What would happen if more small, local startups got the support they needed to make a real environmental impact?
That’s the question we asked again this year at REIF—the Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund. And this year, five powerful answers came in the form of bold, grassroots solutions to real climate and sustainability challenges right here in the Kawarthas.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through:
- What REIF is and how it started
- How the fund supports local startups with environmental missions
- This year’s selection process and criteria
- A closer look at the five winning local startups
- Why local innovation matters now more than ever
- What’s next for REIF and the local startups we couldn’t fund (yet)
Let’s get into it.
What Is REIF?
The Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund (REIF) was created by a partnership between three local Rotary Clubs: Peterborough, Peterborough-Kawartha, and Bridgenorth-Ennismore-Lakefield (BEL).
Our mission is straightforward:
To promote environmental awareness, sustainability, and remediation by supporting new environmental innovations from local startups in the Peterborough and Kawarthas area.
Every year, we invite local startups, entrepreneurs, changemakers, and community members to submit proposals for projects that tackle climate, biodiversity, pollution, or other environmental concerns in practical, impactful ways.
REIF is now in its third year and growing fast—we had more than double the applicants we’ve seen in past years.
Who We Fund: Supporting Local Startups for Environmental Change
We’re looking for more than just good ideas.
REIF supports:
- Local startups or early-stage initiatives that are community-rooted
- Projects with clear environmental impact
- Innovations that could scale or be replicated
- Applicants who have skin in the game
We’re not funding fluff. We’re looking for things that move the needle—even in small ways—for our local ecosystems, food systems, or sustainable living efforts.
The total funding pool for 2025 was just over $10,000, distributed across five outstanding local startups selected from a group of 16 applicants.
How We Choose Local Startup Winners
All applications are reviewed by a committee of Rotarians and community experts. We judge each submission based on a few key factors:
1. Innovation
Is this a fresh approach to an existing problem? Does it show creative thinking and originality?
2. Impact
How much environmental benefit will this project produce? Is the effect measurable?
3. Feasibility
Can the local startup actually execute the project with the funding and support available?
4. Community Engagement
Does the project include or benefit local people? Is it designed to be inclusive, educational, or collaborative?
Every single one of the 16 submissions this year had potential. If we had more funding, we could have awarded all of them. That’s the tough part. But it also speaks to the growing energy around environmental innovation through local startups in our community.
Meet the 2025 Winning Local Startups
Here are the five local startups and initiatives that stood out this year and earned funding:
1. Sano Strategy
A bold local startup project aimed at reducing single-use plastics in the food service industry. Their pitch focused on reusable container networks and local partnerships to create a closed-loop system for takeout and delivery.
2. Core Woodley Farms
This local farm startup is testing regenerative agriculture practices that rebuild soil health and sequester carbon. The project includes public workshops and soil health reporting to engage the community.
3. Wild Rock x Kawartha Land Trust
These two teamed up to protect natural spaces and biodiversity through a combined conservation and recreation approach. They plan to use funding to expand trail access and educate users on low-impact outdoor practices.
4. Second Nature Studio
Focused on upcycled home goods, this local startup turns textile waste into durable, beautiful products. Their plan includes partnering with local thrift shops and schools to collect materials and offer maker workshops.
5. GreenUP’s TapRoots for Tomorrow
This education-based program uses hands-on learning to teach kids about water systems, native plants, and climate action. Funding will help expand the program into more schools across Peterborough.
Why Local Startups Matter for the Environment
Environmental issues aren’t just “big government” problems. Many of the most effective solutions start at the local level, where people actually live, work, and care.
When we fund local startups, we:
- Reduce barriers to action
- Encourage creative problem-solving
- Build long-term community engagement
- Empower citizens to lead change
And in a time when global climate goals feel out of reach, small wins at the local level are how we get momentum back.
REIF exists to be part of that shift.
The Bigger Picture: What About the Other Local Startups?
This year, 16 applications came in. That’s more than double what we saw last year.
We only had the budget to fund five. But that doesn’t mean the other eleven local startups are off the table.
We’re reaching out to those teams to explore:
- Alternate funding partnerships
- Collaborations with Rotary members or other service groups
- Opportunities for mentorship, incubation, or promotion
Sometimes the answer isn’t “no,” it’s just “not yet.”
Looking Ahead: Supporting More Local Startups in 2026
We’re already thinking about what next year will look like.
Here are a few goals we’re working toward:
- Increasing the fund pool so more local startups can get support
- Hosting a public pitch night to showcase finalists
- Creating mentoring tracks for applicants who need help developing their ideas
- Expanding donor involvement beyond the core Rotary clubs
Environmental change is going to require more brains, more hands, and more dollars at the community level.
REIF is here for the long game.
That’s what REIF is about.
I’ve worked with a lot of people trying to change their communities for the better—through dog training, business, environmental work, and everything in between.
One thing I know for sure: people will rise to the challenge if someone believes in their ideas.
Belief. Support. And a small pile of funding that, in the right hands, can go a long way.
Thanks to everyone who applied, to my fellow Rotarians who give their time and energy to make this happen, and to the community partners who keep pushing this region forward.
Here’s to more good ideas, and more green lights.