Lab2Market Validate
Last Update: January 24, 2025
Canada
Funding for technology-enabled innovations
Lab2Market Validate at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $15,000
Timeline
- Open Date : July 17, 2024
- Closing date : September 3, 2024
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
Grant Providers
- Lab2Market
Status
Closed
Overview of the Lab2Market Validate program
Get a grant of up to $15,000 in this 16-week program, with access to mentors and advisors, with opportunities for networking and partnerships as you look to develop, test and commercialize or license your science and technology-enabled innovation.
Financing terms and conditions
The Lab2Market Validate program provides targeted financial support to researchers as part of its commitment to exploring entrepreneurial opportunities within research ideas. While the specific details of the financing modalities are not exhaustively detailed, key financial elements are outlined.
- Funding of $15,000 is available to participants who are eligible for the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program.
- The funding is tied to participation in a specific cohort, such as the Lab2Market Oceans cohort for ocean-related research.
Eligible projects & activities
Lab2Market Validate offers researchers the opportunity to explore and validate their research ideas within the entrepreneurial landscape. The program is structured to help participants develop their business ideas through intensive workshops and real-world applications.
- Meet and engage with potential customers to gather insights and test market viability.
- Participate in mentorship programs with industry experts to refine business strategies.
- Build a professional network with peers and industry leaders.
- Develop entrepreneurial skills and grit through structured program phases.
- Receive funding support to enable focused development and exploration of research ideas.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 15,000
Exploring a smart home system for energy efficiency
$ 15,000
Developing a mobile app for sustainable agriculture
$ 15,000
Developing a new type of biodegradable plastic packaging
$ 15,000
Launching a telemedicine platform for rural communities
$ 15,000
Testing a new software for non-invasive medical diagnostics
$ 15,000
Creating an AI-based learning tool for high school students
Eligibility criteria of the Lab2Market Validate program
Lab2Market Validate eligibility requires applicants to meet specific criteria related to their educational background and project focus.
- Applicants must be researchers with a Master's, Ph.D., or Postdoctoral position.
- Applicants must be based in Canada.
- Lab2Market Health Cohort is specifically for those with projects in Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, Med-Tech, Human and Animal Health, and Health IT.
- Lab2Market Oceans cohort targets researchers and recent graduates conducting ocean-related research.
- Applicants must be eligible for the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program when applying for oceans-related funding.
Who is eligible?
Lab2Market Validate is open to researchers (Masters, Ph.D., and Postdocs) from all disciplines, within Canada, who wish to explore the entrepreneurial potential of their research ideas. In Alberta, participants must be affiliated with Alberta post-secondary institutions and eligible for Mitacs. For ocean-related research projects conducted at any Canadian university, eligibility for the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship program is required. Specific health-related projects are encouraged to apply to the National Lab2Market Health Cohort. Different regional programs are hosted by universities such as Dalhousie, the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and Simon Fraser University.
Eligible expenses
The eligible projects focus on evaluating and developing research ideas within the entrepreneurial landscape. This includes diverse research disciplines and specific industry sectors.
- Validation of research ideas from all disciplines by graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in Alberta.
- Projects in Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, Med-Tech, Human and Animal Health, and Health IT sectors for the National Lab2Market Health Cohort.
- Marine and ocean-related research by students and recent graduates across Canadian universities for the Lab2Market Oceans cohort.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is specifically offered to researchers based in Canada, and is hosted at several prominent universities covering distinct regions across the country. The program encourages participation from a wide range of geographical areas to foster entrepreneurial exploration nationwide.
- Researchers from Atlantic Canada hosted by Dalhousie University.
- Participants from Ontario hosted by the University of Toronto.
- Candidates from Western Canada hosted by the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.
- Applicants from Alberta post-secondaries for the Alberta cohort.
- Researchers conducting ocean-related research at any Canadian University for the oceans cohort.
Eligibility criteria of the Lab2Market Validate program
Lab2Market Validate has specific evaluation and selection criteria for applicants:
- Eligibility based on being a researcher (Masters, Ph.D., or Postdoc) in Canada
- National Lab2Market Health Cohort open to projects in health-related fields
- Demonstrated interest in entrepreneurship and business potential of research
- Participation in the 16-week program
How to apply to the Lab2Market Validate program
1
Determine Eligibility
- Ensure you are a researcher (Masters, Ph.D., or Postdoc) from a Canadian university.
- Check that your research aligns with the program's criteria, such as being in the pharmaceutical, medical device, or ocean research sectors, if applicable.
2
Prepare Your Application
- Gather necessary documents and information for your research project proposal.
- Ensure eligibility for funding through the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship (BSI) or other specified programs.
3
Attend Information Sessions
- Participate in upcoming information sessions to gather more detailed insights and guidance.
- Prepare any questions you might have for these sessions.
4
Submit Application
- Visit the Lab2Market website or the specific program link provided to access the application form.
- Complete the application form with accurate and detailed information.
- Submit your application before the specified deadline.
5
Follow Up
- Wait for confirmation and further instructions from the program coordinators.
- Be prepared to provide additional information if requested after submission.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The program is recognized as a way to bridge the gap for researchers with no prior entrepreneurial experience.
- Participants will join a community of like-minded individuals from diverse research backgrounds.
- The program includes mentorship from industry experts as a core component.
- The experience is designed to develop entrepreneurial resilience, known as "grit."
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