A $95 million-dollar investment in the Lab2Market program will focus on building a culture of innovation at post-secondary institutions across Canada. UM will be part of four innovation hubs, led by Red River College Polytechnic, University of Guelph, Simon Fraser University and Dalhousie University. The networks will provide tools and support to foster the development of entrepreneurship skills and commercialization capacity.

Researchers will have access to the tools, resources and expertise they need to transfer scientific, social, and service solutions to market. Those interested in entrepreneurship and innovation will learn how to bring their ideas to life with access to digital resources to enhance awareness and knowledge of commercialization processes, mentorship and business coaching, financial assistance, and opportunities for collaboration.

Dr. Az Klymiuk, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences with students collecting wild rice on South Cross Lake

“This funding is a game-changer for UM researchers and students, enabling them to turn ideas into real-world solutions for industry and society,” said Mario Pinto, Vice President (Research and International). “By investing in Manitoba’s next generation of innovators, it will boost global competitiveness, grow the economy, and create a positive impact for all Canadians.”

An example of how the funding will be used At UM is to help build capacity for advancing an Indigenous model of agriculture, coupled with inland aquaculture, to generate a circular economic route to Indigenous foods and traditional medicines. UM researchers and students are working with partners at Myera Group, Métis and First Nations communities to explore how imaginative ways of farming food and fish could lead to new food options for communities while also providing new food products in the culinary arts.

This funding is administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

This unique weekend event brings together post-secondary students from Winnipeg to learn about and practice innovation skills.

How it works

Students register as a team of students. “We were thrilled to see inter-institutional and inter-disciplinary teams this year”, said Christa Kruck [BSc(Hons)/11, MBA/16], business development officer with the Faculty of Science and member of the organizing committee.

Teams then choose a challenge that has been put forward by a local company or organization.

After a networking and training event that took place on Thursday, February 1 at 100 Innovation Drive in the UM Smart Park, teams had 48 hours to develop a solution to their challenge.

Each team pitched their validated solution to the organization that put forward the challenge.

Those winners then on to compete against one another before a panel of external judges.

Results

A team of two UM Faculty of Science students and one RRC Polytech student earned 2^nd place for their solution to the challenge: How might the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) develop a program focused on enhancing and supporting the careers of students and early-stage IT professionals?

Another team of two Faculty of Science students and two Asper School of Business students earned 3^rd place for their solution to the challenge: How can we create opportunities for post-secondary students to connect with their peers and give students the best chance at developing new friendships and connections? This challenge was put forward by Tyler Phill [BA/13, MBA/23] and founder of My Student Wellbeing.

Role of mentorship

Each team is provided with an industry mentor who helps guide the team throughout the design sprint.

“It was a joy to support student learning”, said Janine Carmichael, Faculty Specialist, Entrepreneurship with The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning. Janine was a mentor and also served on the organizing committee.

“Students are learning innovation skills, but in the process, they are also building important competencies like time management, communication, conflict resolution and so much more”, Carmichael added.

Sponsors

Thanks to incredible sponsors, students competed for $12,000 in prize money. 

Title sponsor:

Refreshment sponsor:

Networking Event sponsor:

Event sponsors:

2nd place winners, UM Students Anthony Phung and Mariia Vakulenko, along with Tal Podsosony from RRC Polytech.

3rd place winners, UM Students Tien Nguyen, Krisha Bhalala, Raymond Ly and Krish Bhalala. Interestingly, Tien and Krish met at Better Together – another event to build entrepreneurial thinking skills for the UM community last November.

Christa Kruck hosting the finals at Manitou a bi Bii dazigae.

Industry Judges: Ashley Richard [BComm(Hons)/17], Associate Director, Indigenous for Mikwam Makwa Ikwe, the National Indigenous Hub for the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) and the 50 – 30 Challenge at the University of Manitoba; Wendy Yan [PhD/20], Senior Business Development Manager for Futurpreneur; Joe Brekelmans [BCSc(Hons)/84, MSc/87, MBA/98] Vice President, Technology Investment at Canada Life, and Noah Wilson [BA/19], Senior Business Development Manager of Futurpreneur.