Tailored non-dilutive funding for market-ready momentum.
The EQUIP pillar of BioHubNet provides commercialization support to help trainees advance biomanufacturing innovations toward market readiness.
EQUIP mandate
BioHubNet’s commercialization support strategy empowers trainee entrepreneurs with access to critical funding and resources that advance innovations toward market readiness.
EQUIP funding supports commercialization-enabling activities at different stages of development. Specialized consulting and services are sourced from experts whose skills align with the technical and commercial needs of each innovation.
This tailored expertise helps BioHubNet-supported innovations reach successful commercialization outcomes, strengthen Canada’s biomanufacturing ecosystem, and support early-stage companies in reaching key inflection points.
Expert servicesSpecialized consulting and R&D support.
MilestonesTechnical validation, scale-up, and planning.
Market readinessCommercial and regulatory pathway support.
Why EQUIP?
Advancing innovation through funding, mentorship, and strategic support
EQUIP is a commercialization support program that empowers emerging innovators in biomanufacturing and the life sciences to transform research discoveries into real-world solutions.
What EQUIP Offers
Support that moves innovations forward
Resources designed to help trainee entrepreneurs build practical momentum from early validation to market readiness.
Commercialization Funding
Access funding to support activities that advance your innovation toward commercialization, including product development, market validation, technical consulting, regulatory planning, and business development.
Applicants seeking foundational entrepreneurship training can participate in a fully funded bootcamp designed to build the skills needed to commercialize research. Through hands-on workshops, expert instruction and practical exercises, participants gain knowledge in customer discovery, business model development, intellectual property, market validation and pitching to investors.
Who Should Apply?
Built for emerging trainee entrepreneurs
BioHubNet EQUIP is designed for trainee entrepreneurs who are transforming cutting-edge research into real-world health and life sciences solutions.
Are a graduate student, postdoctoral researcher, research associate or early-career investigator.
Are a founder or play a leadership role in an early-stage venture, such as leading product development, business development or other commercial operations.
Are developing an innovation in biomanufacturing or life sciences and can demonstrate a clear human health application or potential impact.
Eligibility
Choose the right route for your venture stage.
EQUIP offers VentureConnect and VentureLift, each with program-specific eligibility requirements for trainee entrepreneurs.
VentureConnect
Connection-building support.
For trainee entrepreneurs building networks through industry or investor conferences, pitch competitions, workshops and commercialization meetings.
VentureLift
Milestone-driven support.
For early-stage ventures moving through technical validation, scale-up planning, regulatory pathway work and market readiness milestones.
VentureConnect eligibility
Applicant criteria.
01
Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, or research associates from eligible BioHubNet partner institutions.
02
Research associates are considered on a case-by-case basis.
03
Applicants should be founders or leaders in an early-stage venture focused on biomanufacturing or life sciences with human health application or impact.
04
Supported activities should build relevant commercialization connections, training, customer discovery, or investor engagement.
VentureLift eligibility
Venture criteria.
01
The venture must focus on biomanufacturing or life sciences and demonstrate clear human health application or impact.
02
VentureLift applicants must have Canadian intellectual property ownership or licensing, or affiliation with a Canadian academic institution if not incorporated.
03
VentureLift applicants must have participated in a recognized incubator, accelerator, or entrepreneurship program.
04
Eligible VentureLift companies are pre-seed or seed stage with at least a provisional patent, a novel concept, an initial prototype, and a commercialization roadmap.
05
Applicants should be founders or hold a leadership role in product development, business development, operations, or another core venture function.
Tiered funding approach
EQUIP offers two levels of funding support dedicated to advancing your innovations
Up to$5,000
VentureConnect Grant
Designed for trainee entrepreneurs looking to build connections and expand their network through industry or investor conferences, VC engagement, workshops, and pitch competitions.
Monthly funding availability
Investor meetings and pitch competitions
Entrepreneurship workshops and training
Commercialization connection-building
Eligibility criteria
Graduate students (Master’s or PhD) and postdoctoral fellows
Research associates considered case-by-case
Customer demos where the customer is non-academic, reviewed case-by-case
Entrepreneurship workshops or training with clear justification that equivalent training is not available locally
Supporting documentation
Confirmed or requested investor meetings
Invitations to pitch competitions
Scheduled meetings with relevant stakeholders
Documentation demonstrating efforts to build connections and advance commercialization
Pre-screening deadlineNoon on May 22, 2026. Closed; stay tuned for the next round.
VentureLift Round 5 timeline
VentureLift is offered quarterly
Key dates for launch, pre-screening, consultation, full application, and funding announcement.
VentureLift GrantRound 5
April 27
Round 5 launch
Noon May 22
Pre-screening form deadline
May 25-29
Pre-screening consultation
June 29
Full application deadline
Early August
Funding announcement
Round 5 is closed. Future VentureLift rounds will follow the same pre-screening, consultation, full application, and funding announcement flow.
Our impact
Recognizing innovators shaping biomanufacturing and life sciences
EQUIP recognizes outstanding trainee entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of biomanufacturing and life sciences. Recipients demonstrate the impact that bold ideas and collaboration can have across Canada’s health and innovation ecosystem.
EQUIP supports biomanufacturing projects that drive advancements in human health. Only projects with a direct and measurable impact on human health will be considered.
Eligible projects must demonstrate clear applications in fields such as therapeutics, diagnostics, vaccines, or related areas. Ventures developing therapeutics are eligible if they are beyond the discovery phase and involve a biomanufacturing component.
If your project meets these criteria, review the specific requirements for the VentureLift or VentureConnect grant you are applying for.
Does the lead applicant need to be the CEO?
No. The applicant should be actively involved in an early-stage company and ideally hold a leadership role.
What accelerators or incubators qualify?
There is no predefined list. Applicants must specify the recognized accelerator or incubator program they participated in on the pre-screening form.
What expenses are covered by VentureLift?
Funding supports specialized consulting and R&D services, technical validation, scale-up, 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. Proposed service providers must align with project needs and will be reviewed as part of the application process.
What expenses are covered by VentureConnect?
Eligible expenses include transportation, accommodation, and conference, workshop, or pitch registration fees. Meals are not covered.
Can I apply if I have other funding?
Yes. Applicants may receive EQUIP funding if there is no duplication of expenses with other funding sources.
Is matching funding required?
Matching funding is not required, but applicants with matching funds or in-kind contributions may strengthen their application.
What is the expected project timeline?
Proposed work should be initiated within the first month of funding approval and completed within six months.
What is BioHubNet’s IP policy?
BioHubNet does not participate in or provide advice on IP negotiations between postsecondary institutions and partner organizations.
Applicants to BioHubNet-funded programs are expected to familiarize themselves with relevant institutional policies and practices, including those related to IP and publication of research results.
Contact us about EQUIP.
Reach out with questions about VentureConnect, VentureLift, eligibility, or application requirements.
