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Through this partnership Diageo Canada and BITS have supported over 1,200 entrepreneurs with training and resources in the past three years.
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The Bold Spirits Awards program has been established to support underserved and emerging entrepreneurs with startup grants.
ONTARIO, May 15, 2025–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Premium drinks company Diageo Canada and non-profit organization Business in the Streets (BITS) have expanded their partnership to provide underserved young entrepreneurs and small businesses in Ontario funding opportunities through the Bold Spirits Awards. This new series of grants are designed to provide critical startup funding to graduates of the BITS program, removing financial barriers and helping business owners transform their ideas into thriving ventures.
This initiative builds on a successful three-year partnership between BITS and Diageo Canada that has already supported over 1,200 aspiring entrepreneurs in Toronto and Ottawa by providing them with the training and resources necessary to bring their ideas to life and create their own employment opportunities – this includes incorporating Learning Skills for Life, a Diageo global flagship training program for entrepreneurs and hospitality professionals. In Canada, the Learning Skills for Life curriculum equips participants with essential skills like budgeting, leadership, communication, and teamwork.
“Since 2022, Diageo Canada has been an enthusiastic and vital partner of our work to offer business training, mentorship, funding and ongoing business support to underrepresented young people across Ontario,” said Kyle Monczak, Executive Director of Business in the Streets. “The Bold Spirits Awards provides an opportunity to recognize the often unseen contributions young entrepreneurs are making every day to improve their lives and benefit Canadian society. Diageo’s support will enable these early entrepreneurs to build on their progress and provide the resources they need to grow into successful businesses.“
“We’re passionate about further supporting innovative initiatives that help break down barriers for ambitious individuals in underrepresented communities across Ontario,” said Jodi Rumble, General Manager, Diageo Canada. “Our partnership with BITS and the launch of the Bold Spirits Awards is our way to celebrate entrepreneurship and represents a vote of confidence in the next generation of business innovators.”
The program’s success is evident in the achievements of BITS alumni, many of whom credit the combination of mentorship, skills training, and financial resources as key to their growth.
