The University of Toronto and local commercialization community offer multiple programs, competitions, resources, and services to help researchers and trainees at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy translate their discoveries into commercial ventures. Please contact a member of the 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
- AcceleratorFest
On September 17, 2026 the third annual U of T AcceleratorFest returns for a one-day showcase of the U of T resources and opportunities that support entrepreneurs at every stage. Meet the teams behind U of T’s 13 campus accelerators at the Accelerator Showcase and Reverse Pitch, and hear from two inspiring entrepreneurs at the Desjardins Speaker Series on how they turned their ideas into scalable ventures. Register now
- Collaborate2Commercialize (C2C)
The Ontario Centre of Innovation’s Collaborate2Commercialize (C2C) program helps Ontario researchers and industry partners work together to solve real-world business challenges and accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies and intellectual property. The program supports collaborative R&D projects that leverage the expertise, talent, and specialized infrastructure available at Ontario’s post-secondary institutions and research hospitals.
Why researchers and companies choose C2C:
- Up to $150,000 in project funding
- 1:1 industry matching requirement, with up to 50% of the company contribution eligible as in-kind support
- Close to 90% application success rate
- Fast application processing, typically 6–8 weeks
- Supports industry-academic collaborations with strong commercialization potential
Industry Partner Eligibility
To participate, the industry partner must be:
- An Ontario-based, for-profit company
- Incorporated for at least two years
- Employing 5–499 employees globally
- Maintaining at least 50% of its workforce in Ontario
NSERC-Alliance Stream
Individual proposals can request from $20,000 up to $50,000 from NSERC Alliance grants and from $20,000 up to $50,000 from OCI C2C, with a corresponding $20,000 to $50,000 from the industry partner (at least 50% must be cash provided to the academic institution).
If you are a researcher with an industry partner interested in collaborating on an innovation or commercialization project, please contact Joco Amante at jamante@oc-innovation.ca to discuss eligibility and application opportunities.
Learn more: https://www.oc-innovation.ca/programs/collaborate-2-commercialize/
- Connaught Innovation Award
The Connaught Innovation Awards provide one-time funding of up to $150,000 to support technology validation, product development, and commercialization for projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above as defined by:
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) for software and engineering.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) for therapeutics, medical devices and diagnostics.Projects at a lower TRL may be considered if they include evidence of market need from industry, investors, community partners, or other organizations, and identify potential follow-up funding sources to advance the TRL.
Successful projects will have strong socio-economic and/or commercial potential, enabling the technology to make a positive impact on society.
Funding
The total funding available for this year’s program is $1,500,000. Applicants can request up to $150,000 per project. Applicants requesting more than $100,000 require strong evidence of industry interest, leveraged funding opportunities, or investment.
Projects
Projects must be led by a full-time faculty member whose primary employer is the U of T, and who is Tri-Agency active.
Proposed projects must be based on an existing invention disclosure filed to and approved by IPO by September 14, 2026, and cannot have been used as the basis for previously funded Connaught Innovation Awards.
Application
A Notice of Intent (NOI) must be submitted to the Connaught Secretariat for each project by September 25, 2026. Full applications are by invitation only and will be accepted following NOI approval. The deadline for full application submissions is October 26, 2026.
PROGRAM MATERIALS:
- Innovation Challenge Startup
The Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, in partnership with the University of Toronto Engineering Partnerships Office, Mitacs, and the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), is hosting the Innovation Challenge: a targeted matchmaking initiative connecting Ontario-based AI/tech startups and scaleups with University of Toronto researchers to catalyze new research collaborations.
This initiative is designed for startups and scaleups seeking academic research partners to advance a defined R&D challenge.
Participating companies will deliver a brief pitch outlining a specific research problem or project for which they are seeking collaboration with academic researchers. The pitch session will be followed by structured matchmaking discussions with University of Toronto researchers whose expertise aligns with the company’s challenge.
Projects arising from this event may be eligible for funding through programs such as OCI’s Collaborate to Commercialize (C2C) and Mitacs funding opportunities.
This opportunity is open to AI and tech companies across Ontario. While all industry aligned startups are encouraged to apply, preference will be given to startups and scaleups whose proposed projects align with Mitacs program criteria and OCI’s C2C eligibility requirements.
Additional information regarding the matchmaking format and requirements will be shared with selected participants.
To apply, companies must:
- Be a for-profit, Ontario-based startup or scaleup operating in the AI/tech sector.
- Be available to attend the matchmaking event in person on November 5th, 2026 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus.
- Be affiliated with OCI, Mitacs, the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus and/or the University of Toronto.
- Meet eligibility criteria for OCI’s Collaborate to Commercialize (C2C) program and/or Mitacs program criteria.
- Present a clearly defined R&D challenge suitable for academic collaboration.
Application Deadline: September 20th, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET submitted online.
Selected candidates will be notified on September 21st, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact the SR Ecosystem team at sric.ecosystem@utoronto.ca.
- Intellectual Property Education Program
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
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.
- Inventor Portal
The Inventor Portal is the university’s new platform for submitting and managing invention disclosures.
Moving forward, all new invention disclosures must be submitted through the Inventor Portal. As part of this launch, paper-based disclosure forms will no longer be accepted after April 24th, 2026.
Why this benefits you:
- Faster processing and review of disclosures
- Real-time tracking of submission status
- Secure, organized record-keeping of innovation activity
Access the Inventor Portal here:
https://inventor.research.utoronto.ca/InteumWeb/inventorportal/login.aspx
More information on the Invention Disclsoure Process is here:
https://research.utoronto.ca/inventions-commercialization-entrepreneurship/disclose-invention
For questions or support with the portal, please contact Lilia Smale at lilia.smale@utoronto.ca or 416-978-4521.
- Lab2Market Discover Health
Are you interested in exploring the commercial potential of your research? Applications for the Lab2Market Discover Health Fall 2026 cohort are now open!
Led by the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, this virtual 10-week program offers a unique platform to connect and collaborate with fellow life science researchers from across Canada. Lab2Market Health Discover equips health science researchers with the foundational skills, market insights, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to translate academic research from the bench into real-world solution.
Program Highlights & Benefits
Participants in the Discover Health program will:
- Explore Commercial Potential: Gain insights into market opportunities and business models for your research.
- Solve Real-World Challenges: Learn how to bridge the gap between academic innovation and healthcare needs.
- Develop an Entrepreneurial Mindset: Build strategic, problem-solving ways of thinking to enhance your career path.
- Explore Career Pathways: Discover whether entrepreneurship, commercialization, or industry venture creation is the right trajectory for you.
This program is open to applicants across Canadian institutions, healthcare organizations, and affiliated networks who have an interest in learning how innovation and entrepreneurship can advance health research:
- Current fourth-year undergraduate students and graduate students (Master's or PhD) enrolled in a Canadian university.
- Postdoctoral fellows and clinical fellows affiliated with any Canadian academic or research institution.
- Faculty, clinicians, and health researchers affiliated with Canadian academic institutions, hospitals, or healthcare organizations.
Key Details & Dates
Program Duration: October 13, 2026 – December 15, 2026 (10 Weeks, Virtual)
Application Deadline: October 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
Application Portal: lab2market.ca/discover
- OCI Life Sciences Innovation Fund
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
- UofT Ecosystem Tour
Curious about what happens inside one of Toronto's fastest-growing innovation hubs?
As part of University of Toronto Entrepreneurship’s AcceleratorFest, join us Thursday, September 17 at 2:30 PM for an exclusive guided tour of the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus and discover the organizations, spaces, and people helping to turn bold ideas into real-world impact.
Explore the collaborative spaces, labs, and innovation organizations that support founders, researchers, startups, and growing companies across technology, AI, and the life sciences.
You'll gain a firsthand look at how ideas move from concept to commercialization and how organizations across the ecosystem work together to accelerate innovation.
- UofT Research Security Self-Assessment Tool
The Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation is pleased to announce the launch of the Research Security Self-Assessment tool.
Before applying for federal or provincial research funding, researchers are strongly encouraged to use this tool to help them identify research security policies that may be applicable to their project.
Researchers applying for research funding or requesting non-funded agreements may access this tool directly from the Research Security web page or via a new page in My Research Applications & Agreements (MRA). The new page in MRA provides helpful resources and does not collect new information for your application/agreement.
If you have questions, U of T’s Research Security Team is here to help you navigate research security requirements for funding applications and non-funded agreements. For assistance, please contact them early in your application process at researchsecurity@utoronto.ca.
