When I had started the 2023-2024 year for the Brock LINC, I could not have predicted what was to come. We had planned for it to be the year to “find our groove” with our entrepreneurship programs and supports, but it turned out to be so much more than that. It’s the year where we completely redefined what we do, and where we expanded our team, services and supports. It was truly a transformative year.
The big event that spearheaded this transformation was a strategic realignment within the Research Enterprise at Brock University. The commercialization and partnerships unit were transferred from the Office of Research Services and merged with entrepreneurship in the Brock LINC. This shift has expanded the Brock LINC’s mandate and streamlines the access to innovation supports and services at the University for researchers, students, and industry partners. By bringing together research commercialization, industry-research partnerships, and entrepreneurship, the Brock LINC is better positioned to help breakthrough ideas developed at Brock to break into the market.
The integration of commercialization and partnerships in the Brock LINC introduced new events and workshops for researchers, like the Idea to Impact Conference. We were also better positioned to apply for and receive approximately $300,000 in funding from Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) to help build the University’s capacity for commercialization. We joined the Greenhouse Technology Network, which supported over $150,000 in industry-research partnership projects.
The entrepreneurship portfolio continued to grow, most notably with a $75,000 donation from the John Dobson Foundation, which will support the development of Blueprint, a prototyping program for entrepreneurs. This funding rounds out the core entrepreneurship programs at Brock that helps get entrepreneurs from idea to launch.
This year also marked the launch of the Brock Student Freelance Directory, pairing student freelance talent with small projects. In addition, we developed Foundations in Social Innovation Skills, a pilot social innovation program with Dr. Wesley Helms, Associate Professor of Strategic Management at the Goodman School of Business.
The entrepreneurial experience on campus continued to get better and better, with more entrepreneurs receiving early-stage funding through the Laura Sabia Entrepreneurial Award, the
Entrepreneurship Co-op Awards supported by PenFinancial Credit Union and Venture Niagara, and the Navigate Pitch Awards from our ideation-stage program. We also completed construction on an enclosed co-working space for entrepreneurs participating in our cohort programs.
We continued to refine, test and iterate our services and supports for the Brock community. Our Creativity Workshops and Innovation Socials took a hiatus after the Fall term due to declining attendance numbers and staffing shortages.
In our innovation facility, the Rankin Family Pavilion, the Digital Collaboratory was transitioned to the Research Impact Hub. The Office of Research Services has developed this as a dedicated learning and collaboration space for researchers on campus, with beautiful artifacts that celebrate the research excellence at Brock.
Our plan for the upcoming year is to continue leading with the principle that has guided us since the beginning: how to make innovation accessible and inclusive. It is daunting to commercialize research, start an industry partnership, or start a business on your own. Much of the information available can intimidate and exclude individuals without prior knowledge or experience. We aim to simplify the complexity for innovators and entrepreneurs to make information and resources accessible to all. We actively foster a community of innovators and entrepreneurs who support one another.
We welcome innovators of all stripes, whether you are a faculty member, researcher, student, alum, industry partner, or community member. We are here to guide and empower you as you move your ideas into market, and to support the social, economic or environmental impact of your innovations.
If you are thinking of taking the leap this year, please reach out. We are looking forward to starting the conversation.
The Brock LINC is a department in the Research Enterprise that provides innovation supports for the Brock and Niagara communities. This includes research commercialization, industry partnerships, and entrepreneurship, with a focus on helping Brock ideas and technologies get to market.
Research Commercialization:
Help researchers to commercialize and license their work while protecting their interests and priorities. The team supports Intellectual Property (IP) evaluation, IP protection, market assessments, licensing technology, and more.
15
Research-Industry Partnerships:
Match interested researchers and industry partners; identify funding opportunities to support research-industry partnerships.
1
2 $1.6 new patents filed patent families research invention disclosure
21
partnerships
million in researchpartnership revenue
31%
Entrepreneurship:
Grow entrepreneurship through the development of research spin-offs and student entrepreneurship. The Brock LINC houses the university’s business incubator and provides entrepreneurship programs, workshops, events, mentorship and one-on-one support.
710
Participants across all Brock LINC programs and events
504
Entrepreneurs supported at Brock, 4x growth YOY
11
Student entrepreneurship awards
50
Businesses developed
$30,000
in Brock funding for entrepreneurs
30 109
Innovation & Creativity Domain Completions in the Campus-Wide Co-Curriculum
Programs, events and workshops offered in 2023-2024
Innovation Facility:
The Brock LINC is located in a 41,000-square-foot innovation facility in the Rankin Family Pavilion dedicated to inspiring new ideas, using new technologies and nurturing growth. This multi-use space is the front entrance to the University, and spans two floors. The Brock LINC manages the innovation facility, including:
• Open spaces for networking and collaboration
• Entrepreneurial space for early-stage business ideas and start-ups
• Multi-purpose rooms and meeting spaces for learning, events, and sharing
The partners in the innovation facility include:
• The Library Makerspace, which houses technology available to design, build and prototype
• The Research Impact Hub, a collaboration space for researchers, run by the Office of Research Services
• The R3 Wine Consumer Lab, one of the first virtual reality, augmented reality and physical reality labs dedicated to wine research, run by the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute
The Year in Review
Brock LINC highlights
Commercialization
Commercialization Overview
The Brock LINC helps researchers to commercialize and license their work while protecting their interests and priorities. The team supports Intellectual Property (IP) evaluation, IP protection, market assessments, licensing technology, and more.
Commercialization Highlights
Brock received ~$300,000 in funding from IP Ontario (IPON) in March 2024 to enhance commercialization outcomes, industry partnerships, and educational opportunities at Brock. This funding primarily supports the hiring of contract staff to support capacity building, but also includes funds to develop an IP support program for Ontario SMEs partnering with Brock, an Innovation Internship Program, and collaboration with other Ontario universities. In 2023-2024, Brock introduced new conferences and workshops focused on commercialization topics that engaged 80 researchers.
Idea to Impact Conference
Keynote speaker Dr. Beau Standish, President of Global Enabling Technologies, shared his path from assistant professor to commercializing his research and developing a spin-out business. Following Dr. Standish’s keynote were workshops that explored taking research from idea to application. Topics included intellectual property and commercialization, knowledge mobilization, and entrepreneurship.
Funding Research Partnerships
Funders from NSERC, OCI and Mitacs shared upcoming opportunities and funding best practices with researchers at Brock.
Community Innovation:
Moving beyond traditional research boundaries for
impact
Co-hosted with the Research Impact Learning Network, guest speaker Dr. Cynthia Goh, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Toronto, discussed ways researchers can integrate community within the innovation sphere, both by involving community in the research process and sharing results for application in community settings.
New chemical processes to improve cancer drugs
Dr. Costa Metallinos received a Mitacs-funded Lab2Market grant, a program that supports researchers in the early stages of development, providing market research training, and guidance needed to take their innovations to market. Dr. Metallinos and his graduate student worked to develop a process for stereoselective synthesis of N-substituted ferrocenes, whose synthesis is challenging due to chirality. Their novel chemical processes could potentially ease synthesis of Sapacitabine, a Phase II clinical drug to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-small-cell lung cancer.
Genes associated with reading performance
Dr. Jan Frijters, along with collaborators at Yale University and UTHealth Houston, identified genes and genetic variants associated with reading performance to be used for early identification of children and adults at risk for developing reading problems. Led by Yale, the intellectual property was licensed to Sharpen, a US-based startup.
Research-Industry Partnerships
Overview
The Brock LINC helps companies connect and collaborate with researchers to solve industry problems. The team identifies and assists with funding opportunities to support research-industry partnerships, and facilitates the relationship between the researcher and industry partner. The Brock LINC assists researchers and partners in maximizing collaborative funding opportunities by identifying and guiding the application process for eligible industry matching grant programs.
Partnership Highlights
In 2023-2024, Brock joined the Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN), an initiative led by Niagara College and funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), with the purpose of enhancing the greenhouse industry in southern Ontario. Brock researchers received a total of $155,544 in funding from GTN partnership projects.
EcoWool Canada
Dr. Liette Vasseur, Professor in Biological Sciences, and Dr. Vaughn Mangal, Assistant Professor in Chemistry, are working with EcoWool to test the efficacy of wool as a natural fertilizer and sustainable option to support crop growth in the agricultural sector. The project is working to determine the effectiveness of wool pellets as a soil amendment to improve soil health, fertility and crop performance. This partnership was supported by funding through the Greenhouse Technology Network.
TenantCube
Dr. Anteneh Ayanso, Professor of Information Systems at the Goodman School of Business, worked with Tenantcube, a local property management software company, to create a data analytics framework that helps landlords and tenants find their perfect match. This partnership was supported by Mitacs funding.
Digital Governance Standards Institute
Dr. Nicole Goodman, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, has worked with the Digital Governance Standards Institute and Neuvote Systems Inc. since 2020 to develop a new proposed standard for online municipal voting in Canada. This partnership was supported by Mitacs and SSHRC funding.
Ontario Grape & Wine Research Inc. (OGWRI)
The Ontario Grape and Wine Research Inc. (OGWRI) collaborated with Dr. Malkie Spodek and Dr. Sudarsana Poojari of the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) on a project developing ways of combatting virus spread in vineyards caused by mealybugs. They are investigating entomopathogenic fungi as bioinsecticides to control mealybug populations, which can offer a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides. This partnership was supported by funding through the Greenhouse Technology Network.
Entrepreneurship
Overview
The Brock LINC supports the growth of entrepreneurship at Brock and in the Niagara community through the development of research spin-offs, student entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial skills. The Brock LINC provides a range of entrepreneurship events, workshops and programs and houses the university’s business incubator, the LINCubator. Additional services offered include mentorship, workshops, events, co-working space, and one-on-one support.
Entrepreneurship Highlights
Entrepreneurship saw tremendous growth in 2023-2024, from supporting 4x more entrepreneurs year-over-year, to new funding and initiatives that support the development entrepreneurial skills and ventures.
The John Dobson Foundation donated $75,000 to support the development of Blueprint, a prototyping program for entrepreneurs. This funding rounds out the core entrepreneurship programs at Brock that help get entrepreneurs from idea to launch.
The Brock Student Freelance Directory launched, providing an opportunity to pair student freelance talent with small projects.
Foundations in Social Innovation Skills launched in Fall 2023 as a pilot social innovation program developed by Dr. Wesley Helms from the Goodman School of Business.
11 student entrepreneurs received early-stage funding through the Laura Sabia Entrepreneurial Award, the Entrepreneurship Co-op Awards, and the Navigate Pitch Awards
The Brock LINC Co-Working Space got an update with an enclosed, card-access space for entrepreneurs dedicated to a cohort program.
Innovation Skills Workshops & Innovation Socials were designed to foster the development of creativity and innovation skills. These events were put on hiatus after the fall term due to low turnouts.
Brock LINC Memberships continued this year for student and community member entrepreneurs to access Brock LINC spaces, resources and services at no cost. Over 200 members accessed services through the Brock LINC.
LINC Up! Networking Events brought together the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem in Niagara for two networking events.
Entrepreneurship Programs
Kick-Starting Entrepreneurship
Kick-Starting Entrepreneurship is a set of introductory workshops co-delivered with regional innovation partners, and focused on different elements of starting a small business. Workshops include:
• The Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Market Research
• Business Plan Basics
• Steps to Starting a Small Business
• Pitching Your Business
• Sales & Marketing for your Business
• What Lenders are Looking For
• Canadian Entrepreneurship for International Students
284 participants
“
16 workshops
56% repeat participants
Attending the Kick-Starting Entrepreneurship workshops gave me invaluable insights into the world of entrepreneurship. It was a great opportunity to connect with industry professionals and build meaningful relationships, setting me up for success in my own entrepreneurial journey.”
– Jay Shah, Computer Science Student
NAVIGATE
Navigate is Brock’s ideation stage program. Over 11-weeks, participants work on developing a business idea using the Lean Startup methodology, and with a focus on customer discovery. This includes small group work and weekly mentorship. By the end of the program, participants should have 100 customer interviews and a prototype or minimum viable product for their business idea.
Pitch Winners:
• Connor Kucharic, NurseRecruit
• Abhinav Garg, Manor DAO
• Nadine Bongers, nehdeen
• Ben Pretty, Boost Coffee
• Abbie Burchell, Phem
• Matthew Cary, Fawkes Consulting
47 participants
$15,000 in funding through 6 pitch awards
10 mentors
The Navigate program is an amazing, inclusive, and practical experience. It gave me the support, knowledge and guidance I needed to launch my product and continue working on it and give it my all. Without the Navigate program, it would’ve been very difficult to be motivated and work on my business idea. But it felt as though I could go in each week and see people who believed in me and what I did and I felt like I couldn’t let them down. All in all, if you have any entrepreneurial spirit, any idea, or any goals in business, the Navigate program is a great first step!”
– Nadine Bongers, Business Communications Student and Navigate Student Pitch Award Winner
LINCubator
The LINCubator is Brock LINC’s business incubation program, focused on getting early-stage businesses to launch. This program includes customized growth plans, workshops, mentorship from entrepreneurial leaders, peer to peer learning and a dedicated desk in our co-working space. The businesses in the 2024 incubation program were:
• Boost Coffee
Ben Pretty
• Cavier
Sahejpreet Lamba
• CNTRLD Golf
Brandon Bedminister
• Diverse Expressions
Gurprince Attlas
• Gift Minion
Fatima Abourida
• Nehdeen
Nadine Bongers
• NurseRecruit
Connor Kucharic
• Oakmount Company
Aysha Adam
• OBN
Graeme McMillan
• Oopsie Daisy Apparel
Trinity Samarita
• Zeppsgear
Cecily Zeppetella
“
I really liked and appreciated the fact that information and workshops were given in a very approachable and organized way. As someone with no business background, I was intimidated before starting the program. I found it easy to navigate and understand. I felt supported and I knew I could reach out to LINC staff or mentors at any time.
– Agusia Krzywinska, Adjective Noun Studios
The LINCubator program was invaluable, providing expertise across various domains such as insurance, legal, and marketing, which was crucial for me as a new entrepreneur. The mentorship sessions and discussions with peers were particularly beneficial, allowing us to navigate challenges and share experiences in our daily business operations at NurseRecruit.”
– Connor Kucharic, Founder, NurseRecruit
Entrepreneurship Co-op
The Entrepreneurship Co-op program provides co-op students with the opportunity to dedicate a co-op work term to developing and launching their business idea with the support of Brock’s Co-op, Career & Experiential Education department, and the Brock LINC. Students are supported over a work-term through coaching and mentorship provided by the Brock LINC. Students also participate in monthly check in meetings and work toward goals and milestones that they set out for their business venture. This co-op opportunity provides students with the time to further develop their business ideas and explore if entrepreneurship is a viable career path.
The Entrepreneurship Co-op Awards were developed with the help of PenFinancial Credit Union, Venture Niagara and the Brock LINC. Two awards of $1,000 each are awarded each semester, for up to 6 awards annually. 4 awards were awarded in 2023-2024:
• Patrick Bronn, Business Administration Student, Digital Advertising Agency
• Kevin Stefanchuk, Physics Student, KPS Builds
• Fatima Abourida, Computer Science Student, Gift Minion
• Zabir Patwary, Business Administration Student, University Connect Marketplace
The Laura Sabia Entrepreneurial Award is part of a gift from Chancellor Hilary Pearson and Michael Sabia. The awards provide $10,000 to support a four-month Entrepreneurship Co-op term for up to 5 woman-identifying students at Brock University in a co-op program per year. One award was awarded in 2023-2024 to Fatima Abourida.
“
I am incredibly thankful for the resources provided through the Entrepreneurship Co-op. It was through this program that I discovered the Navigate program, which played a crucial role in validating my business ideas and connecting me with exceptional mentors. The Laura Sabia Entrepreneurial Award helped me fund new machinery, which increased my production capabilities, allowing me to offer a wider variety of customized merchandise at a much more effective rate.”
– Fatima Abourida, Laura Sabia Entrepreneurial Award Recipient, Entrepreneurship Co-op Program Participant
9 participants
$14,000 in funding from Co-op awards
Brock LINC Holiday Market
The Brock LINC Holiday Market supports hidden entrepreneurs on campus – makers and creators. The market provides a free platform for students, faculty and staff creators to sell their handmade goods.
“
I really liked and appreciated the fact that information and workshops were given in a very approachable and organized way. As someone with no business background, I was intimidated before starting the program. I found it easy to navigate and understand. I felt supported and I knew I could reach out to LINC staff or mentors at any time.
– Agusia Krzywinska, Adjective Noun Studios
This was my second year participating and it was a wonderful experience. This event is such a great way to showcase the often-hidden creative talent within the Brock University community, and a wonderful opportunity for students, faculty and staff to support each other. Participating in other local markets is too far out of reach for someone like me who does this work on the side, so I'm grateful to have had this opportunity to share my craft with others, raise brand awareness, and strengthen some of my business skills in the process. I've learned something new each year that I've participated, and I always leave the event feeling inspired to explore more ways I can improve my business and customer experience. Thank you!”
– Kaitlyn Daw, Brock University Staff Member
28 vendor applications
23 vendor participants
Campus Store Contest
The Campus Store Contest was developed to support product-based student entrepreneurs on campus. The contest offers Brock students the chance to display their own retail-based products in dedicated retail space in store and online at the Campus Store.
Psychology student Divit Payeng was the winner for The Tote Store where he makes hand embroidered tote bags. His products will be available in the Campus Store from September 2024 to April 2025 and he will continue to have access to mentorship and resources to develop the business.
10 applications
4 finalists
847 votes
“
Winning the Campus Store Contest has been a pivotal moment for my business, providing me with invaluable recognition and exposure. This achievement not only validates my commitment to excellence and innovation but also opens doors to new partnerships and opportunities for growth. The contest victory will enhance my credibility, attract a wider audience, and empower us to expand our reach and impact within the industry.”
– Divit Payeng, the Tote Store –Campus Store Contest Winner
Brock Entrepreneur Recognition
Youth Entrepreneurs of the Year
In November, Brock Bachelor of Science student Luka Lamaj and Brock alum Tefari Bailey (BA ’19) were named Youth Entrepreneurs of the Year alongside 29 other young entrepreneurs from across Canada by the League of Innovators.
Luka Lamaj is the co-founder and CEO of Docere Health. This video communication platform eases interactions between doctors and patients via simple and accessible features.
Tefari Bailey is the founder and CEO of Hutsy Financial. This online-only financial super-app is designed to help marginalized people gain financial literacy. In addition to being named a Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, Tefari also won the Black Founder Award category presented by the Black Founders Network.
Dragon’s Den Investment
Cecily Zeppetella, a fourth-year Media and Communications student, entered the Dragons’ Den in October and came away with two investors. Together with her father, Cecily pitched Zeppsgear, which produces patented outerwear for labourers working at heights. The company’s jackets allow for safety harnesses to be worn underneath without a risk of choking in the event of a fall.
Brock’s Startup Alumni
In early 2024, we reached out to over 350 alumni who had participated in entrepreneurship programs at Brock in the past ten years to find out how those entrepreneurial ventures fared. While this is not an exhaustive view of alumni businesses, the responses give a snapshot into the activity generated from businesses started at Brock.
13% survey response rate
65% of respondents are still operating their business Supporting an estimated
