Advancing Biomanufacturing Innovations with Strategic Funding Support
Empowering Trainee Entrepreneurs to Drive Biomanufacturing Innovation in Human Health
What is EQUIP?
The EQUIP pillar of BioHubNet is dedicated to providing commercialization support to help trainees advance their biomanufacturing innovations toward market readiness. Our program offers tiered funding and specialized resources designed to assist trainee-entrepreneurs at various stages of development, from concept validation to scale-up and market entry.
EQUIP Mandate
BioHubNet is committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the life sciences and biomanufacturing sectors. Through the EQUIP programs, BioHubNet’s commercialization support strategy aims to empower trainee-entrepreneurs by providing access to critical funding and resources that will advance their innovations toward market readiness.
EQUIP funding supports commercialization-enabling activities at different stages of development. This includes specialized consulting and services essential for translating innovations and achieving key milestones. These services are sourced from experts whose skills align with the technical and commercial needs of each innovation.
This mandate ensures that BioHubNet-supported innovations receive the tailored expertise necessary to achieve successful commercialization outcomes, strengthening Canada’s biomanufacturing ecosystem and supporting early-stage companies in reaching key inflection points.
Why EQUIP?
EQUIP connects trainees with industry experts and provides the funding support essential for accelerating commercialization. Our goal is to help innovations succeed in the industry, strengthening Canada’s biomanufacturing ecosystem and empowering trainee-entrepreneurs to achieve their commercialization goals.
Tiered Funding Approach
EQUIP offers two levels of funding support dedicated to advancing innovations that improve human health outcomes:
VentureConnect Grant and VentureLift Grant, with a total funding limit of $30,000 per applicant.
Up to $5,000 per Project
The VentureConnect Grant is designed for trainee-entrepreneurs looking to build connections and expand their network. This support area includes funding for activities such as attending industry / investor conferences, engaging with venture capitalists (VCs), and participating in workshops or pitch competitions.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicants must be STEM professionals who are either a graduate student (Master’s or PhD), or a postdoctoral fellow. Research associates will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Availability: Funding is available on a monthly basis, providing flexibility for trainees to access support when needed.
Funding announcements will be made at the end of each month.
Eligible Institutions: Check out the Eligible Institutions section.
April Application Deadline: 12PM on April 28, 2025
VentureLift Grant Timeline - Round 1
Up to $25,000 per Project
The VentureLift Grant is for trainee-entrepreneurs at various stages of commercialization, aimed at helping them overcome critical development milestones and accelerate their progress toward market readiness. This includes:
- Business and Strategy Development
- Product Development and Technical Support
- Regulatory and Compliance Support
- Operational Planning and Sustainability
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicants must be STEM professionals who are either a graduate student (Master’s or PhD), or a postdoctoral fellow. Research associates will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- The innovation must be based in Canada, with intellectual property owned or licensed by a Canadian entity. If the company is not incorporated, the applicant must be affiliated with a Canadian academic institution.
- The applicant’s early-stage company has participated in an accelerator/incubator program.
- The company is at the pre-seed/seed stage with at least a provisional patent, novel concept, initial prototype, and has a commercialization roadmap
Eligible Institutions: Check out the Eligible Institutions section.
Availability: Funding is available on a quarterly basis, with specific deadlines for application submissions.
List of Eligible Institutions
EQUIP Funding opportunities are available to trainee-entrepreneurs from the following institutions, which are current BioHubNet partner institutions. We plan to expand eligibility to additional institutions in the future.
- Hospital for Sick Children
- Queen’s University
- Seneca Polytechnic
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- Unity Health Toronto
- University Health Network
- University of Guelph
- University of Toronto
- University of Waterloo
- University of Windsor
- Western University
- York University
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible for EQUIP funding?
BioHubNet EQUIP funding supports biomanufacturing projects that drive advancements in human health. While biomanufacturing has broad applications, only projects with a direct and measurable impact on human health will be considered for funding.
Eligible projects must demonstrate clear applications in fields such as therapeutics, diagnostics, vaccines, or related areas. Ventures developing therapeutics are also eligible, provided they are beyond the discovery phase and involve a biomanufacturing component.
If your project meets these criteria, we encourage you to review the specific eligibility requirements for the VentureLift or VentureConnect grants, depending on the funding stream you are applying for.
Does the lead applicant need to be the CEO?
No, but the applicant should be actively involved in an early-stage company and ideally hold a leadership role.
What accelerators/incubators meet the eligibility criteria?
Companies that have completed a recognized accelerator or incubator program are eligible for the VentureLift grant. There is no predefined list, but applicants must specify the program they participated in on the pre-screening form.
What expenses are covered by VentureLift funding?
EQUIP funding supports specialized consulting and R&D services, technical validation, scale-up efforts, regulatory pathway development, and other commercialization-related activities. It does not cover general operational expenses, company salaries, or routine business costs. While companies may hire external experts for project-related work, EQUIP funds cannot be used to pay company employees. All proposed service providers must align with project needs and will be reviewed as part of the application process.
What expenses are eligible for VentureConnect funding?
Eligible expenses include transportation, accommodation, and conference/workshop/pitch registration fees. Please note that meals are not covered.
Can I apply if I have already received funding from another program?
Yes, applicants may receive EQUIP funding even if they have secured funding from other sources, provided there is no duplication of expenses.
Is matching funding required?
Matching funding is not a requirement for EQUIP funding; however, it is encouraged. Applicants who can secure matching funds or in-kind contributions may strengthen their application by demonstrating additional commitment and resource leverage.
What is the expected timeline for funded projects?
Proposed work should be initiated within the first month of funding approval and completed within six months.