20 Toronto-Based Social Businesses

From Beneficial Wine Labels to Stuff-Sharing Enterprises

— January 8, 2013 — Social Good
This top list of Toronto-based social businesses are doing things a little differently, especially for the city in which the hybrid model isn't quite on the tip of everyone's tongue. I'm not quite sure what exactly Toronto is "known" for (in the multiverse sense of tourism, travel and icons) but most likely, for cuisine and multicultural, and multicultural cuisine, whatever that means these days. One thing is for sure: social entrepreneurship isn't that thing that comes to mind when you think of Toronto.

Place isn't everything, but when it comes to the tight-knit and ever growing social entrepreneurship community, space and place is often essential to creating a business model that is sustainable. You've got to have the right people, the right network and the right feeling in the air.
5.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
20
Opportunity-Spurring Delivery Services
Opportunity-Spurring Delivery Services
TurnAround Couriers Hires At-Risk Youth in Toronto
<
19
Hunger-Fighting Dining Discounts
Hunger-Fighting Dining Discounts
TangoTab Provides Cheap Meals and Donates to Food Banks
<
18
Digital Divide Connectors
Digital Divide Connectors
Talk2One is a Social Enterprise Connecting People to Communication
<
17
Diversity-Dedicated Tech Incubators
Diversity-Dedicated Tech Incubators
The Driven Accelerator Group Supports Minority Entrepreneurs
<
16
Ethical Organic Java Beans
Ethical Organic Java Beans
The Stonepound Coffee Company Brings Eco-Friendly Joe to Toronto
<
15
Maintenance Services Co-ops
Maintenance Services Co-ops
Self-Reliance Solutions Creates Employment Opportunities in Toronto
<
14
Social Entrepreneurship Publications
Social Entrepreneurship Publications
SEE Change Magazine is a First for Canada
<
13
Beneficial Nonprofit Wine Labels
Beneficial Nonprofit Wine Labels
The Little Grape That Could is an Altruistic Toronto Vino Brand
<
12
Stuff-Sharing Social Enterprises
Stuff-Sharing Social Enterprises
Unstash Fosters Collaborative Consumption for Sustainability
<
11
Stigma-Ending Bistros
Stigma-Ending Bistros
'Out of This World Cafe' in Toronto Engages the Psychiatric Recovery Communi
<
10
Entrepreneurial Non-Profit Practices
Entrepreneurial Non-Profit Practices
'Social Focus Consulting' Fosters Business for Good
<
9
Eco Community Centers
Eco Community Centers
Evergreen Brick Works is a Social Enterprise Fostering Nature in Toronto
<
8
Purpose-Driven IT Companies
Purpose-Driven IT Companies
Better The World is a B Corporation Using Technology for Social Good
<
7
Personal Development Diners
Personal Development Diners
Ground Level Cafe Offers Training to At-Risk Youth in Toronto
<
6
Rights-Based Organic Food
Rights-Based Organic Food
Grocerybunny Makes Quality Produce More Accessible and Affordable
<
5
Fanatical Foodie Communities
Fanatical Foodie Communities
Feast On It is a Toronto-based Collective of Shared Culinary Passion
<
4
Experience-Creating Cleaners
Experience-Creating Cleaners
The Eco Laundry Room Has a Cafe, Kid's Play Area and Free WiFi
<
3
Youth-Led Coffee Shops
Youth-Led Coffee Shops
Studio 89, a Social Enterprise Cafe in Mississauga by YTGA
<
2
Social Business Sweets
Social Business Sweets
Eat My Words Dedicates Funds to the Stephen Lewis Foundation
<
1
Ethically Refurbished Vests
Ethically Refurbished Vests
Toronto-Based 'Local Buttons' Partners with Tailors in Haiti
<