Innovation + Entrepreneurship
Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars possess a valuable combination of skills: you are talented, creative, analytical, solution-oriented and innovative. Yet many high-level scholars rarely rank themselves high in core business skills.
Having an entrepreneurial mindset goes far beyond launching a startup or selling a product. It’s about leveraging innovation and creativity to shape policy, develop new processes and build best practices — transferable skills that graduate and postdoctoral programs naturally foster.
Explore on- and off- campus opportunities that connect your high-value skills with the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem — an ecosystem that needs your expertise.
Graduate Research Commercialization Challenge
Applications close Nov. 3, 2026
Are you a University of Alberta MSc or PhD student interested in exploring the commercialization potential of your research?
The Graduate Research Commercialization Challenge, a pilot initiative from Edmonton Unlimited and the University of Alberta Graduate Students’ Association (GSA), helps graduate students explore how their research could become a product, service, technology, process or venture. Applicants will have access to a pitch clinic, while selected finalists will present at the Final Showcase on Nov. 23, 2026.
Cash prizes: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place, along with one-on-one coaching hours.
Explore Entrepreneurship Beyond the Lab and Classroom
The Explorer Program is an introductory, workshop-based series hosted by the Engineering Incubator. Designed for students, researchers and faculty across all disciplines, this program demonstrates how technology-driven ideas transition from concept to viable products.
Explorer Session 3: Your patent is not your business model (1.5 hours PD credit)
Next session: Oct. 20, 2026 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. MDT | 2-040 Engineering Teaching and Learning Complex (ETLC), North Campus
This session is built specifically for deeptech founders navigating long R&D cycles, IP protection, technology readiness levels, and the notorious "valley of death" between lab breakthrough and commercial product. Werner Biegler has lived this firsthand; his own startup pulled IP out of the U of A's tech transfer office. We'll talk candidly about what commercialization actually requires beyond the technology itself, and how to spot the traps that stall deeptech ventures before they ever reach a customer.
Explorer Session 4: Sometimes marketing works. Now what? (1.5 hours PD credit)
Next session: Oct. 27, 2026 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. MDT | 2-040 Engineering Teaching and Learning Complex (ETLC), North Campus
Expect a real look at sales conversations that don't feel scripted, how to handle objections without getting defensive, how to stop discounting out of fear, and closing techniques that don't make you feel like a used car salesman.
Explorer Session 5: How to grow the team (1.5 hours PD credit)
Next session: Nov. 3, 2026 | 6 - 7:30 p.m. MDT | 2-040 Engineering Teaching and Learning Complex (ETLC), North Campus
This last explorer session of the fall semester covers the real decisions behind that transition: first hires versus interns versus contractors, how to find people who actually believe in the mission rather than just filling a role, and how to delegate without losing your grip on the vision you started with.
Impact for Innovation Workshop Series
Master the essential tools of modern problem-solving with the Impact for Innovation workshops — 3 intensive, individual skill-building experiences designed to elevate your professional toolkit. Through interactive, expert-led training, you’ll develop hands-on expertise in practical innovation frameworks, rapid prototyping and strategic design thinking. Whether you're aiming to sharpen your creative leadership, pitch high-value solutions or accelerate your career, these focused workshops give you the confidence, actionable skills and competitive edge needed to drive real impact in any industry.
Session 1: Problem framing & ideation (1.5 hours PD credit)
Next session: Nov. 3 | 3 - 4:30 p.m. MDT | 1-31, Triffo Hall, North Campus
Gain practical skills in unpacking systemic issues, root-cause analysis, and reframing research problems beyond academic contexts into actionable, real-world solutions.
Session 2: Proving the value: Designing adoption-ready solutions (1.5 hours PD credit)
Next session: Nov. 17 | 3 - 4:30 p.m. MDT | 1-31, Triffo Hall, North Campus
Learn how to map multi-stakeholder needs, define non-monetary metrics, and articulate clear social value propositions tailored for community, government, and non-profit adoption.
Session 3: Social impact Lean Canvas: Designing sustainable pathways (1.5 hours PD credit)
Next session: Nov. 24 | 3 - 4:30 p.m. MDT | 1-31, Triffo Hall, North Campus
Master the skill of adapting Lean Canvas models to design sustainable, adoption-ready implementation pathways for non-commercial initiatives.
Entrepreneurship Opportunities
On-Campus
Many campus organizations offer training and mentoring for aspiring entrepreneurs at various stages of development.
- Entrepreneurship Centre: eHub
- Faculty of Engineering: Innovator + Explorer Program
- ThresholdImpact: Venture Mentoring Service
- Research + Innovation: Commercialize Your Research
- The 2SLGBTQI+ (Rainbow) Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub: REKH Conference
Off-Campus
Learn more about some of the local and national organizations that offer support for new entrepreneurs and innovators.
Other Resources
More resources to help take your ideas and research to the next level.