To help bridge that gap, the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), powered by Baycrest, partnered with Lab2Market (L2M) to co-develop Discover Aging + Brain Health: a 10-week virtual program that introduces early-stage researchers, trainees, and innovators to entrepreneurship and commercialization. Delivered through the L2M Health Hub at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine, the inaugural cohort explored the real-world potential of their aging and brain health research.
Building commercialization skills from the ground up
Through weekly live lectures, guided pre-reading, pitch development, and small-group mentorship, participants learned how to assess the commercial possibilities of their research. The curriculum covered foundational business model concepts, including value propositions, intellectual property, revenue streams, customer needs, and market channels, and culminated in a public pitch showcase.
The program is already boasting positive outcomes, with 87% survey respondents from the program reporting increased knowledge. Of those surveyed, 95% felt the program met or exceeded their expectations, and 90% rated the course as good or excellent.
Participants left the program feeling ready to put their new knowledge into practice. Every survey respondent said they planned to use what they learned to assess commercial opportunities, with many expecting to apply the training in their future research and careers.
Creating a pathway from discovery to validation
For many participants, the program was a first step in their innovation journey, rather than a final destination. All survey respondents expressed interest in continuing along an entrepreneurial pathway, and 84% planned to seek funding for their venture ideas within the upcoming year. Two participants have already advanced into the Fall 2026 L2M Health Validate program, where they can further test the market need for their solutions and strengthen their ventures.
Looking ahead
By giving researchers the tools to think beyond the lab, Discover Aging + Brain Health is helping cultivate a new generation of market-aware innovators and creating more opportunities for high-potential Canadian ideas to move toward real-world care.
L2M, with its vast network spanning 52 academic institutions, and CABHI, with its deep sector-specific knowledge and commercialization expertise, are exploring opportunities for future collaborations. Stay tuned for updates and more programming opportunities!
