Canada is making a significant investment in its future innovation landscape with the official launch of the National i2I (Invention to Innovation) Network. Awarded close to $23 million through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada’s Lab to Market grant competition, this groundbreaking program is set to transform how Canadian research discoveries move from the lab to real-world impact.
The i2I Network aims to tackle the persistent challenge of bridging the gap between Canadian invention and innovation. Based on decades of research in science-based entrepreneurship, the program provides comprehensive training in innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship for students, researchers, and highly qualified personnel across STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and healthcare fields.
“This program helps to solve global challenges while unlocking the underutilized potential of Canada’s top research talent,” stated a spokesperson for the National i2I Network. “Our goal is to transform the mindset, skills, and culture of Canadian STEM and healthcare researchers through tailored programs that bridge the critical gap between invention and innovation.” By equipping researchers with these essential skills, the network empowers them to become venture founders, translational scientists, or industry champions.
Since its inception, the i2I program has expanded significantly, partnering with Mitacs to reach research universities across Canada. Regional lead institutions now include prominent names such as Queen’s University, University of Waterloo, Université Laval, Polytechnique Montréal, Memorial University, Dalhousie University, and the University of Alberta.
Simon Fraser University (SFU) will play a pivotal role, co-leading the National i2I Network alongside 13 other leading Canadian research universities and health research institutes, and collaborating with 57 partner organizations. SFU also proudly co-leads, with the University of British Columbia, the Pacific hub of Lab2Market (L2M), another successful NSERC-funded network. The i2I programming is specifically designed to seamlessly integrate with L2M Validate programming, further fostering a robust ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship across the region.
With this substantial funding, the i2I Network will expand its offerings to include a full-time commercialization post-doctoral program and a Faculty Innovation Fellows program, both specifically focused on overcoming barriers in STEM and healthcare research commercialization.
To date, the i2I program has successfully trained over 500 graduates from more than 30 universities. These alumni are already making significant contributions to Canada’s innovation ecosystem, establishing their own science-based ventures, serving as translational scientists and mentors, and championing innovation within science-based industries. The National i2I Network represents a crucial step forward in nurturing a more entrepreneurial and impact-driven research culture across Canada.
