Lab2Market Validate National Defence (Fall 2026 cohorts)

Sponsor

Lab2Market

For More Information

Please visit the Lab2Market Validate webpage.

Description

Graduate researchers (Masters, PhD and Postdoc) from Canadian universities or colleges, who are developing defence-related or dual-use technologies, and are interested in research commercialization and entrepreneurship. This program will be delivered by Dalhousie University.

Expected start date: Sept 2, 2026

Lab2Market Validate gives researchers the opportunity to critically test and evaluate their idea in the entrepreneurial landscape. This carefully curated 16-week experience is complemented by funding, exercises, workshops and mentorship from industry experts – all with exploration at its core. 

The program will take 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.

Program Overview

The 16-week program is a full-time commitment broken into the following phases:

• Phase 1: Pre-Program (4 weeks)

  • Get inspired to take the first steps toward validating your idea. You will be welcomed into a community of like-minded and driven individuals with diverse research backgrounds, hearing from successful founders who have been there and done it. You will learn principal market research methodologies and techniques to put into practice.

• Phase 2: Core-Program (8 weeks)

  • “Get out of the building” and put your learnings into action by meeting with your customers. This is an intense and fast-paced period, but you will be supported by a vast entrepreneurial network of industry experts and will also receive in-depth presentations on various entrepreneurial topics.

• Phase 3: Post-Program (4 weeks)

  • Analyze your findings and determine the appropriate path forward for your project and celebrate your successes with the Lab2Market community.

Eligibility

Graduate researchers (Masters, PhD and Postdoc) from Canadian universities or colleges, who are developing defence-related or dual-use technologies, and are interested in research commercialization and entrepreneurship.

Project Duration

16 weeks

Special Notes

This program will be delivered by Dalhousie University.

How to Apply

Apply directly through the program website.