Dal Innovates

Are YOU ready to launch? Applications for Dal Innovates’ Launch Summer Accelerator Program are open now. After 12 weeks of intense work, mentorship, and growth, our summer program wraps with Demo Day, as talented entrepreneurs take the stage to pitch their businesses, showcasing all they've learned and built during the Launch Summer Accelerator Program. From grad students to undergrads, researchers to faculty, these innovators are ready to show the world what they’ve built through the Lab2Market and Collide program streams. With $18,000 in prizes on the line, Demo Day is where big ideas meet their moment to shine. 🔗 Apply by March 2, 2025 - www.dalinnovates.ca

Dalhousie University is seeking a Program Manager for the Lab2Market (L2M) programs under Dal Innovates; could that be you? Read on to learn more! The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering the L2M Validate and L2M Launch programs, empowering students and researchers to transform innovative ideas into viable, sustainable businesses. Key responsibilities include planning, execution, and management of these programs; moderating weekly sessions; and collaborating with internal and external partners to promote and build awareness. The role also requires collecting and analyzing key metrics to evaluate program impact, managing budgets, and ensuring the efficient allocation of resources. To be considered, candidates should have a research-based Master’s degree in a technical field (life sciences or engineering preferred), with 3-5 years of program management experience. Strong industry connections, experience with venture management, and knowledge of start-up methodologies are essential. Applicants should also have excellent communication skills, the ability to manage multiple projects, and experience working in dynamic, fast-paced environments. Dalhousie offers a hybrid work model with the opportunity to work remotely or in-person on campus. If you are passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship, this is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the future of Canada's innovation ecosystem. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://lnkd.in/e6hmXMMY

Congratulations to the Collide Validate Winter 2025 Graduates! Over the last six weeks, 28 student teams have market-tested entrepreneurial ideas in Dal Innovates' Collide Validate program. This year, for the first time, we offered both in-person and virtual cohorts, delivered by Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Community College - NSCC, and the University of Prince Edward Island at the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship. Collide Validate helps students rigorously explore market potential, reduce risks, and develop solutions that meet real-world needs. As Jeffrey Larsen, Assistant Vice President, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Dalhousie, said, "in Atlantic Canada, student innovation is thriving, and Dal Innovates is pleased to partner with post-secondary institutions across the region to support this growth." Among the successful program graduates is Jewell Tan, a Master of Design student at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, who used the Collide Validate to develop a business model for Seeya, a toy set that helps parents reduce kids' screen time and promote healthy vision. Read about all 28 teams in today's news release and help us congratulate the Winter 2025 Collide Validate grads! https://lnkd.in/esbCQd8Y Collide is made possible by the support of the ACOA - APECA.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make Innovation Rx an engaging and successful event! Bringing together individuals from the healthcare and innovation ecosystems, including clinical students, healthcare professionals, and startup leaders for some great discussions. We covered everything from building the habit of problem identification to the value of clear ecosystem maps and why innovation training is essential for future clinician-entrepreneurs. Despite the two-week delay, there was a fantastic turnout for an evening event! We're grateful to those who helped make the event a success, including our panelists, Dr. Michael Dunbar, and Emily Johnston, PharmD, moderator Schnell D'Souza and organizational support from Life Sciences Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, and Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, Health and Dental. Excited to keep these conversations going—we hope to see you at the next event!

A Full-Circle Moment with Dal Innovates! Over the past year, I had the incredible opportunity to take part in both the Winter Collide Validate Program and the Summer Collide Launch Program at Dal Innovates. These programs challenged me to think critically, validate business ideas, explore market opportunities, and build meaningful connections. 🌱 Collide Validate Program (Jan - Mar 2024): This was where it all began—learning the fundamentals of business validation, decision-making, and innovation alongside an inspiring cohort. 🚀 Collide Launch Program (Apr - Sep 2024): Taking it to the next level, I stepped into a leadership role as a Business Venture Team Lead, where I worked with my amazing team member Junwen Hu to explore real-world business challenges, develop innovative solutions, and form strategic partnerships. Recently, I had the honor of returning to Dal Innovates to share my journey with the next cohort, It was a surreal and rewarding experience to reflect on how much I’ve grown—both personally and professionally—through these programs. 💡 A huge thank you to Dal Innovates for creating such a dynamic space for aspiring entrepreneurs, and to the mentors and peers who have been part of this journey. Excited to continue growing, learning, and supporting future innovators! 💬 Have you ever been part of a program that shaped your journey in unexpected ways? Let’s share experiences! #DalInnovates #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #GivingBack #CollideLaunch #StartupJourney #Gratitude

Join us at the Dalhousie Emera ideaHUB on April 7th for a session with Brice Scheschuk, co-hosted by MindFrame Connect and Dal Innovates: Brice, with 30 years of experience in tech investing and venture capital, will dive into key fundraising insights. He'll cover when venture capital truly makes sense, the rise of outlier founders and venture-scale growth, plus alternative funding paths for most entrepreneurs. Don’t miss out on his discussion of “Mighty Middle” businesses—a refreshing take on success that lies between venture capital and lifestyle businesses. 👇 #DalInnovates #Founders #StartupSuccess #VentureCapital https://lnkd.in/gC6xnzGm

Find out if you're the ideal candidate for Lab2Market Validate Foundations! This 3-day bootcamp will equip you with the tools to excel in the 16-week Validate program. Though optional, applicants for L2M Validate are highly encouraged to complete this Validate Foundations bootcamp. Applications close on March 6, 2025; get your application in today! 🔗 Learn more and apply today: https://lnkd.in/d5FCAf5k Lab2Market, Mitacs, Springboard Atlantic Inc., Dalhousie University, Experiential Learning & Career Development MtA Nova Scotia Community College - NSCC Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre Cape Breton University Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship CEED Mount Saint Vincent University Centre for Women in Business Acadia University St. Francis Xavier University University of New Brunswick Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador College of the North Atlantic

At Dal Innovates, we believe that diversity is a key driver of innovation, and we’re proud to support initiatives that empower women in research and entrepreneurship. Women in science often face systemic barriers, including unequal access to funding and resources, which is why we’re excited to help amplify the "Girls Just Want to Have Funding" campaign! With #InternationalWomensDay just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to raise critical funds that will directly support women-led and women-focused research at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine. By supporting this campaign—whether through purchasing merchandise or making a donation—you’ll be investing in groundbreaking research and helping dismantle the barriers that women in science face. Join us in creating a more equitable future for women researchers and innovators. Because after all, #GirlsJustWantFunding!

Alongside MindFrame Connect, join us on April 7th for a session with Brice Scheschuk, on 'Founders, Play Your Own Game' at the Dalhousie Emera ideaHUB. ⬇️ Informed by 30 years of investing in technology and venture capital, Brice will explore themes about fundraising, including the limited scenarios where venture capital makes sense, the concepts of outlier founders and venture scale growth, and numerous alternative capital paths that are applicable to most founders. He discusses the concept of “Mighty Middle” businesses, which exist between venture capital and lifestyle businesses and provides a balancing narrative to venture capital as the key measure of success.

Very happy to share a link to the event page for "Founders, Play Your Own Game" presentation being held in Halifax on April 7 at 11am local time. This event is free and open to the public. I strongly encourage all founders to attend. Capital optimization is consequential and irreversible and a paramount issue that all founders face. Link to event: https://lnkd.in/gnDiVEkm MindFrame Connect, Dal Innovates, Jeffrey Larsen, Meghann Coleman, Isaac Cook, Natalie M.