Innovation UBC has introduced its 2026 cohort of Venture Development Specialists, pairing five UBC Sauder graduate students with eight early-stage companies working to bring university research to market. The specialists are Lisa Popplewell, Drew Blackmun, Nkemdilim Okwuchi, Mitchell Liebrecht, and Darryl Mah. Over a series of two-month consulting projects, the students are supporting CereCura Nanotherapeutics, […]
Innovation UBC
UBC’s Express Licence Clears a Faster Path from Lab to Startup
Turning university research into a company is rarely as simple as finding a promising technology and assembling a founding team. Before a UBC researcher can commercialize an invention developed at the university, the new company needs the rights to use that intellectual property. Negotiating those rights can take months, cost thousands of dollars, and create […]
Innovation UBC Launches Science Entertainment Podcast Beaker Banter
Innovation UBC is taking science out of the lab and into the realm of entertainment with the launch of Beaker Banter, a new podcast hosted by Dr. Marissa Lithopoulos. The podcast is designed to spotlight innovators who are changing the world for the better while helping listeners get to know the people and stories behind […]
Innovation UBC Taps Ian Bell To Build Out Research Partnerships
Innovation UBC has appointed Ian Bell as Associate Director, Innovation Partnerships, adding more than 25 years of international experience in technology transfer, research commercialization, partnership development, and intellectual property strategy to the university’s innovation team. Bell officially stepped into the role on June 1 and will focus on strengthening how UBC connects its research strengths […]
UBC’s HATCH Graduates Six High-Impact Startups
UBC’s HATCH Venture Builder is celebrating the graduation of six research-based startups, highlighting the depth and diversity of venture creation emerging from the university’s innovation ecosystem. The accelerator, which supports established UBC research-based spin-off companies, celebrated the graduating ventures on May 26. Over up to 18 months, HATCH teams receive mentorship from Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, access to […]
University Startups Take Climate Stage at Web Summit Vancouver
Six university-linked startups took the stage at Web Summit Vancouver today as the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University teamed up to showcase the next generation of climate and agritech ventures. Held at the Climate Innovation Zone, the University Power Pitches featured five-minute presentations from emerging companies working on problems ranging from plastic […]
VEF Showcases Women in Tech Founders Ahead of Web Summit
Vancouver’s startup ecosystem will get an early look at emerging women-led ventures next week as the Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum (VEF) hosts its Road to Web Summit Vancouver Women in Tech & Impact Tech Pitch Showcase. Set for April 21 at UBC Robson Square, the evening event brings together founders from the 2026 R2WSV Women in […]
UBC Ventures Take Stage at Investor Showcase
Twelve ventures founded by University of British Columbia researchers and students will pitch to investors next month as part of Innovation UBC’s annual Investor Showcase. Set for April 14 at UBC Robson Square, the event highlights a new cohort of early-stage companies emerging from one of Canada’s leading research institutions, spanning sectors including health, artificial […]
Innovation UBC Prepares 17 Ventures for Investor Showcase at Robson Square
Innovation UBC is set to host its annual Investor Showcase on Tuesday, May 13, highlighting 17 emerging companies at the UBC Robson Square. This year’s event will spotlight a diverse range of ventures, industry sectors, and founders, all aiming to deliver solutions with real-world impact. Among the presenters are three alumni ventures — Incisive Ventures, […]