Labs4 Launches to Power Canada’s Innovation Engine
New national initiative to bridge applied research and real-world impact
In a major move for Canada’s innovation ecosystem, Labs4—a $55 million applied research commercialization engine—has officially launched. The platform brings together 38 polytechnics, colleges, and universities nationwide, aiming to turn research into tangible solutions and support entrepreneur-led growth.
The new initiative, unveiled in Winnipeg on Treaty No. 1 Territory, combines hands-on training, prototyping support, and expert mentorship across eight Regional Hubs and three Indigenous Entrepreneurship Hubs. Backed by NSERC, Mitacs, and more than three dozen academic institutions, Labs4 promises to accelerate the translation of research into market-ready ventures—especially in underserved and Indigenous communities.
What Is Labs4?
Formerly known as the College-University Lab to Market Network, Labs4 is now Canada’s applied research commercialization backbone. The program offers:
Entrepreneurship training tailored to researchers
Prototype testing and validation in state-of-the-art labs
Mentorship from industry and innovation leaders
Its mission? Close the long-standing gap between Canadian research and commercial success.
“Labs4 is built for impact. This is innovation with purpose, delivered across every region and rooted in community,” said Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Executive Director at RRC Polytech and Chair of the Labs4 Executive Committee.
How It Works: 3 Pillars of Labs4
Labs4 isn’t just a funding program—it’s a full ecosystem built on three core pillars:
1. Indigenous Entrepreneurship Hubs
Located in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, these hubs provide culturally rooted support for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit researcher-entrepreneurs. Programs are led by Indigenous institutions and shaped by self-determined goals and community traditions.
2. Technology Readiness Level-Up (TRL)
This four-month hands-on experience places researchers in applied labs. With $10,000 stipends, participants develop, test, and refine their innovations under expert guidance.
3. Market to Lab (MtL) Simulation
In just two months, participants lead student teams to solve commercialization roadblocks using real-world business problems. With the support of market mentors, they build go-to-market strategies and leadership skills.
Applications for the Fall 2025 TRL cohort are now open, giving innovators a fast path from concept to commercial prototype.
Impact That Goes Beyond Products
According to Labs4 National Director Nasil Nam, the program is about much more than startups.
“Whether it’s a prototype in a lab or a venture ready to launch, we meet entrepreneurs where they are—and move them forward with confidence.”
Labs4 is designed to boost not only new ventures, but also economic development, inclusive growth, and job creation. By streamlining commercialization and embedding equity, the initiative is expected to support hundreds of new ventures annually.
Bridging Academia, Industry, and Community
One of Labs4’s unique strengths is its positioning between academic institutions and the business world. By fostering collaboration, the initiative helps researcher-entrepreneurs move ideas faster, build smarter partnerships, and scale with purpose.
Importantly, Labs4 also addresses equity barriers, making its tools and facilities more accessible to underrepresented innovators—including women, BIPOC communities, and rural entrepreneurs.
Want to Learn More?
To explore Labs4’s programs, tools, and events—or to apply—visit www.labs4.ca. For press inquiries:
Contact: Kevin Olszewski, Communications Officer
(204) 391-6168
kolszewski@rrc.ca
About Labs4
Labs4 is a national commercialization engine that empowers Canadian researcher-entrepreneurs. Delivered through 11 hubs, it fast-tracks applied research from lab to market. Backed by NSERC, Mitacs, and 38 academic institutions, Labs4 is focused on rapid, inclusive, and real-world innovation.
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