Product-market fit isn't usually breakfast-table conversation. But it was the topic that drew students, founders and innovators together to kick off the third-annual Dal Innovation Week (Oct. 5-9).
This Fuel-Up Breakfast with Propel, Atlantic Canada's leading virtual accelerator for startup founders, was just one of 18 events that brought together more than 1,500 students, researchers and industry partners to explore how new ideas can address challenges and create opportunities that fuel economic growth.
“Dal Innovation Week celebrates the changemakers," said Dr. Graham Gagnon, vice-president research and innovation at Dalhousie. "Those who are taking big swings to build prosperity for Nova Scotia and beyond”
The week has become Atlantic Canada's largest showcase of student-led entrepreneurship. Backed by six sponsors and 40 participating partners, Dal Innovation Week reflects the growing strength of Dalhousie's innovation ecosystem.
"When students, researchers, founders and industry leaders come together, new partnerships form, ideas are tested, and innovation moves faster," added Gagnon.
Propel breakfast. (Kevin Liu photo)
Hands-on innovation
From startup pitches and expert-led workshops to an entrepreneurs' evening, participants gathered to share ideas, build connections, and accelerate innovation across sectors.
The week brought together accelerators, innovation sandboxes, Faculties, and research leaders to help participants tackle real-world challenges through experiences such as:
Mission Accepted Space Hackathon - Students worked alongside mentors from the Canadian Space Agency, MDA Space, Maritime Launch Services, and ShiftKey Labs to develop solutions using space, satellite, and Earth-observation data.
Human-Centred Design Workshop - Participants explored human-centred design principles for developing new products through a workshop led by Glen Hougan and the Emera ideaHUB team.
Innovation Rx: From Bench to Bedside - A fireside chat on commercializing health-care research brought together leaders from NovaResp and the Nova Scotia Health Authority in a session presented by the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, Life Sciences Nova Scotia, and the Pulse Biomed Hub.
These examples highlight just a few of the hands-on learning, networking, and innovation opportunities offered during Dal Innovation Week.
Open Street offered participants a glimpse into innovations being created across campus. (Kevin Liu photo)
Showcasing emerging ventures
A highlight of the week was Dal Demo Day, where early-stage entrepreneurs showcased their ventures before an audience of nearly 200 investors, founders, ecosystem leaders, and fellow students. The event serves as a launchpad for emerging ventures tackling challenges in sustainability, health care and wellness, applied AI, and ocean technology.
“Demo Day gave me the confidence to continue building Saidee, an AI receptionist for tradespeople, knowing there’s a supportive community behind my idea ready to open doors for me,” said Gabriel Shimoon, a fourth-year Computer Science student, Campus2Market Launch participant, and Demo Day finalist.
Teams show off their innovations at Demo Day. (Daniel Jardine photo)
Demo Day award recipients
- John Wang received the Dalhousie Emera ideaHUB People's Choice Award for XO Technology, which is developing wearable technology that supports care for older adults.
- Yuhan Fu earned the AI2Market Launch Winning Pitch for CurioSeed, an AI-powered literacy tool for children.
- Chidozie Michael Nzekwe earned the Campus2Market Launch Winning Pitch for Prescription Tenders, a prescription-delivery and pharmaceutical inventory-sharing platform.
- Yiran Xie earned the Lab2Market Launch Winning Pitch for AllerEase, a personalized grocery shopping navigation app or people with food allergies.
L-R: Yuhan Fu and assistant, far left, Chidozie Michael Nzekwe, and Yiran Xie. (Daniel Jardine photo)
Looking ahead
Dal Innovation Week was made possible through the support of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Mitacs, Morrison Park Advisors, NorthGuide, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, and Springboard Atlantic, along with more than 40 organizations from across Atlantic Canada.
Dal Innovation Week may be over, but its impact is just beginning.
