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Source verified August 8, 2026
Lab2Market Validate
Research idea validation for commercialization
Latest source updateLast Update: July 6, 2026Latest change: Lab2Market Validate now shows Winter 2027 cohorts with new eligibility, dates, deadlines, and info-session links, while the application form submission date also changed to 7/6/2026.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 6, 2026
Latest change: Lab2Market Validate now shows Winter 2027 cohorts with new eligibility, dates, deadlines, and info-session links, while the application form submission date also changed to 7/6/2026.
Lab2Market Validate cohorts updated
Lab2Market Validate now shows a new set of Winter 2027 cohorts on the program page, including L2M Validate Quebec - Winter 2027, L2M Validate Women in Research Prairies/Alberta - Winter 2027, and L2M Oceans / Validate - Winter 2027. The visible eligibility and timing details changed materially, including Quebec starting January 18, 2027 with an August 11, 2026 deadline, Women in Research Prairies/Alberta starting January 11, 2027 with a July 28, 2026 deadline at 11:30 PM CDT, and Oceans / Validate running January 11 - March 25, 2027 with an August 11 deadline at 11:30 pm PDT. The application form also changed its submission date from 5/13/2026 to 7/6/2026, and the info-session links now point to updated registration pages. Funding remains visible at $10,000 in the program package, with no change shown to the funding amount or percentage terms.
Funding available
$ 10,000
Deadline
August 11, 2026
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Researchers, including Masters, Ph.D., and Postdocs, from all disciplines.
See full eligibility
Overview
Lab2Market Validate supports graduate researchers, PhD students, postdocs, and other eligible participants through a 4-month program focused on validating research ideas and commercial potential in Canada. The program includes market research, product-market fit assessment, workshops, mentorship, customer discovery, and entrepreneurial training.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Critically test and evaluate a research idea in the entrepreneurial landscape.
- Validate hypotheses through market research.
- Meet customers and build a network.
- Analyze, adjust, and iterate on market research data.
Documents Needed
- A link to a video of yourself giving a 2-min non-technical summary of your project or idea followed by a 3-min explanation of what discoveries you hope to make during the program
- Supporting documentation, for example your resume
Official resources
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Researchers, including Masters, Ph.D., and Postdocs, from all disciplines.
- Graduate researchers, recent graduates, or students.
- Women graduate researchers and women undergraduate students.
- Graduate researchers and research associates.
- Graduate researchers and recent graduates from universities and colleges in Ontario.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- British Columbia and Yukon
- Quebec
- Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta
- Ontario and the Atlantic region
Selection criteria
- Novelty of the technology.
- Significance of the problem or opportunity.
- Understanding of the market size and potential.
- Goals and objectives at this stage.
How to apply
- Complete the online Airtable application form.
- Provide the required video link in the form.
- Upload any supporting documentation, if desired.
- Submit the application online.
Processing and Agreement
- By submitting the application, you consent to the collection, use, and processing of personal data for assessing eligibility and participation in Lab2Market.
- The information provided will be used solely for the purpose of assessing eligibility and participation in Lab2Market.
- Data will be kept confidential and shared only with authorized personnel involved in the selection process, except as required by law or with explicit consent.
- All teams and companies participating in Lab2Market retain complete ownership of their Intellectual Property in accordance with host institution IP policies during program activities.
- If invited to participate in a future evaluation, that participation is completely voluntary, and once the form has been submitted, no changes can be made.
Additional information
- Lab2Market Validate has been operating since 2019.
- It is a Canadian adaptation of the NSF I-Crops program in the United States and ICURe program in the United Kingdom.
- The program is offered nationally and runs various cohorts throughout the year.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Lab2Market Validate Program
What is the Lab2Market Validate?
Lab2Market Validate supports graduate researchers, PhD students, postdocs, and other eligible participants through a 4-month program focused on validating research ideas and commercial potential in Canada. The program includes market research, product-market fit assessment, workshops, mentorship, customer discovery, and entrepreneurial training.
How much funding can be received?
Lab2Market Validate Funds up to $10,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Lab2Market Validate program?
To be eligible for the Lab2Market Validate program, you must:
The project or venture must be based on research originating at the academic institution listed above.
For the Quantum cohort, the technology must be related to Quantum computing, communications, sensing, algorithms or Quantum enabling technologies.
For the Oceans / Validate cohort, the project must involve ocean-related technologies.
What expenses are eligible under Lab2Market Validate?
Critically test and evaluate a research idea in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Validate hypotheses through market research.
Meet customers and build a network.
Analyze, adjust, and iterate on market research data.
Who can I contact for more information about the Lab2Market Validate?
You can contact Lab2Market by email at validate@lab2market.ca.
Where is the Lab2Market Validate available?
The Lab2Market Validate program is available across Canada.
Is the Lab2Market Validate a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Lab2Market Validate is a Grant and Funding