Do you have an idea ready to launch?
Take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey with Innovation UBC’s 1-day Venture Founder Foundations Workshop in the Okanagan December 2 built for UBC students, staff, and faculty who are ready to explore entrepreneurship and turn research discoveries and ideas into ventures.
Dive into venture building
Through hands-on workshops and guided activities, you’ll gain practical exposure to early-stage venture building and develop essential startup skills. The topics will provide a practical starting point for anyone looking to explore how discoveries, technologies, or creative ideas can move beyond the lab or classroom. You’ll gain an understanding of the early steps in the commercialization journey.
Whether you’re new to commercialization or simply want to learn what support exists, this “Foundations” session will help you:
- Understand how commercialization fits within the research and innovation landscape
- Explore next steps to position your research or venture idea for success
The day will wrap up with a fireside panel featuring founders and innovators from the UBC community, an opportunity to connect, ask questions, and expand your network within the Innovation UBC ecosystem.
Program Schedule
Join us on December 2 for an interactive day packed with tactical takeaways to help launch your venture-building journey! Hear from founders and innovators through three panel and Q&A-style sessions throughout the day designed to leave you with lasting advice and meaningful connections.
Time | Topic | Activity |
| 9:00 AM | Welcome & Networking | Get to know your peers through conversation prompts and quick rounds of introductions. |
| 9:15 AM | Program Kickoff | Define our starting point and begin crafting an intro business model with examples. We will narrow in on customer segmentation and value proposition as it relates to your business idea. |
| 10:00 AM | Activity: | Craft your statements and share with your peers. |
| 11:15 AM | Who to talk to: | Mapping your ecosystem and problem space. |
| 12:10 PM | Activity: Mock Interviews
| Practice discovery interviews and debrief the exercise. |
12:50 PM | Guest Talk and Q&A | From Lab to Market, Commercializing Impact with Dr. Deanna Gibson, Co-Founder, Melius MicroBiomics with a 10 min Q&A. |
| 1:10 PM | Lunch | Enjoy lunch with peers, Innovation UBC team and mentors in the community. |
| 2:10 PM | Wrap-up Workshop | Closing notes and next step opportunities. |
3:00 PM | Hear from VF alumni: Panel discussion and Q&A | Insights from Founders and Mentors: Hear from Venture Founder Alumni: Vanessa Lo, Co-Founder & Executive Director, VanTech Med; Shayan Narani, Founder & CEO, Cement Dioxide; and Rick Cooper, Serial Entrepreneur, Investor & Venture Founder Mentor. |
4:00 PM | Fireside Chat | The Good, The Bad & The Unfiltered, with Camille Saltman, entrepreneur and General Partner, Okanagan Women Angel Funds and Jessica Bosman, Co-Founder, DOUBL |
| 5:00 PM | Networking | |
| 5:30 PM | SESSION END |
Featured Guests and Speakers
Fireside Chat
We look forward to welcoming Camille Saltman in conversation with Jessica Bosman for our end-of-day Fireside Chat The Good, The Bad & The Ugly! This session is open to our wider Okanagan community and mentor network. Register to attend the Fireside Chat
