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  ideaBUILD Program
  
  For founders bringing ideas from design to operational prototype
  
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  For ventures bridging the gap from MVP to commercialization
  
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  Lauren Ramey’s day is full of exciting challenges. Like many co-op students she is working hard, taking meetings, and focused on getting the most out of...
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Enabling early-stage deep tech and physical products startups to bring ideas to operational prototype.

ideaBUILD is a 10-month rigorous program that offers founders a $10,000 grant towards prototyping materials, a 12-week bootcamp, and deep-tech-leading industry advisers who work alongside them to validate and build their product’s first operational prototype.

Who is idaBUILD for?

Founders pioneering physical products that are transforming the planet in Ag Tech, Med Tech, Clean Tech, Ocean Tech, Circular Economy, or other industries.
Founders building physical products that are engineering-based or require engineering support in the creation or production of their physical products.
Founders in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada. Note that you don’t have to be associated with Dalhousie University. We welcome ALL community members to apply.
1st time founders and experienced founders.

HUB Alumni have backgrounds in the full range of engineering disciplines, as well as business, medicine, neuroscience, environmental science and more.

Ideal candidates

Between 1-4 founding team members
Have a well-formulated product idea to build an operational prototype
Ready to dedicate time towards achieving operational prototype stage
Have completed an initial customer discovery and/or market validation program or independent effort
Seeking more engineering support to refine their idea or prototype

ideaBUILD program overview

Note that bootcamp sessions for the first 12-weeks are hybrid and offered typically Fridays, 10am – 12pm.

Included in the ideaBUILD Program

10-month term:

$10,000 per company to purchase materials to build operational prototype
12-week bootcamp with a 2 hour weekly session on Fridays
Venture Manager, Engineering Lead and Academic Director supporting you on achieving your Action Plan
Engineering Feasibility Report
8 hours of Engineering support by a partner engineering firm that best suits your prototyping needs
2 Prototype Days to get feedback on your product development by ideaHUB’s team, partner engineers, and Venture Coaches
Access to hot desks (workspace) in the HUB
Mechanical, Electrical and Additive Manufacturing Labs in the Emera ideaHUB with engineering expertise on-site