Lab2Market Oceans

Lab2Market Oceans (L2M) represents an unparalleled opportunity for ocean researchers eager to explore the commercial potential of their academic findings. This national initiative is meticulously crafted to serve as a bridge connecting the realms of academic research with the bustling marketplace, offering a comprehensive suite of resources for those poised to make the leap into entrepreneurship and innovation. However, it’s important to recognize that commercialization, while a significant focus, is not the sole outcome of participation in L2M.

The program is structured around three core streams: Discover, Validate, and Launch. Each is designed to progressively guide participants through the intricate process of entrepreneurship. This journey begins with sparking an interest in entrepreneurship, advances through the development of a broad set of entrepreneurial skills, and culminates in forging connections with a network that can transform innovative ideas into successful business ventures.

This initiative, hosted by Memorial University, encourages research teams from across Canada to delve into the commercial viability of their ocean research ideas, highlighting the program’s commitment to sector-specific innovation.

Inspiration for L2M Oceans is drawn from the prestigious US I-Corps program, with a mission to instil an entrepreneurial mindset among postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and faculty members. Participants are immersed in entrepreneurial methodologies and business fundamentals, exploring everything from market analysis to intellectual property, regulatory frameworks, and beyond.

Customer discovery stands at the heart of the Lab2Market approach. This critical phase involves engaging with potential customers to validate business hypotheses, better understand customer challenges, and establish valuable relationships in the industry. This not only aids in assessing the product-market fit but also significantly influences future research directions and product development strategies.

While commercialization is a key objective for many participants, the Lab2Market Oceans experience is richly layered with outcomes beyond the immediate launch of a business venture. Participants gain a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial process, acquire a valuable skill set applicable in various contexts, and expand their professional network. Such benefits enhance their overall research and career trajectory, regardless of whether they choose to pursue commercialization, further research, or other professional endeavours.

In essence, Lab2Market offers a unique chance not only to explore the commercial possibilities of research but also to grow as an innovator and contributor to the broader academic and entrepreneurial ecosystems. The program underscores the multifaceted nature of research commercialization, inviting researchers to discover a world where their academic pursuits can make a tangible impact beyond the confines of traditional academic output.

In late Spring 2024, the Ocean Startup Project, in partnership with Dal Innovates and funded by the Transforming Climate Action research program led by the Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI), will host a Lab2Market Oceans Discover cohort. Follow the link to the Discover page to learn more and apply. 

 

 

Apply for Lab2Market Oceans Discover

Lab2Market Oceans launched in 2020 and has had three cohorts

57 teams have participated in the program

2,553 Customer Interviews

$850,000+ Funds Raised

24 teams commercialized/pursuing entrepreneurship

*this number currently reflects the 2020 and 2021 cohort and will be updated after the six-month follow-up survey of 2022 participants 

Meet our teaching team

Carol Bartlett is a geophysicist and a sales expert. She worked in the oil and gas industry for many years and leveraged her skills in sales to climb the corporate ladder. Now as an independent consultant and entrepreneur, Carol teaches other entrepreneurs sales skills, and she helps organizations bring in a constant and steady pipeline of revenue.

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Randy Gillespie has 30+ years of experience working with entrepreneurs in ocean technology and geomatics to help them access technology, markets and investment to support the development and growth of their startups. Over the years, he has worked with Provincial Aerospace, Rutter Technologies, C-Core, Compusult, AXYS Technologies, Quester Tangent, AMEC (now Wood), RPM Aerial, and others.

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Leah Sanford is the “business hug every entrepreneur needs” who has been in marketing for over 15 years. Every day, Leah applies her expertise in marketing and public relations to help entrepreneurs define strategy, craft stories, and reach customers more effectively.

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Over the past 17 years, Joanna’s passion and experience have closely danced at the intersection of social purpose, sustainability, and growth through business. Through her work with leaders, businesses, institutions, and changemakers, she has helped create massive waves through their startups, projects, programs, and products for impact. From building acceleration programs to support the growth of emerging impact startups to working with leading founders to support their growth strategies to engaging diverse communities to build ecosystems that work to create impact – her purpose is to work with others to help them grow their change-making ideas.

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Marie’s expertise is project/program management in higher education and research, with over five years of clinical research experience at the MUN Faculty of Medicine. She is a certified Medical Laboratory Assistant with basic science experience in blood biomarker research and COVID-19 testing. She also coordinated the MUN Self-Isolation Project, helping students, faculty, and staff understand and follow the previous federal and provincial COVID-19 restrictions. More recently, she has been a project coordinator for the MUN Internationalization Office, helping new international students navigate their arrival to Canada and Newfoundland & Labrador.

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Shubhra Singh, the tech luminary, is driving innovation, mentorship, and diversity to make tech more accessible and inclusive for everyone. Meet Shubhra Singh, a serial entrepreneur and tech visionary with a remarkable 17-year journey in technology. She’s a pioneer known for her innovation, mentorship, and commitment to making tech more inclusive. Journey: Tech Luminary: With 17 years of diverse tech roles, Shubhra brings a wealth of experience across the tech landscape. Innovation Trailblazer: Winner of prestigious pitch competitions like Aquahackathon and Onside, Shubhra transforms visionary ideas into tech solutions. Mentor Extraordinaire: She actively mentors in programs like the Stay and Study initiative and the Ignite Program at the Arthur Entrepreneurship Center, shaping the next generation of tech leaders. Vision: Diversity and Inclusion Advocate: As a woman in tech for 17 years, Shubhra envisions a future where all, especially women and the LGBTQ2+ community, can realize their tech dreams through an empowering product she aims to develop.

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Application Process

Submit an application

The Entrepreneurial Lead (graduate student/postdoctoral fellow) should be the main applicant. The Technical Lead (faculty member) must be included as a co-applicant. Only non-confidential information should be provided. The application must include how the research outcomes will contribute to the problem’s solution and assumptions on its potential customer or commercial market. The application should NOT reveal any proprietary information that is not yet publicly disclosed or covered by a patent/provisional patent. Consider any information disclosed in the application non-confidential information. Please contact the technology transfer office at your institution if you have any questions regarding intellectual property.

Review and Interview

The application will be reviewed, and short-listed teams will be interviewed. Teams will be short-listed based on: – the size of the problem – novelty and quality of the research – market potential – commitment to the program

Mitacs e-Accelerate

Each short-listed team will be contacted by their local Mitacs representative and will have at least two weeks to complete a Mitacs e-Accelerate funding proposal. Your application will not be considered if you do not complete the Mitacs funding application on time. The partner organization for the Mitacs application is Springboard Atlantic Inc. Once teams submit the Mitacs application, it will take eight to 10 weeks for review.

Program Acceptance

Acceptance to the program depends on the success of the Lab2Market Oceans application and the Mitacs funding application. If you are accepted, the Lab2Market Oceans Program Manager will reach out with the next steps for enrolment. Each accepted team will receive an acceptance letter that confirms the funding and the program objectives. Teams also need to follow their university’s policies concerning intellectual property and research commercialization. Teams need to contact their Technology Transfer Office once accepted into Lab2Market.

Eligibility

  • Applicant must be a graduate student (Master’s or Ph.D. level) or postdoctoral fellow (graduated within four years) or a recent graduate of a Master’s or Ph.D. program
  • Project must be realistic and technically feasible
  • We recommend that the project focus on the applicant’s research area
  • Graduate student/postdoctoral fellow must receive permission from their research supervisor to take eight weeks to work on Lab2Market Oceans full-time (minimum 35 hours/week)
  • While L2M Oceans is open to participation nationally, it is delivered in English. A French version, L2M Validation (QC) without the ocean lens, is available through V1 Studio for participants who are affiliated with QC universities.

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