The upcoming Breakout Project has received more financial backing, this time $600,000 from the province’s Ontario150 grant program.

The Breakout Project, running next May 10 to 12, will bring Canada’s top entrepreneurs, communicators, artists and makers to Kingston in an effort to change the world in 48 hours. The guests will be put into teams with project goals to make the world a better place.

“Throughout 2017, as we celebrate Canada’s and Ontario’s 150th anniversary, our Ontario150 program will recognize our past and work to build the foundation for our future,” Eleanor McMahon, minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, said in a news release. “It is exciting to see how the province’s $600,000 investment in The Breakout Project will bring innovators together from around the world to find solutions to important global issues that impact us all — an impressive initiative that is the first of its kind in the world, right in our own backyard.”

On Tuesday night, Kingston city council agreed to also provide The Breakout Project $100,000. The event is expected to generate more than $1 million in the Kingston economy. The project is the brainchild of Innovate Kingston in partnership with the City of Kingston, St. Lawrence Parks Commission, Kingston Economic Development, Kingston Accommodation Partners, Tourism Kingston and Queen’s University Smith School of Business.

Event passes for attendees run from $199 to $749 with a portion being donated to the projects being formed. Early-bird prices are now available. There will be 500 passes set aside for students and low-income attendees. Those who attend will then lend their skills or cash to a project. The project with the most capital, both financial and human, will be crowned the winner at a community celebration in Springer Market Square.

The entire event, which will feature panel interviews with celebrity business people, is going to be broadcast live across social media in a reality television format.

“This is a very large event that is being planned; it’s meant to be global in nature,” Mayor Bryan Paterson said in a news release. “We are excited to host the top innovation talent to our city and to invite them to use our community as the springboard for solving huge world challenges and to showcase their talent.”

Grant Goodwin, a director at Innovate Kingston, said the $600,000 is a major kick-start for the project and will serve as primary sponsorship. He added that The Breakout Project is the definition of what Ontario150 is all about.

“The Ontario150 Program is about celebrating entrepreneurship, about celebrating our youth, our past, about celebrating our plans for the future,” Goodwin said. “[The Breakout Project is] all about putting a new, fresh start to the way we look at innovation and the world problems, and helping each other, and it’s about leadership.”

Kingston and the Islands MPP Sophie Kiwala said the province is proud to be part of The Breakout Project.

“Ontario applauds the work of the city and Innovate Kingston in helping transform Kingston area into one of our province’s technological hubs, creating new jobs and strengthening our economy,” Kiwala said. “I look forward to seeing how the great minds here in Kingston will make a global impact in making our world a better place.”

For event passes and more information, go online to www.thebreakoutproject.com.

scrosier@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/StephattheWhig