U of T Startup Travel Award

• In North America – up to $1,000  
• Outside North America – up to $2,000 

• At least one founder must be a current, full-time U of T student, post doc or recent alum from a full-time program (i.e. graduated no earlier than June 2024).  

• Open to all faculties and divisions across U of T’s three campuses. 

• Active engagement with the U of T innovation ecosystem is strongly encouraged. 
• Referred or nominated by a U of T staff or faculty member. 

• Primary applicant must complete U of T’s IP Education Level 1 course or a Level 2 Topic  

To be considered, ventures must demonstrate: 

• A strategy to pursue commercialization and growth.  

• A clearly defined business opportunity related to the proposed travel, and  

• Be incorporated in Canada, or in the process of incorporation. 

Eligible Travel Opportunities:  

• Customer acquisition  

• Market validation  

• Partnership development  

• Investor outreach  

• Business development  

• Commercialization  

• Participation in a recognized competition, conference, trade show, exhibition, or industry event 

• Applications are to be submitted per venture, not per individual.  

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  

• Deadline to submit is minimum three months before the travel date, and applications submitted less than one month before travel will not be considered. 

• After the trip, recipients will submit a one-page report (template provided).  

• Venture will be reimbursed for the pre-determined lump sum amount after the event, once proof of travel and report have been submitted. 

• Maximum two successful awards per venture, every 12 months.