AI-enabled weed identification for farmers to feed communities more sustainably. Precise 3-D tracking of devices during medical procedures. Better alerts to prevent solar energy loss. Establishing Canada’s first pediatric pain management standard.
These are some of the solutions that will be showcased during Dal Innovation Week. With its main events taking place from October 5-9, this week features more than 15 events designed to inspire participants to discover what’s possible when great ideas connect with the right people.
“Dalhousie is one of Canada’s U15 research-intensive universities and Dal Innovation Week showcases the calibre of our talented student founders and researchers, and the breadth and depth of opportunities that support them,” says Dr. Graham Gagnon, vice-president research and innovation at Dalhousie University.
The week includes a weekend Space Hackathon, startup pitch competitions in health care, open street innovation, expert-led workshops, panel discussions on career opportunities, innovation bingo with Enactus, and more. All events are free-of-cost and open to students, researchers, entrepreneurs, faculty and staff, as well as community leaders and, for those who sign up early, there’s likely a meal included. (Full story published by Dal News.)
Browse the full program of events below with links to more details and prepare to get inspired and make connections:
Campus2Market Discover Kickoff l More info
When: Thurs. Oct. 1, 2026, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
What: Build your founder mindset, Week 1 of 7.
Where: Killam Memorial Library, Collider Room 2600, 6225 University Ave., Halifax, N.S.
Mission Accepted Space Hackathon l More info
When: Fri. Oct. 2 to Sun. Oct. 4, 2026
What: Weekend hackathon developing solutions using satellite data.
Where: Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Ave., Halifax, N.S.
Fuel Up: Breakfast with Propel ICT l More info
When: Mon. Oct. 5, 2026, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
What: Find out where founders are being most challenged.
Where: Emera ideaHUB, 3rd Floor, Room 3010, 1345 Norma Eddy Lane, Halifax, N.S.
Got an Idea? A Fireside Chat with Robert Bannerman l More info
When: Mon. Oct. 5, 2026, noon to 1:30 p.m.
What: Join panelists Lynette Peters and Emily Neil and learn to move your ideas to market.
Where: Goldberg Computer Science Building, Room 430, 6050 University Ave., Halifax, N.S.
Pulse Health Innovation Challenge l More info
When: Mon. Oct. 5, 2026, noon to 4:00 p.m.
What: Afternoon workshop where your new ideas in healthcare win prizes.
Where: Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building, Room 3089, 6100 University Ave., Halifax, N.S.
Dal Demo Day Expo and Pitch Competition l More info
When: Tues. Oct. 6, 2026, noon to 3:00 p.m.
What: Featuring Atlantic Canada’s top student entrepreneurs.
Where: Joseph Strug Concert Hall, 1385 Seymour St., Halifax, N.S.
Building a Life in Sciences with Dr. Raza Abidi l More info
When: Tues. Oct. 6, 2026, noon to 1:00 p.m.
What: Working on your science degree? Hear how Dr. Abidi found his niche.
Where: Goldberg Computer Science Building, Room 430, 6050 University Ave., Halifax, N.S.
IP 101: An Intellectual Property Fireside Chat l More info
When: Tues. Oct. 6, 2026, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
What: Legal experts Stewart Hayne and Lachland MacLeod break down the basics of IP and how it applies to you.
Where: Surge Innovation Sandbox, Life Science Centre. Location at Dalhousie University is TBD.
Emera ideaHUB: Coffee & Connection l More info
When: Wed. Oct. 7, 2026, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
What: Start your day connecting with innovators at the HUB.
Where: Emera ideaHUB, 3rd Floor, Room 3010, 1345 Norma Eddy Lane, Halifax, N.S.
Tour the Emera ideaHUB l More info
When: Wed. Oct. 7, 2026, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
What: Find out about programming and prototyping expertise offered through this deep-tech incubator.
Where: Emera IDEA Building Lobby, 1345 Norma Eddy Lane, Halifax, N.S.
Lunch & Learn: What is Human-Centred Design (HCD)? l More info
When: Wed. Oct. 7, 2026, noon to 1:00 p.m.
What: Join designer and researcher Glen Hougan to learn the principles of HCD.
Where: Emera ideaHUB, 3rd Floor, Room 3004, 1345 Norma Eddy Lane, Halifax, N.S.
Innovation Rx: From Bench to Bedside l More info
When: Wed. Oct. 7, 2026, 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.
What: A fireside chat on moving new medical technologies from research to patient care.
Where: Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, Theatre C, 5850 College St., Halifax, N.S.
Surge: Careers in Focus l More info
When: Wed. Oct. 7, 2026, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
What: Find out what lies beneath unconventional ocean careers.
Where: Life Sciences Centre (LSC), Anne Marie Ryan Room, 2nd Floor Wallace McCain Learning Commons, 6305 Castine Way, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Enactus Innovation Bingo l More info
When: Wed. Oct. 7, 2026, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
What: Play bingo, meet Enactus Dalhousie student teams and learn about their social enterprises.
Where: Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building, Room 1007, 6100 University Ave., Halifax, N.S.
Open Street Innovation l More info
When: Thurs. Oct. 8, 2026, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
What: Be on the lookout for random acts of innovation happening across 30 booths.
Where: Studley Quad, Dalhousie campus. Rain location: MacDonald Building, University Hall.
Centres & Institutes Open House l More info
When: Thurs. Oct. 8, 2026, noon to 3:30 p.m.
What: Discover how Dalhousie’s research leaders are tackling global challenges.
Where: Fountain School of Performing Arts, Catherine Steele Atrium, 6101 University Ave., Halifax, N.S.
Faculty of Open Learning: Sales Pitch Competition l More info
When: Thurs. Oct. 8, 2026, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
What: Pitch. Persuade. Win. Workshop on the principles of professional selling.
Where: Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building, Room 4055, 6100 University Ave., Halifax, N.S.
Tour the Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity l More info
When: Fri. Oct. 9, 2026, Tour 1 at 1:30 p.m.; Tour 2 at 3:00 p.m.
What: Book your free tour to see fascinating marine exhibits and meet a rare half-blue lobster.
Where: Steele Ocean Sciences Building, Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity, 6375 Edzell Castle Circle, Halifax, N.S.