Lab2Market brings together 52 national partners to provide groundbreaking skills training programs for students and researchers to foster innovation and commercial success.
Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) is the exclusive art and design partner among a network of 52 Canadian institutions for Lab2Market (L2M), Canada’s national network for innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurship training.
ECU expands the Pacific Hub of the program co-led by Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) to offer funding, mentorship and training to students and researchers living in B.C. and the Yukon.
“This kind of multi-institutional collaboration is where ECU makes such an important impact. Our unique specialization allows us to connect this important training deeply into the creative communities we serve while also bringing our insights into the broader context of L2M,” says Justin Langlois, Associate Vice-President of Research and Dean of Graduate Studies. “The mentorship and training we will be providing is going to be a difference maker for creative researchers looking to bring their work into entrepreneurial settings.”
L2M envisions Canada as a global leader in transforming academic research into innovative solutions driving social impact and economic growth. L2M empowers students, researchers and highly qualified personnel through specialized training bridging the gap between research and real-world applications.
In June 2026, ECU will deliver the Validate Foundations course through the Shumka Centre for Creative Entrepreneurship. The three-day intensive training program provides a comprehensive understanding of the processes and best practices for research commercialization. Upon completion, researchers will have the skills to commercialize their research, strategically position their projects and capitalize on opportunities throughout their ecosystem.
As the only L2M partner solely dedicated to art + design education, ECU’s Validate Foundations programming over the summer will provide essential knowledge and tools for creative practitioners to bring their ideas to market.
“For anyone coming from a non-business background, the Lab2Market Validate Foundations program is an accessible program to learn practical frameworks and tools to take your product or service idea to the next level,” says designer, researcher and ECU alum + faculty member Nadia Beyzaei, who participated in the program in 2025.
In 2026, L2M was awarded more than $32 million over the next five years from the Government of Canada through grants administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). This funding also leverages the Business Strategy Internship program from Mitacs.
In addition to delivering Validate Foundations in 2026, ECU will deliver L2M’s Validate program in 2027. The Validate program gives researchers the opportunity to critically test and evaluate their ideas and unlock the business potential of their research.
“This partnership creates important new pathways for ECU students, faculty and researchers to bring creative research into broader innovation ecosystems,” says Cemre Demiralp, Interim Associate Director, Creative Entrepreneurship, Innovation + External Engagement at ECU.
“It reflects what we believe at the Shumka Centre: artists and designers need access to the community, knowledge and resources that help move ideas into action. Working in collaboration with UBC, SFU, the University of Victoria and other Pacific Hub members strengthens that ecosystem in British Columbia and helps ensure creative practitioners are part of shaping its future.”
ECU students, staff and faculty can now visit the application portal through May 11, 2026, to apply for participation in the 2026 L2M Validate Foundations program.
More about Research at ECU
As one of the most research-intensive art and design universities in Canada, ECU connects art, media, and design practices with some of the most pressing questions of our time. At ECU, we believe our research can help to transform the world, build healthier and more vibrant futures, and cultivate cultural resilience throughout our local and global communities and industry partners.
Visit our website to learn more.
More About Shumka Centre for Creative Entrepreneurship
Shumka Centre is a place where creative practitioners can find the community, knowledge, and resources they need to launch, fund, and organize projects across the spectrum of contemporary art and design activities – products, projects, curatorial initiatives, platforms, companies, organizations, and more. By offering tactical support tailored to the unique needs of artists and designers, the Shumka Centre strives to foster systemic change and amplify creative potential.
Visit their website to learn more.
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