Non-Dilutive Funding with Mitacs, OCI & NRC-IRAP

Join representatives from Mitacs, OCI (Ontario Centre of Innovation) and NRC-IRAP (National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program) as they discuss each of their respective non-dilutive funding programs available to Canadian startups. Learn how to take advantage of their funding and business development supports to finance the R&D needed to continue growing and scaling your venture.

In this webinar, we’ll highlight:

  • The Mitacs Accelerate, Elevate and Business Strategy Internship (BSI) programs
  • The OCI Collaborate to Commercialize (C2C) Program
  • The IRAP program

* Please note this webinar series is open to members of the University of Toronto, University of Toronto Entrepreneurship (UTE), and IDEA Mississauga communities only.


About Mitacs

Mitacs is a national, not-for-profit that supports collaborative research and innovation projects between post-secondary institutions and non-academic organizations. Modupe will provide an overview of the key programs Mitacs has to support R&D, and how this can be beneficial to startups, especially those spinning out of universities.

About OCI

OCI brings industry, academic, and government partners together to invest in collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialization opportunities that generate the highest return on innovation for Ontarians.

The Collaborate to Commercialize (C2C)program supports SME-led collaborations with academic institutions that advance life sciences and human health technologies from concept to commercialization. For life science companies, OCI focuses on projects that have the potential to improve patient outcomes, enhance healthcare delivery, and create economic value within Ontario. The C2C program supports efforts that have the potential to commercialize research results within 3-5 years post project.

About NRC-IRAP

The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is Canada’s leading innovation assistance program for small and medium-sized businesses.

If you operate an innovative small or medium-sized business in Canada, NRC can help you build your innovation capacity and take your ideas to market. NRC does this through financial assistance, advisory services and connections to the best business and R&D expertise in Canada.

Meet the Speakers

Modupe is an Advisor of Business Development at Mitacs, who supports the UTM portfolio. She has an extensive background in neuroscience, and before joining the Mitacs team, completed her MSc at UofT’s Pharmacology & Toxicology department. Throughout her time as a graduate student and during her tenure at Mitacs, she has leveraged her ability to make connections between academics and industry contacts to provide trainees meaningful, project experience to make the transition into an industry career.

Feiran Zhou is the Business Development and Commercialization Manager with the Ontario Centre of Innovation. She has over 10 years of experience in the Ontario Innovation ecosystem, supported companies across various sectors on fundraising, commercialization, industry/academic collaborations, and emerging technologies adoption. Feiran is also on the selection committee with Angel Investor Networks to identify and assess potential technology startups for investment opportunities. She is passionate about entrepreneurship, especially empowering female entrepreneurs and committed to further advocate and foster diversity in the innovation community.

Jenn is an Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) with the Industrial Research Assistance Program at the National Research Council of Canada. IRAP is Canada’s premier innovation assistant program for small and medium sizes enterprises (SMEs). Jenn has experience in materials R&D, HR, risk management, IP, business strategy development and commercializing innovative products and services. She holds over 120 US patents. Prior to joining IRAP, Jenn spent 20 years in the private sector.

More Events