaging strategies most effectively build financial trust among newcomers who are skeptical of formal financial institutions, and how can Prestar leverage these to drive product engagement?
Mayana
Mayana is a new era of women's intimates that boldly celebrates changing bodies, without trying to change them back.
Their Social Innovation Studio research question:
What cultural attitudes, stigmas, and support networks shape how immigrant women seek solutions for postpartum recovery and menopause, and how can brands authentically engage these communities?
PhonoLogic
PhonoLogic makes structured literacy seamless, simple and accurate through custom decodable texts, progress tracking, and precise scaffolding for every learner.
Their Social Innovation Studio research question:
In what ways do learners' cultural, linguistic, and educational backgrounds influence their engagement with our product, and what feature adaptations are necessary to support diverse learning contexts?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Applications close on September 27 at 11:59 PM ET. Please note that space is limited, and submitting an application does not guarantee a spot. Candidates will be selected by participating startups following the Job Fair on October 5, 2026.
Eligible applicants will be invited to the Social Ventures Zone to meet participating startups, learn about their specific research proposals, and submit their CVs for a competitive selection process led by each venture.
The studio is open to all TMU Graduate Students (MA & PhD) who are registered full-time or part-time during the 2026–2027 academic year. To remain eligible for the stipend, participants must commit to attending all in-person workshops, online progress meetings, and the Final Showcase.
Not at all. We strongly welcome students from all academic disciplines.
Eligible students who are selected and complete all program milestones (including workshop attendance, progress check-ins, and presenting at the Final Showcase) will receive the $1,600 stipend paid in a single lump sum after the Final Showcase.
For any questions regarding the program or application process, please reach out to Manal Khader, Manager at the Social Ventures Zone, at manal.khader@torontomu.ca (external link) .
