ideaBUILD is a 10-month rigorous program that helps founders take their physical product idea from design to prototype and prepare for manufacturing and scale.
ideaBUILD includes workshops and one-on-one sessions to advance hardware companies in Atlantic Canada. Sessions are focused on designing/building hardware in addition to business fundamental sessions for running a startup.
In addition, participating startups will have the opportunity to apply for up to $10,000 in funding to purchase materials and services needed to build their prototype.
Diverse industries and teams
We are proud to support founders pioneering new solutions that are transforming the planet in Ag Tech, Med Tech, Clean Tech and Ocean Tech.
We welcome applications from founders of all deep tech ventures, whether or not they have a connection to Dalhousie University.
HUB Alumni have backgrounds in the full range of engineering disciplines, as well as medicine, neuroscience, environmental science and more.
Ideal candidates
- Between 1-4 founding team members
- Seeking more industry and faculty advisors to refine their product
- Expanding their team and positioning for funding
- Research focused and need a prototype for proof of concept
About our graduates
- Between 1-4 employees
- Working on scaling their operational prototype for commercialization
- Expanding their team and positioning for funding
ideaBUILD 2022-2023 participants
BioLabMate
XO Technology
Ocean Sights Technology
ideaBUILD overview
CPO Track: Hands-on product development sessions to get you through rapid prototyping, build, iterating and testing. New sessions on design for manufacturing and supply chain. Access to faculty and industry experts.
New CTO Track: support for software and data/analytics considerations for deep tech product.
Team Track: MIT facilitated sessions on Disciplined Entrepreneurship, to ensure entire founding team has consistent understanding of venture building fundamentals.
HUB System: Monthly accountability meetings, access to Faculty and Industry, Entrepreneurs in Residence, and support for material budgeting and sourcing processes. Team development workshops and coaching.
Full time, 10 month term, full access
- Access to hot desks (workspace) in the HUB
- Entrepreneurial workshops offered by MIT and technical workshops offered by industry experts and Faculty
- Scheduled support for use of equipment in the Emera ideaHUB and IDEA Building facilities, with engineering expertise on-site
- Venture Manager, Office Coordinator and Academic Director supporting you on achieving your Action Plan
- $10,000 per company to purchase materials to build operational prototype
- Access to Industry and Engineers in Residence
August 4 – September 13, 2022: Applications open
October 5, 2022: Finalists contacted for interviews
October 10-20, 2022: Interviews
October 21, 2022: Acceptance confirmed
October 26, 2022: ideaBUILD Kickoff
Applications
Please apply to the ideaBUILD program below. Note: this is not a closed application process – we are here to help. Contact ideahubprograms@dal.ca if you have any questions.
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