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Stem Cell Network Awards for Lab2Market Validate
Application Event Deadline: May 23, 2025
Start Date: September 29, 2025
Location: Virtual
Apply here
Lab2Market Validate, formally known as Lab2Market, 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. SCN is pleased to collaborate with Lab2Market to support the participation of the stem cell and regenerative medicine research community in the upcoming National Health cohort of Lab2Market Validate.
Who Should Attend?
Applicants must apply in teams consisting of:
Entrepreneurial Lead (EL): A full time graduate (Masters or Ph.D.) student, postdoctoral fellow within five years of having finished their graduate degree, or research assistant. The EL is expected to work on the project full-time (20-40 hours/week) over the duration of the program, representing the team in all training sessions and leading all activities. Please note, undergrads are also eligible if they have been involved in the generation of the project’s intellectual property.
Technical Lead (TL): The principal investigator of the research project. The TL is expected to participate in select training sessions and assist the EL throughout theprogram.
The Lab2Market Validate program is open to all researchers in Canada. To be eligible for seats supported by Stem Cell Network, the trainee (Entrepreneurial Lead) and PI (Technical Lead) must be working in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine in a Canadian lab.
Participants in Lab2Market Validate will receive:
- $10,000 in funding.
- The opportunity to assess product-market fit.
- 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.
How to Apply
Lab2Market Validate is highly competitive. SCN is offering up to three awards that will support seats for stem cells and regenerative medicine researchers to participate in the program. To apply for the SCN awards:
- See more details and apply for the Lab2Market Validate program here.
- Send an email with the subject line “Lab2Market Validate Application” to trainingSCN@stemcellnetwork.ca. In the email, please attach the CV of the Entrepreneurial Lead (trainee) and indicate the date that the application was submitted to Lab2Market.
Program Details
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.
More details, including the program schedule can be found in the informational packet here.
How to Apply
Lab2Market Validate is highly competitive. SCN is offering up to three awards that will support seats for stem cells and regenerative medicine researchers to participate in the program. To apply for the SCN awards:
- See more details and apply for the Lab2Market Validate program here.
- Send an email with the subject line “Lab2Market Validate Application” to trainingSCN@stemcellnetwork.ca. In the email, please attach the CV of the Entrepreneurial Lead (trainee) and indicate the date that the application was submitted to Lab2Market.
Eligibility
Applications should be completed by teams of graduate student researchers (Masters, Ph.D. students) and/or Postdoctoral fellows and their faculty supervisors from Canada’s universities and colleges who are interested in exploring entrepreneurship.
To be eligible for seats supported by Stem Cell Network, researchers must be working in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine in a Canadian lab.
Conditions
By accepting a Stem Cell Network award, the recipient agrees to complete a survey describing the value of the training and networking opportunities made available through the award. This information will be used at SCN’s discretion on its website, newsletters and for the purpose of reporting to their funding agencies.
About Lab2Market
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.
Through some of Canada’s leading academic institutions, Lab2Market is a head-start for Canadian research-based ventures.
Gain access to the tools that are necessary to keep yourself and team members accountable, learn best practices on market research and application and connect with a growing cross-Canada network of researchers who have been there and done that – all the while benefiting from what they’ve learned.
Questions:
For further information on this Lab2Market program, contact validate@lab2market.ca. For SCN application related enquiries, please contact trainingSCN@stemcellnetwork.ca.
