Welcome to the LDFP Commercialization Opportunity Index. The University of Toronto and local commercialization community offer multiple programs, competitions, resources, and services to help LDFP researchers and trainees translate their discoveries into commercial ventures. Please contact a member of the LDFP research office for more information (Mike Folinas, Sam D’Alfonso, or Lia Cardarelli).
Commercialization Resources
- University of Toronto Innovations and Partnerships Office (IPO)
- IPO’s "Guide to Technology Transfer"
- IPO's "Researcher’s Guide to Industry Partnerships"
- University of Toronto Libraries Entrepreneurship Support
- PRiME Entrepreneur Resources
- University of Toronto Startup Guidebook
Commercialization Opportunities
- Arts & Science Student Interns
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Are you an early-stage startup looking for student interns?
Applications are now open for start-ups interested in recruiting U of T Arts & Science student interns on a part-time basis for a 3-month period through ENT391H. This experiential learning course allows students to explore the inner working of new ventures or other innovative organizations. The majority of the course consists of internship work at an early-stage startup and in-class activities that will facilitate the application of entrepreneurial tools to develop the students’ entrepreneurial skills.
This semester-long course will begin in September 2024 and end in December 2024.
Please complete this application by July 28 in order to be considered for the Fall 2024 start date.
- Collaborate 2 Commercialize
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The Ontario Centre for Innovation’s Collaborate 2 Commercialize program (C2C, formerly VIP) supports Industry/Academia collaboration solving an industry-based problem and driving the commercialization of Intellectual Property. The institution leverages the unique skills and specialized infrastructure instrumental in streamlining internal innovations and commercialization needs. Benefits include targeted training of individuals and direct engagement with Industry to work on commercially viable solutions.
C2C has two variants/options:
1: C2C R&D Standalone Grant
- OCI cash contribution $20K-$150K (Industry Direct Cash $10K-$75K + in-kind, cash matched 2:1 by OCI)
- Project duration 6-24 months
- companies of any size, but with a demonstrated receptor capacity
2: C2C grant combined with NSERC Alliance Grant
- OCI cash contribution $20K-$30K (Industry Direct Cash $10K-$15K + in-kind, cash matched 2:1 by OCI, and also matched 2:1 by NSERC for an additional $20K-$30K
- Project duration 6-12 months
- companies must be Ontario SMEs (global headcount <500 employees)
- More info on the NSERC website (NSERC website may still refer to VIP rather than C2C)
For full application information and guidelines please visit the OCI website.
- IN-PART: Industry Partnership Opportunities
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IN-PART is an online service connecting academics with industry and their research challenges.
Collaborative research projects currently available can be found on the IN-PART website. Applications can be as short as 200-300 words and should not contain confidential information. Please review all project criteria carefully and limit your submissions to opportunities of particular relevance.
Please contact Rohan Alvares in the Innovations and Partnerships Office for assistance with the application process and who can apply to the opportunity on your behalf.
Active campaigns will be updated here as they are posted.
Opportunity
Deadline
(usually 10:59 pm GMT)
- Intellectual Property Education Program
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UofT’s IP Education Program introduces the different types of IP, how to protect it, and how to get the most value from it.
The online program was built by UofT Entrepreneurship (UTE) and the Innovations & Partnerships Office (IPO) with input from legal professionals and entrepreneurs.
Divided into two complimentary levels, IP Foundations and IP Strategy and Application, the program is integrated with Quercus (U of T’s online learning portal), allowing for inclusion into assignments, workshops, or classroom settings. In addition, U of T students who complete a module can have it recognized on their Co-curricular Record (CCR).
Program overview:
- Intro to patents, trademarks, copyright, industrial design, and trade secrets.
- Requires no prior knowledge and can be completed in ~2 hours.
- Endorsed by the Province of Ontario’s IP Action Plan.
Level 2: IP Strategy and Application
- IP strategy and commercialization, including best practices for inventors and entrepreneurs.
- Learners must complete Level 1 before advancing to Level 2.
- Intellectual Property: Protect, License and Fund with IPO
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The Innovations & Partnerships Office (IPO) is your first stop for research commercialization at U of T. IPO helps turn innovations into patents, licenses, and startups, building successful relationships between researchers, industry, and investors.
What you need to know:
- It starts with a disclosure: If a new technology, method, or product was created using U of T facilities or funding administered by U of T, a Confidential Invention Disclosure is your first step toward commercializing your research.
- Ownership: U of T has a modern, flexible invention policy that is ‘Inventor’s Choice’ – in absence of pre-existing IP rights, inventors may choose to take personal ownership, or have U of T lead commercialization.
- Intellectual property (IP) and patents: While there are many types of IP, patents may be affected by presenting and publishing. It is best to involve IPO early to help review, file, and protect your invention.
- Funding: IPO can help maximize budgets by licensing technologies and leveraging internal, public, and private funding opportunities for research and startups.
- Network: Access U of T’s growing international network of industry, mentors, and VCs to support technology validation, product development, and go-to-market.
In 2021, U of T inventors made over 180 invention disclosures, with IPO managing 74 priority patent applications, more than 39 licensing and option agreements, and 290 ongoing commercialization projects. In the last 5 years, companies based on U of T Research have secured more than $1.5 billion in investment and capital.
- OCI Life Sciences Innovation Fund
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Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) Life Sciences Innovation Fund is an early-stage co-investment fund that supports companies in Life Sciences and Healthcare Technologies sectors related to human health. The fund is aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by life sciences entrepreneurs moving innovative and capital-intensive investments from a conceptual stage through to commercialization. Through the fund, OCI co-invests with angel and other investors to help de-risk the opportunity, assisting start-ups in becoming investor and customer ready and allowing them to attract follow-on investment.
ABOUT THE FUND
Eligible companies will receive up to $500,000 in early stage risk capital to scale their made-in-Ontario health solution both at home and in global markets. This will further grow the sector and strengthen its competitiveness in key areas such as cancer treatment, regenerative medicine, neuroscience and medical technologies.
BEST SUITED FOR LIFE SCIENCES AND HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES COMPANIES RELATED TO HUMAN HEALTH THAT:
- Are Ontario or Canadian incorporated for-profit companies headquartered in Ontario
- Currently raising a pre-seed or seed investments (total round sizes ranging from $1 million to $5 million)
- Have raised less than $3 million in third-party capital
- ONRamp: call to join
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Looking for a community and workspace to build your business? Welcome to ONRamp@UTE! Located at the Banting Institute in the heart of downtown Toronto, ONRamp is a 15,000 square foot collaboration and co-working space for the U of T entrepreneurship community.
ONRamp connects innovative students, their startups and U of T Accelerators across U of T’s tri-campus.
Through access to facilities, events, and the business community in downtown Toronto, ONRamp helps to accelerate venture creation, learning and impact.
Members of ONRamp have access to three floors of co-working space, meeting rooms, event space, and amenities – located steps from the intersection of College and University.
- Reception desk
- Networking lounge
- Business centre
- RBC Hub event space
- Access to two kitchens, 14 meeting rooms, 80 workstations, 4 phone booths
- 24/7 member access
- UofT SpinUp
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On July 19th, SpinUp will begin accepting applications to select approximately 4 early-stage startups to join our program. Selected startups will begin their SpinUp membership in September 2024 for a two-year period.
Applications open via our online portal: July 19, 2024, 8:00am EST
Applications close: July 28, 2024, 11:59pm EST
Shortlist candidates notified: August 9, 2024
Shortlist candidate interviews: August 12, 2024 (15 mins; virtual)
Final selection: August 13, 2024
Virtual onboarding: August 13 - September 3, 2024
Move-in: Beginning September 3, 2024
Membership at SpinUp gives entrepreneurs access to:
Wet lab space in U of T Mississauga’s new Science Building – at heavily subsidized rates more than 50% below market standards. Here, each entrepreneur has:
- two 6ft full lab benches plus shelving and cabinetry;
- a dedicated 6ft fume hood; and
- a range of shared infrastructure, equipment, and instruments, listed here
Entrepreneurship programming run by SpinUp and UTE, one of the world's top-five university-managed business incubators. Supports include mentorship programs, networking events, and a robust curriculum customized by SpinUp and delivered by our network of partners. Our programming focuses on building strong lab cultures and helping companies scale up beyond their early stages.
Outstanding faculty and science trainees at U of T, a world top-twenty university. U of T Mississauga opens entrepreneurs to new research partnerships and opportunities for student internship – all in the Greater Toronto Area, at the heart of Canada’s two largest life science sectors.
Members also have the opportunity to work alongside other entrepreneurs at SpinUp, growing their companies through the shared knowledge of a talented cohort. Together, talent accelerates innovation.
Co-working office space in an open-concept suite, including:
- A dedicated individual cubicle with lockable cabinet; and
- Access to bookable meeting rooms.
Members also have the opportunity to work alongside other entrepreneurs at SpinUp, growing their companies through the shared knowledge of a talented cohort. Together, talent accelerates innovation.
► To learn more about SpinUp’s supports, please explore our website.
► For questions about SpinUp applications, please email spinup@utoronto.ca.
