Lab2Market Validate

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.

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?

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.

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

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."