Lab2Market Validate

Lab2Market Validate is a free 16-week training program aimed at providing eligible researchers the opportunity to critically test and evaluate their idea in the entrepreneurial landscape, complemented by funding, exercises, workshops, and mentorship from industry experts – all with exploration at its core.

Developed as part of the national Lab2Market (L2M) initiative, the program takes eligible participants through the process of unlocking the business potential of a research idea – from meeting customers, building a network, and most importantly, developing entrepreneurial grit.

Lab2Market program delivery across British Columbia and Yukon is led by Innovation UBC and SFU VentureLabs in partnership with post-secondary institutions across British Columbia including the Shumka Centre for Creative Entrepreneurship at Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

​Program Snapshot

Dates:                  March – May 2027
Format:               Hybrid (Virtual Workshops + Key In-Person Sessions)
Commitment:  30 – 40 hours/week
Cost:                     Free

Successful participants will also receive funding from Mitacs to support their research activities.

Program Objectives

The 16-week program has a 10 week full-time commitment that teaches participants to:

  • Get inspired to take the first steps toward validating their idea by meeting community of like-minded individuals and hearing from successful entrepreneurs. Participants will learn principal market research methodologies and techniques to put into practice.
  • “Get out of the building” and put their learnings into action by meeting with your customers. This is an intense and fast-paced period, but participants will be supported by a vast entrepreneurial network of industry experts and will also receive in-depth presentations on various entrepreneurial topics.
  • Analyze their findings and determine the appropriate path forward for the participants’ projects and celebrate their successes with the Lab2Market community.

Upon completion, participants will launch their passion for entrepreneurship, forge a practical business skill set, and lock in the network required to transform their research into a successful company.

Eligibility

Validate is open to ECU students (undergraduate, masters, PhD, post-doc, certificate, diploma, continuing studies), recent graduates (within 2 years), faculty, as well as researchers affiliated with post-secondary institutions from British Columbia and Yukon including artists, designers, and creative practitioners working within or alongside academic contexts.

If you are not an ECU-affiliated researcher, please check in with your institution about eligibility. 

How To Apply

The upcoming Pacific Hub Validate Cohort (BC & Yukon) will be delivered by SFU VentureLabs and Shumka Centre for Creative Entrepreneurship at Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

Click to apply. Deadline to apply is September 21, 2026. 

Questions? Join an upcoming information session to learn more about the program: