Program Overview
Lab2Market is a nationwide program that helps brilliant minds in graduate programs and postdoctoral programs reimagine their futures. Throughout the program, they’ll discover their passion for entrepreneurship, build an entrepreneurial skillset, and connect with the network they need to turn their ideas into successful businesses.
McGill University is a delivery partner of the national Lab2Market programs.
Upcoming cohorts:
L2M Validate Health - Fall 2026
Eligibility: Graduate researchers (Masters, PhD and Postdoc) from Canadian universities or colleges, who are developing health-related technologies, and are interested in research commercialization and entrepreneurship. This program will be delivered by the University of Toronto.
Program Dates: October 1 - January 14, 2027
Application deadline: May 22, 2026, 11:59 PM EST
Discover if entrepreneurship is for you
Lab2Market Discover’s online exploratory program helps you explore entrepreneurship and the potential of transforming your academic research into a world-changing technologies.
Lab2Market Discover is offered to Quebec applicants and francophones across Canada through the Quebec Scientific Entrepreneurship (QcSE) Program at V1 Studio. The program's content and experience are consistent with Lab2Market Discover, offered to residents of other provinces and territories. Quebec applicants can learn more by clicking here.
Upcoming cohort:
Applications are closed.
Validate your idea as a business
Critically evaluate and stress test your research as a potential opportunity.
- $10,000 stipend for the entrepreneurial lead
- Product-market fit assessment
- A world-class curriculum delivered by innovation leaders
- Access to best-in-class advisors, industry experts, and funders
- Access to a vast entrepreneurial network and community
Upcoming cohort:
L2M Validate Ontario - Fall 2026
Eligibility: Graduate researchers (Masters, PhD and Postdoc) from universities and colleges in Ontario, from all disciplines, who are looking to critically test and evaluate their idea in the entrepreneurial landscape. This cohort will be delivered by Toronto Metropolitan University.
Expected start date: September 21, 2026
Application deadline: June 7, 2026, 11:59 PM EST
L2M Validate Foundations Alberta - Spring 2026
Eligibility: Graduate researchers (Masters, PhD, and Postdoc) and Professors from universities and colleges in Alberta, who are interested in exploring research commercialization and entrepreneurship. This program will be delivered by the University of Alberta in partnership with Innovate Calgary and the University of Lethbridge.
Program dates: June 15 - June 17 - June 19, 2026
Application deadline: June 10, 2026, 11:30 PM MST
L2M Validate Foundations Women in Research Prairies/Alberta - Spring 2026
Eligibility: Women graduate researchers (Masters, PhD, Postdoc) and women undergraduate students from universities and colleges in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, from all disciplines, who are interested in exploring research commercialization and entrepreneurship. This program will be delivered by the University of Manitoba with the support of the University of Alberta.
Program Dates: June 29, 2026
Application deadline: June 26, 2026, 4:00 PM CDT
Register for an info session on June 1 and June 16.
L2M Oceans / Validate Foundations - Spring 2026
Eligibility: Graduate students, recent graduates, and faculty and research staff from universities and colleges in Canada, who are interested in exploring research commercialization and entrepreneurship. This program will be delivered by the Ocean Startup Project. Priority will be given to students in ocean-related fields.
Program dates: June 23 - 25, 2026, 11:00 am - 3:30 pm EDT
Application deadline: June 21, 2026, 11:30 pm PDT
Launch your business into the real world
Build your business case, prepare for funding rounds, and become a startup.
- $10,000 stipend for the entrepreneurial lead
- Develop leadership skills to steer your startup
- Strengthen your business and operational know-how
- Learn how to effectively manage and scale a venture
- Get expert guidance on securing venture financing
Upcoming cohorts:
Applications are closed.
