Lay the foundation for your entrepreneurial journey.
Are you eager to bring your idea to market but unsure where to start? As a researcher in emerging technologies, you may sense the commercial potential of your work but need guidance on how to take the first step and tap into the resources around you. With Validate Foundations, you'll gain the essential knowledge and tools to seize these opportunities, including access to our Lab2Market Validate program.
Our Program
Validate Foundations is a three-day intensive virtual training program aimed at providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the process and best practices for research commercialization. Upon completion, graduates will possess the knowledge necessary to initiate their commercialization endeavors and strategically position their projects to capitalize on various opportunities within the ecosystem. These opportunities include Lab2Market’s Validate program, incubator and accelerator programs, and public innovation grants.
Eligibility
Validate Foundations is offered free of cost and is open to all researchers (Undergrads, Masters, Ph.D., and Postdocs) and faculty from all disciplines, in Canada.
Eligibility may vary slightly depending on the cohort being offered. Please refer to the cohort descriptions below.
The program is designed for individuals seeking to commercialize their ideas—those who envision how their technology can benefit the real world and wish to understand the steps required for commercialization. This program consists of six online sessions delivered over three days.
If you have already made the decision to leap into the world of entrepreneurship and try commercializing your technology, check out our Lab2Market Validate and Launch programs.
Still have questions? Email us at validate@lab2market.ca to request more information.
Apply to Upcoming Validate Foundation Cohorts
Oceans Stream Spring 2025 Cohort
Eligibility: Open students/staff/instructors of ocean programs at Canadian Colleges/Polytechnics and to ocean-related researchers at Canadian universities/institutes (faculty, post-docs, research assistants, recent grads, Ph.D. candidates, and master's students). Priority will be given to researchers currently involved with the OFI Transforming Climate Action program and equity-deserving groups (Indigenous Persons, Racialized Persons, Persons with Disabilities, Women, and 2SLGBTQ+).
Deadline to apply is May 4, 2025.
The L2M Oceans / Validate Foundations program runs on May 12th, 14th and 16th from 12:30 - 5:00 pm (Newfoundland Time) / 11:00 am to 3:30 pm (Eastern Time).
Lab2Market Health
Eligibility: This program is open to basic science researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students across Canada and is tailored to the unique opportunities and challenges faced in health-related fields. Engage with successful science entrepreneurs, learn from industry experts, and develop the knowledge needed to navigate commercialization and innovation in health-related fields.
The national cohort will be delivered by the L2M National Health Hub, hosted by SFU Venture Labs and Innovation UBC. The program will run from June 3 - 5, 2025.
Deadline to apply is May 12, 2025.
Lab2Market Validate Foundations
Eligibility: Individuals who want to bring their research to market. Open to Certificate & Diploma Students, Undergraduate students, Masters, PhDs, Postdocs & Faculty.
The regional program will be delivered by the Lab2Market Pacific Hub. The program will run from June 3-5, 2025.
Deadline to apply is May 12, 2025.
Validate Foundations Ontario
Eligibility: Full-time students, recent graduates, researchers, and faculty members from Ontario’s universities and colleges who are interested in exploring entrepreneurship are encouraged to apply.
The regional program will be delivered by the Lab2Market Ontario Hub. The program will run from May 19-22, 2025.
Deadline to apply is May 15, 2025.
“I have been trained as a scientist all my university life, but I have always dreamed of starting my own business. There was a huge gap between my fantasy and reality, and Lab2Market Validate built a bridge. When I started this program, I was a green hand with zero experience in the market, but everyone I met during the program taught and helped me both enthusiastically and patiently.”
- Hao Guo
Ph.D. Candidate in Medical Physics at Dalhousie University