Launch your business into the real world
Lab2Market Launch is a 12-week summer accelerator that brings together members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem from across Canada to turn ideas into viable businesses.Â
Who’s It For? Graduate students, masters, Ph.D., post-doc, and faculty eager to launch a business based on their research, and have conducted a minimum of 50 initial customer discovery interviews.Â
The Lab2Market Launch program is a summer accelerator for students and researchers who are committed to growing their ventures. Lab2Market Launch is a 12-week immersive program that brings together members of the Canadian entrepreneurial ecosystem to turn ideas into viable products. Past teams have gone on to further their ventures at top accelerators around the world.Â
Our goal is to develop innovators and entrepreneurs. We do this through a process of accountability by helping participants to achieve the milestones they set for themselves.Â
This summer, Dal Innovates is offering the Lab2Market Launch program for students and faculty from Atlantic Canadian institutions.Â
How it works
June – September | 10 teams | Receive a $10,000 stipend per team, and $5,000 will also be available for eligible project costs.
Accelerate and refine your venture through workshops on Customer Problem, Product Value, and Business Model. Get insights and support from a range of successful entrepreneurs and industry experts to guide you through your idea development and testing stages.
September Onwards
Onwards and upwards! Use your newfound connections and momentum to push your venture to new heights. The Launch ecosystem will always stay behind you, cheering you on.
Why join the Lab2Market Launch program?
Mentorship and Coaching: Industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs provide feedback and advice. Meet the founder council members.
Simulated “Board of Directors”: Accountability and real-world exposure through monthly simulated Board of Director meetings
Networking: Opportunities to develop connections with fellow entrepreneurs, funders, investors, startup thought leaders, ecosystem players, and industry experts
Opportunity to win cash prizes: On Pitch Day, teams will have the chance to compete for a prize pool of $9,000.
Mental Resilience: Mental resilience coaching to handle stress and anxiety, along with one year subscription to headspace app
Perks and benefits: Access to course materials, work space, personalized feedback, media mentions, and others
The Lab2Market Launch Atlantic cohort begins in May, with some pre-training sessions leading up to the core program. The core program will run virtually from June 2 to August 29, with a week-long break from July 16 to July 20. The program will conclude with a Pitch Day at Dalhousie University, Halifax, on September 24, 2025.Â
Applications open  –  January 10, 2025
Applications close – March 2, 2025
Acceptance confirmed by  – early April
Orientation Session: May 14, 2025 from 10am-11:30 amÂ
Pre-training Session : May 15, 2025 from 10am- 12pmÂ
Kick Off Event (in person) – May 23, 2025
Program – June 2, 2025 to August 29, 2025Â
Pitch Day (in person) – scheduled for September 24, 2025 as part of Dal Innovation Week.
Please note that there will be no programming during the week of July 14.
To apply simply fill out the online application form and outline the following details:Â
- Your team (+ faculty / PI)
- Your ideaÂ
- The problem you are trying to solve, and what inspired you to solve this problemÂ
- Your proposed solution, and why you believe this solution might support a sustainable, stand-alone business.Â
Applications are reviewed by a team of evaluators. Shortlisted teams will be invited to interview with us during the review phase and will be confirmed by early April. Â
Please note: Applications should be written in a manner that does not reveal any proprietary information or disclose information that is not yet publicly disclosed or covered by a patent/provisional patent. Consider any information that you disclose to be non-confidential.Â
- One team is composed of two co-founders who plan to participate in the program (no single applicant or more than 2 co-founders.)Â
- At least one participating team member (main applicant) must be a current student, recent graduate (within the past two years), or researcher from an Atlantic Canadian post-secondary academic institute.
- Both founders must commit to working on their startup for the summer for a minimum of 25 hours each per week.Â
- The program is funded, in part, through the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program. As a result, the main applicant must be eligible for Mitacs funding and participate full-time to qualify for the stipend.
- A faculty supervisor must agree to support your application. This faculty member must be capable of holding Tri-Council funding and will be required to disperse Mitacs funding.
- Teams should have completed a substantial customer discovery of at least 50 interviews to validate their idea.
- Teams must have a strong understanding of their current business model based on data from customers and stakeholders.
- Each venture dedicated to a specific idea can go through the Launch program only once.
Info session
Upcoming information session
 #1: January 29, 2025 from 12pm- 1pm
Sign up link coming soon.
Upcoming information session #2:
February 11, 2025 from 10am- 11am
Sign up link coming soon.
What participants are saying
“It was a pleasure to sit on a board for the [Launch] program. Watching teams use the feedback the board provided to them to improve month by month was rewarding. It was incredible to see how the teams grew and learned as they brought their ideas to life”
– Catherine Love, board member @ Launch
“[Launch] is the ideal program for a start-up looking to test the waters with their exciting new idea. They set you up for future success by teaching you the strategies to discover more about your customers and your market. The team also helps you develop a strong business plan so by the time the program is over, you will be ready to the next stage of your start-up’s journey”
– Jared Hudson, Co-founder @ MyPAQ
Lab2Market Launch Alumni
Dr Crystal Sweeney, Founder of PureSpire Biomonitoring Technologies
Where Ideas Meet Impact: Analytical toxicologist builds startup to help firefighters manage risk of carcinogen exposure
Read more
Ravi Kempaiah, CEO of Zen Electric
Startup pivots to meet surge in global demand for better two‑wheeled EV batteries
Read more
Dr Rafaela Andrade, CEO of Myomar Molecular
Dal postdoc wins Mitacs entrepreneurship award for world’s first at‑home test to measure muscle health
Tommy Davis, Chief Science Officer at Foodimprover
Where Ideas Meet Impact: In business to build a better apple
Upcoming cohort
Applications for L2M Launch 2025 will open January 10, 2025!
For any technical problems or queries regarding your application or eligibility, please reach out to George Wu – Program Manager at george.wu[at]dal.ca
The Launch accelerators are made possible with the support of the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Mitacs, Springboard Atlantic, and with private sectors partners.
