Mentors & Partners Help Shape Canada’s Next Generation of Innovation Our mentors become part of Canada’s largest applied innovation ecosystem, working alongside over 2,100 applied research professionals and 610+ mentors across 38 post-secondary institutions. Labs4 is closing the gap between Canadian research and market impact. But we don’t do it alone. We work with mentors, companies, and ecosystem leaders across the country to support researcher-entrepreneurs as they build ventures, launch technologies, and strengthen Canada’s innovation future. Whether you’re advising a founder, hosting a placement, or co-creating a challenge. Labs4 offers a direct path to national impact. Mentors Why mentorship matters Mentors are the engine behind Labs4’s hands-on, market-connected approach. By sharing your time and experience, you help researcher-entrepreneurs: Build prototypes and navigate product development Understand customer needs and validate market opportunities Avoid common pitfalls and gain confidence as leaders Prepare to scale ventures and create real-world solutions Embed sustainability and social innovation into their business models Open doors for more diverse voices and backgrounds in entrepreneurship Labs4 is outcome driven. Mentors play a direct role in accelerating early-stage innovation and translating Canadian ideas and IP into products and services for people. Who we’re looking for We welcome mentors from across Canada’s innovation ecosystem: Founders, business leaders, and entrepreneurs Industry experts in product development, IP, regulation, or sales Investors, incubator leaders, or sector connectors Subject-matter experts Thought leaders Knowledge Keepers Labs4 is committed to building a more inclusive innovation ecosystem across Canada. We welcome mentors from all fields and backgrounds and strongly encourage applications from equity-deserving groups. How to Get Involved Mentors are matched with participants in one of our core Labs4 programs: Technology Readiness Level-Up (TRL): Supports hands-on prototype development, testing, and validation in applied research labs. Market to Lab (MtL): Simulates the experience of managing a company while solving real-world commercialization barriers. Indigenous Entrepreneurship Hubs: Provides culturally grounded mentorship and wraparound support to First Nations, Métis and Inuit researcher-entrepreneurs as they develop market-ready ventures. Mentors may include entrepreneurs, Knowledge Keepers, business advisors, and ecosystem leaders connected to Indigenous innovation and economic self-determination. Most mentorship roles involve: A commitment of 1–2 hours per week for 2–4 months Primarily supporting one participant or project team with occasional guidance or subject-matter expertise for other cohort members who may uniquely benefit Providing feedback, guidance, and connections We provide onboarding, support, and clear guidelines to help you make the most of your experience. What to Expect Most Labs4 mentors commit: 1–2 hours per week for 2–4 months To supporting one researcher-entrepreneur or team To providing guidance, connections, and feedback Mentors are matched based on program, expertise, and regional availability. You’ll receive onboarding, clear expectations, and the opportunity to build lasting relationships across a national network. Mentorship opportunities exist across all Labs4 programs: Technology Readiness Level-Up (TRL) – Focused on prototype validation Market to Lab (MtL) – Focused on team leadership and business strategy Indigenous Entrepreneurship – Grounded in cultural mentorship, traditional knowledge, and economic self-determination I’m Interested in Mentoring Partners Build Canada’s applied innovation infrastructure From industry leaders to regional incubators, Labs4 partners help shape the conditions for commercialization success. We collaborate with organizations across the public and private sectors to: Host participants and placements Propose real-world business or technical challenges Judge pitch competitions or give product feedback Support Indigenous entrepreneurship in alignment with community priorities Co-create regional innovation training or sponsor Labs4 programming Why partner with Labs4? As a partner, you gain: Early access to talent and technologies emerging from Canada’s post-secondary ecosystem Input into program design that reflects the needs of your industry or region National visibility and recognition as a contributor to Canada’s innovation future Opportunities to test ideas, pilot collaborations, and shape real-world training for Canada’s next generation of entrepreneurs Labs4 is Canada’s bridge between research and market. Our partners are helping build the infrastructure needed to move innovations from the lab into lives—faster, more inclusively, and with broader benefit. I’m Interested in Partnering What Is Labs4? Labs4 is a Canada-wide initiative delivered by 38 post-secondary institutions through 11 Regional and Indigenous Entrepreneurship Hubs. We help researcher-entrepreneurs bring innovations to market through applied training, mentorship, and commercialization support. 610+ mentors 2,100+ applied research professionals 24 Technology Access Centres A single, coast-to-coast commercialization platform About Labs4
