SFU INNOVATES
SFU Innovates is the university's award winning innovation strategy with a mission to engage SFU researchers, staff and students with our communities and partners to solve societal challenges through innovation and entrepreneurship.
SFU is ranked as Canada’s number one university for innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and industrial application according to the World's Universities with Real Impact (WURI) 2023 rankings. The WURI rankings measure how universities contribute to society and highlight creative and innovative approaches to university research and education.
By creating and mobilizing knowledge, nurturing partnerships, and harnessing the power of research and innovation, engagement at SFU becomes an instrument for change. We make space for new ideas and innovations to grow.
ENGAGE WITH US: sfu_innovates@sfu.ca
Moving Ideas into Action
SFU Innovates brings together one of the world’s most comprehensive continuums of programming and resources for entrepreneurs and changemakers—from interdisciplinary learning, early stage ideation and venture mentorship, to helping companies scale up. SFU offers programming at every stage of the innovation journey.
SFU INNOVATES IS BUILT ON Four INTERCONNECTED pillars
Industry and community research partnerships
Bridging the gap to create innovations that benefit society.
SFU's Partnerships Hub (partner with us)
Technology Licensing Office (TLO)
Community-Centred Climate Innovation
Incubation and acceleration
Transforming ideas made in the classroom, lab and community into ventures that scale.
Coast Capital Venture Connection
Entrepreneurship
Developing a mindset that applies creativity, adaptability and collaboration to solve problems that matter.
Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship
Beedie School of Business Invention to Innovation (i2I) Program
Social innovation
Developing emerging leaders and solutions for a sustainable, just and healthy community.
SFU Executive MBA in Indigenous Business and Leadership
SFU Innovates Leaders
SFU Innovates is supported by industry, academic, government and community leaders who are passionate about enabling the next generation of changemakers and entrepreneurs.
Dugan O'Neil
Vice-President Research and International | Simon Fraser University
Elicia Maine
Associate Vice-President, Knowledge Mobilization and Innovation | Simon Fraser University
Kamaldeep (Kam) Singh Sembi
Director & IP Legal Counsel of the Technology Licensing Office | Simon Fraser University
Sarah Lubik
Director of Entrepreneurship, Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship | Simon Fraser University
Shawn Smith
Director of Social Innovation, Co-Director of RADIUS | Simon Fraser University
Neil Branda
SFU Innovates Director of Technology Readiness & Prototyping, Scientific Director of 4D LABS | Simon Fraser University
Lesley Esford
Executive Director, SFU VentureLabs | Simon Fraser University