Science Entrepreneur Accelerator

  • Graduate
  • 1 Year

Program Overview

The Science Entrepreneur Accelerator pilot is a program designed for SFU alumni from the Invention to Innovation (i2I) program to take their research-based ventures to the next level through customized support and resources from multiple partners within the SFU innovation ecosystem.

The Pilot’s team-based approach brings together founder and scientific mentorship, lab access and IP strategy support, targeted programming and founder training and investor connections. 

The Pilot began in April 2021 and runs to March 31 2022 with potential for continuation.

Funding for this project has been provided by Genome BC as part of the SFU Innovates Life Science Stream (LSS).

For any questions about the Science Entrepreneur Accelerator Pilot Program, please reach out to Thomas Partridge, Incubator Programs Manager at inc_changinstitute@sfu.ca. 

2021-22 Pilot Program Participants

Mirjam Mai
Fibrilex Canada Inc.

Fibrilex

Fibrilex is producing low carbon intensity bio-oils from agricultural and forestry organic waste for transportation fuel producers who need to reduce their carbon intensity (per regulation) that unlike other pyrolysis products will have the lowest possible carbon intensity due to proprietary process optimization – unlike competitors who focus on highest possible yield

Reza Rezaei
Aqua Intelligent Technology

Aqua App

IoT SAAS application to help remote communities access water facilities, communicate and provide solutions for access to clean drinking water.

Macarena Cataldo-Hernandez
Viridis Research

Veox

Electrooxidation system safely targets microplastics and persistent organics released by synthetic textiles during washing, reducing plastic and other pollution reaching local waters.

Viridiana Perez
NANOSentinel

The Canary

Portable technology to quickly measure trace metal content on macro and nanoscale samples of solids and liquids such as water and soil samples.

Ahmad Movahedian Attar
Traxe Technologies

Traxe

A blockchain-based traceability token for food product brands or retailers, delivering food traceability to end consumers.

Eric Cheng
Isolatrix

Isolatrix

Single cell isolator for enabling biological applications i.e. single cell genomic sequencing or monoclonal antibody development, offering precision isolation of single cells with high-throughput, high-capture, high purity, and data driven analytics.

Lu Han & Tong Li
Poly V Technology Inc.

VISPA

Fuctionalized polydicyclopentadiene – a lighter, stronger, and greener novel polymer steel which can help reduce 20% vehicle weight, 2 times more than the current industry standard.


Program Partners

The Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship is creating Canada’s most comprehensive and inclusive continuum of interdisciplinary, experiential programming to develop the entrepreneurial mindset, working closely with all SFU faculties and innovation partners in one of Canada’s most supportive university ecosystems.  Its flagship incubator Coast Capital Venture Connection brings serial entrepreneurs and industry advisors into SFU as Mentors-in-Residence to early-stage venture teams.

VentureLabs accelerates science, technology, and innovation-based companies that have winning value propositions and strong potential to scale up. Its programs and services are tailored to each company’s needs to not just grow but grow smart, connecting entrepreneurs with experienced mentors and a network of resources focused on tackling the unique challenges and complexities faced by technology innovators.

The Invention to Innovation (i2I) Graduate Certificate in Science & Technology is a unique and rewarding entrepreneurship program that helps scientists and engineers commercialize their inventions and overcome marketplace challenges. The one-year, part-time program also provides start-up ventures or existing firms with essential frameworks, perspectives and techniques to contribute to new product development and commercialization in industry.

4D LABS is an open-access applications- and science-driven Core Facility at SFU’s Burnaby campus offering fully customized research and development programs for researchers, start-ups and industry.

SFU’s Technology Licensing Office is focused on delivering intellectual property (IP) protection and technology licensing services and support to faculty, graduate students and university researchers in the strategic management of the IP they generate through their inventions.

Genome BC is a not-for-profit organization supporting world-class genomics research and innovation to grow globally competitive life sciences sectors and deliver sustainable benefits for British Columbia, Canada and beyond. The organization’s initiatives are improving the lives of British Columbians by advancing health care in addition to addressing environmental and natural resource challenges. In addition to scientific programming, Genome BC works to integrate genomics into society by supporting responsible research and innovation and foster an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among educators, students and the public. Some of the Chang Institute’s services to support early-stage ventures are delivered through the SFU Innovates Life Sciences Stream (LSS) Program, funded by Genome BC.  

Through the LSS, Genome BC has invested over $500,000 in SFU entrepreneurs since 2017.


Pilot Advisory & Management Team

Advisory Committee

Director and instructor of the graduate program Invention to Innovation (i2I)

Dr. Elicia Maine

Special Advisor on Innovation to the VP Research and International (VPRI)

Dr. Sarah Lubik

SFU Director of Entrepreneurship; Executive Director, Chang Institute

Dr. Neil Branda

SFU Innovates Director of Technology Readiness & Prototyping, Executive Director, 4D LABS

Dr. Lesley Esford

Life Science Lead, Chang Institute

Dave Thomas

Mentor-in-Residence, Venture Connection; EIR & Programs Director, VentureLabs

Project Team

Janice OBriain

Programs Director, Chang Institute; Pilot Project Lead

Dr. Lesley Duncan

Operations Director, VentureLabs

Thomas Partridge

Incubator Programs Manager, Chang Institute

Finlay MacNab

i2I Program, Post-Doctoral Fellow

Kam Sembi

Executive Director, Technology Licensing Office

Genome BC Liaison

Dr. Rahul Singh

Senior Sector Manager, Agrifood and Natural Resources

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