SDG Idea Factory: A space transforming ideas to action!

The SDG Idea Factory officially opened its doors in the spring of 2023. The concept for a SDG focused space where ideas could be developed and shared emerged out of consultation with social entrepreneurs across the region. When asked how their work could be better supported – the community overwhelmingly asked for a space where they could gather with like minded individuals and where their innovative ideas could be nurtured. 

Located in the heart of Downtown Kitchener, the SDG Idea Factory made its home in an existing building (former bank) that was sitting in trust, slated for a future capital expansion project by the City of Kitchener. With recognized need in the community this asset was quickly transformed into a SDG-focused learning and innovation hub, under the guidance of the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre (WRSBC) and other valued partners. Today the SDG Idea Factory is open to people wanting to start a business, helping them to understand and use the SDGs. With event space, hot-desking and SDG focused programming they are also bringing the SDGs to a broader community audience.  

Since opening, the SDG Idea Factory has hosted a series of “SDG Talks” which bring in local experts to discuss pressing issues and welcomed a number of esteemed guests, including the former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Elizabeth Dowdeswell, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

SDGs on the Ground 

Having a physical space dedicated to the SDGs has created lots of buzz and opportunities for new connections. For Naudia Banton, Manager of WRSBC and the SDG Idea factory the space provides opportunities to bring in new people with new ideas. The doors of the SDG Idea Factory are open to people wanting to start a company and introducing the goals from the onset, telling them about the tenants, and what we do in the space, eg) hot desk, event space, rentals, education and programming.

Their popular “SDG Talks” series has been a great example of local knowledge sharing around the SDGs. These events are really about having focused conversations about the SDGs that are directly connected to local people and community context. Since 2023, the SDG Idea Factory has hosted 13 SDG Talks with a goal of addressing all 17 SDGs. The events also serve as a way to highlight the amazing SDG work already happening in the community and region.

The space itself has been designed to inspire SDG conversations and action. Part of bringing the SDGs to life was the development of a large mural by artist Stephanie Boutari. The mural depicts the core values of the SDG Idea Factory as a place for ideas, innovation and creativity as we work together for a better future.

“Vision Building is about sustainability as a work in progress – that we should be continually striving to improve and build upon what we know and continue to learn. The multi-coloured geometric shapes draw inspiration from the icons of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; reimagined here as three-dimensional objects floating in space, in the process of being assembled into something new. It represents the coming together, building upon, and transparency of ideas – with the aim of encouraging an atmosphere of creative thinking and collaboration.”

SDG Idea Factory

In addition to being the home of the Water Region Small Business Centre, the SDG Idea Factory has a number of tenants that share commitment to the SDGs and to supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs. Tenants like Lift Off,  Waterloo Region Community Foundation, The Community Company, and For Us Girls Foundation not only demonstrate how the SDGs can be advanced, but they support others to get involved.

SDG Cities has also been a collaborator with WRSBC and the SDG Idea Factory offering SDG Storytelling Workshops to an enthusiastic group of entrepreneurs and community leaders in the spring of 2023. These kinds of partnerships make it possible to bring a wide range of programming to the space drawing on existing expertise and networks in the community.

What’s Next for the SDG Idea Factory 

The SDG Idea Factory is home to WRSBC programs like the Starter Company, Summer Company and the New Early Sparks Program. Early Sparks is a new five-week introductory program that helps aspiring entrepreneurs learn to turn their ideas into businesses. With Early Sparks and other programming the space is inclusive and provides support for aspiring entrepreneurs of all kinds! WRSBC will soon launch programs at the SDG Idea Factory to support entrepreneurs as they work to implement the SDGs into their businesses. 

SDG Talks is an ongoing event series at the SDG Idea Factory. With 13 of 17 events completed discussing the goals, the team is planning for a big finale – SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals – where they hope to bring together all the local experts and entrepreneurs who have participated in the event series. 

The SDG Idea Factory will continue to be a space where entrepreneurs can connect and collaborate. Collaboration and partnership is also central to the mission of the SDG Idea Factory. In addition to ramping up their own program offerings they hope to keep finding opportunities to to extend their offerings through collaboration with their tenants and other community organizations. 

Thank you to Naudia Banton from the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre and the SDG Idea Factory for collaborating on this story.