Dal Innovates 2024-25 Annual Report

Dal Innovates 2024-25 Annual Report

In reflection, 2024–25 was a pivotal year for Dal Innovates. Our best-in-class innovation and entrepreneurship programs equipped over 7,000 students and researchers with the skills and mindset to turn ideas into impactful ventures. This report highlights the entrepreneurial journeys of Dal Innovates alumni Pooya Nikbakhsh, Lauren Mackay, and Eddie Cobbold.

Our programming excellence was further recognized in January when Dalhousie and its institutional partners secured the largest investment in student entrepreneurship skills training in our history—$32 million from the Government of Canada —positioning Dalhousie University as the national headquarters for expanding Lab2Market across Canada.

In October, Dal Innovates launched the Collide program across Atlantic Canada, guiding students from idea to venture. New regional partners Mount Allison, NSCC, and UPEI came on board and program participation surged by 60%, with 455 students exploring entrepreneurship.

Our innovation ecosystem continues to deliver real impact—57 ventures created 143 jobs through the Emera ideaHUB, 39 companies raised $179 million via CDL-Atlantic, and Lab2Market has helped launch 125 startups since 2020.

We’re grateful for all the amazing volunteers, mentors, participants, and ecosystem partners who together help make us one of Canada’s leading hubs for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Please take a moment to download the 2024-25 annual report to share in the successes of those who are introducing ground-breaking products and services to the world.

Dal Innovates growing ecosystem:
Surge, Cultiv8, Pulse, ShiftKey Labs, IDEA MakerSpace, Collide, Lab2Market, Lab2Market Oceans, Emera ideaHUB, Creative Destruction Lab-Atlantic, CDL-Atlantic Prime, CDL-Atlantic Oceans, MindFrame Connect.

This Annual Report features alumni spotlights on: Pucktive Inc., CoaTech Solutions and Head First Care Inc.

Dal Innovates programming is made possible with support from the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Mitacs, Province of Nova Scotia, Springboard Atlantic, Build Ventures, and Morrison Park Advisors. 

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About Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an agricultural campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of the university’s 20,000-plus students coming from outside the province. Dal’s 6,000 faculty and staff foster a diverse, purpose-driven community, one that spans 13 faculties and conducts more than $250 million in research annually. Our researchers have global impact—whether it’s as an international leader in ocean and environmental science helping to fight climate change, through research commercialization that contributes to our regional and national economies, by influencing policies that advance equity and civil society, or health discoveries that improve our wellbeing and longevity.

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