Spend three days learning the fundamentals of entrepreneurship

Unlock ocean innovation in 3 days with Lab2Market Oceans / Validate Foundations

The Ocean Startup Project, Dal Innovates, and the Transforming Climate Action research program (OFI) are excited to offer a unique opportunity for researchers at Canadian universities – Lab2Market Oceans / Validate Foundations 3-Day (previously known as Discover) program.

The program will help researchers explore their ideas in a new way to identify how to create more value and impact with their research through potential commercial or collaborative research opportunities. Seed Fund applicants will also benefit from this training by refining their ideas on how to create growth from the initial Seed funding. 

The winter cohort will take place on January 6, 8, 10, 2025 from 12:30pm to 5:00pm NT/12:00pm to 4:30pm AT/11:00am to 3:30pm ET/8:00am to 12:30pm PT.

This program is delivered by the Ocean Startup Project in partnership with the Transforming Climate Action research program led by the Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI) and Dal Innovates. 

The application deadline for our Winter 2025 cohort will close on Friday, December 20, 2024 at 8:00am PDT. 

This call for applications is open to:

  • students/staff/instructors of ocean programs at Canadian Colleges/Polytechnics, and to researchers at Canadian universities/institutes (faculty, post-docs, research assistants, recent grads, Ph.D. candidates, and master's students) conducting ocean research, ocean-related research or research with a potential ocean application. 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+).

Priority will be given to researchers currently involved with OFI’s Transforming Climate Action program and equity-deserving groups (women, Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, people with disabilities and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities). Please note that up to 40 participants will be selected to participate. 

Join us in shaping the future of ocean technology, where your research can find its market and make a difference in the future of our oceans. Submit your application today!

How to Participate

  • Complete an online application form before the deadline

  • Program managers will confirm participants are eligible (Graduate students, Post-doctoral fellows, Faculty) 

  • Teams will be notified of their acceptance ahead of the session start date.

This program is presented in partnership with:

Validate Foundations is presented in partnership with: