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
- BioCreate Program
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Ontario Genomics’ BioCreate program is now open to small- and medium-sized enterprises in southern Ontario seeking to commercialize genomics and engineering biology enabled products and/or technologies in the health, food and agriculture, and cleantech sectors who have achieved a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4+. The multi-phase BioCreate program will include direct, non-repayable funding of $150,000 that will be matched by an additional $100,000 (minimum) from participating companies to a total project size of $250,000 or more. Funded companies will have access to 18-months of intensive business mentorship and access to critical infrastructure provided by Ontario Genomics’ strategic sectoral and regional partnerships.
Applications are due on June 23rd, see here for full details.
- 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
- UTEST: Apply now for the 2024 Cohort
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The 12 month UTSET program supports start-up companies based on technologies founded upon cutting-edge research from the University of Toronto. They provide access to a large network of mentors, coaching and support, in addition to intensive entrepreneurial education program provided by MaRS. Their network also provides companies access to top professional services experts, investors and tech entrepreneurs. Moreover, they offer a dedicated work space at the University of Toronto located in the heart of Toronto’s Discovery District.
UTEST Companies benefit from:
- An intensive entrepreneurial education program provided by MaRS
- Access to a large network of mentors, coaching and support
- Access to top professional services experts, investors and tech entrepreneurs
- An opportunity to present to investors on our Pitch Day and other assistance raising capital
- A chance to qualify for UTEST investment of $150,000 in the form of a SAFE.
- Select companies may also qualify for a follow-on investment of up to $500,000 through TIAP
Eligibility
Applications are open to companies with one or more founders affiliated with the University of Toronto, who are:
- Current University of Toronto students
- Current University of Toronto faculty members
- Recent University of Toronto graduates (within two years)
Since 2020 UTEST has accepted applications from UofT-affiliated hospitals. Please ensure an invention disclosure form has been submitted to your host institution’s technology transfer office and they are aware of your UTEST application
The deadline for all submissions is May 30, 2024. Apply now.
