Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC), ICIC’s signature program for small business owners in the mid-stage of their growth, is thrilled to mark its fourth year in Canada in 2024, made possible by the generous support and partnership of the lead sponsor, Pizza Hut Canada, as part of YUM’s Unlocking Opportunity Initiative. At the heart of this initiative is the Equal Slice Program, a pivotal component offering participants the opportunity to vie for one of five $20,000 CAD grants designed to fuel the growth and scalability of their businesses. Equal Slice has provided a combined $300,000 in grants to small business owners since its inception, helping them build capacity for sustainable growth and resiliency. The 2023 grant winners include Akilah Newton of Big Dreamers, Carolina Foresti of Carolina's Brownies, Jaime Ward-Yassin of Hero Academy, Nancy Wingham of Nuez Acres, and Cynthia Sweeny of Simply Good Form Inc. This year, ICIC will present two Canada Cohorts—one conducted virtually and the other in person in Toronto, Ontario. The nation is home to 150 ICCC alumni, and since their participation in ICIC’s programs, they have achieved an outstanding average growth of 125% in revenue. This success underscores the impactful outcomes of the ICCC program, and the vital role played by Pizza Hut Canada in supporting the growth and resilience of small businesses across the country. Read More

Pizza Hut Canada, in collaboration with the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), is making significant strides in empowering Canadian entrepreneurs through the Equal Slice Program. As a part of YUM’s Unlocking Opportunity Initiative, this partnership offers free education, mentorship, and grants to small business owners from underrepresented communities across Canada through the Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) program. The Equal Slice Program allows participants to compete for $20,000 CAD grants aimed at fueling the growth and scalability of their businesses. Pizza Hut Canada's General Manager, Lauren Leahy, emphasizes the commitment to providing access to capital, coaching, and education through this initiative, fostering an ecosystem of fair opportunities. The program's impact is evident in the success stories of 2022 grant recipients, including Carolyn Simon of Choose Life Foods, Tique Chandler of Chandler Honey, Dodie Ellenbogen of County Bounty Artisanal Soda Co., Susan Keast of Resources Ink, and Danielle Murrell Cox of Zuri & Dre. In collaboration with ICIC, Pizza Hut Canada continues to be a driving force behind the growth and resilience of small businesses, embodying a shared vision for inclusive economic growth and community empowerment. Read More

Tique Chandler's story is a remarkable example of how tradition, innovation, and resilience can come together. She grew up on her family's beekeeping farm in Scandia, Alberta, and has now become the founder and CEO of Chandler Honey. Tique was recently awarded the 2022 ICCC-Pizza Hut Equal Slice grant, which she is using to improve production processes and expand sales. Read More

Tianna McFarlane, founder of Heal in Colour, is a 2022 ICCC-KFC Recipe for Success Mini-MBA grant winner. She used the funds to help advance her mission of bringing adhesive bandages for people with black and brown skin to the Canadian market and beyond. Read More

In the United States, food insecurity remains a major problem. Read More