Brock LINC Annual Report
Message from the
This year's annual report reflects something we have been working toward for some time: a Brock innovation ecosystem that is not only growing in scale, but maturing in the depth and diversity of the pathways it opens for researchers, students, and entrepreneurs alike.
The numbers tell part of the story — 336 entrepreneurs supported, $1.3 million in commercialization funding, 140 industry engagements, and $475,000 in external grants and funding secured by Brock entrepreneurs. Behind each of these figures is a team dedicated to connecting students, researchers, industry and funders together. Our role is to ensure that Brock innovators at every stage have the knowledge, networks, and support to choose the path that is right for them and their work.
This year, we were grateful to Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) for funding to support the commercialization capacity of the organization. This increased capacity allowed us to engage with 140 new industry partners, evaluate a stream of new invention disclosures, and secure $1.1 million in commercialization funding for prototype and product development.
One of our new entrepreneurship initiatives this year was joining the national Lab2Market Network as a delivery partner for commercialization training for graduate students and early-career researchers. Lab2Market connects Canada's universities through a shared commitment to improving how we move ideas from the lab into the world. This year, we delivered the Validate Foundations program both as a general cohort and through a dedicated Women in STEM
stream in partnership with WeBC, together reaching 39 participants and helping them build the frameworks and confidence to explore commercialization pathways. The focus on commercialization support for graduate students and early-career researchers is one I expect to deepen in the years ahead.
From the Innovation Showcase – which this year celebrated six research technologies in active commercialization development and nine researchindustry partnerships – to the LINCubator's 18 businesses and the prototypes developed in the Blueprint program, the breadth of innovation activity at Brock continues to grow, as does the quality. Our 2025–2026 Brock Innovators of the Year, Dr. Shawn Beaudette and Dr. David T. Brown, are outstanding examples of what it looks like when rigorous research connects to societal and economic impact.
There is much to be proud of in these pages, and there is much more ahead.
Sincerely,
Farzana Crocco Executive Director, Innovation, Commercialization & Entrepreneurship Brock LINC
Brock LINC Overview & Innovation Impact
The Brock LINC is Brock University’s innovation centre & incubator with a focus on connecting Brock research, ideas and technology to the market. We support this in three ways: commercializing research at Brock, developing research and industry partnerships, and supporting a robust culture of entrepreneurship.
Research Commercialization:
We help researchers to commercialize and license their work while protecting their interests and priorities. The team supports Intellectual Property (IP) education, IP evaluation, IP protection, market assessments, research technology development, licensing technology, and more.
$1.3
Research-Industry Partnerships:
12 36 patent families research partnership projects initiated million in commercialization funding
140
3 16
8
total industry engagements research invention disclosures
new patents filed total awarded projects
The Brock LINC helps companies connect and collaborate with our 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.
$690k
total committed project value
Entrepreneurship:
We support the growth of entrepreneurship at Brock through the development of research spin-offs, student entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial skills. Our entrepreneurship programs are designed to support early-stage entrepreneurship from ideation, discovery, and launch.
900
participants across all Brock LINC programs and events
336
53
$475,000 $70,000 entrepreneurs supported at Brock in external grants and funding for Brock entrepreneurs in Brock student entrepreneurship awards
15
student entrepreneurship awards business ideas developed programs, events and workshops offered in 2025-2026
71
Innovation Showcase Highlights
The Brock Innovation Showcase is an annual celebration of research, entrepreneurship and innovation hosted by the Brock LINC. This special event brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, students and community partners to highlight the groundbreaking work happening at Brock and the event features:
research-based technologies that are being developed for commercialization startups that have been incubated in the OVER
$50,000 in funding for student entrepreneurs research-industry partnerships 9
Brock Innovation Awards
Brock Innovator of the Year Award
The Brock Innovator of the Year Award honors Brock faculty and staff who have demonstrated exemplary innovation or commercialization and have successfully translated their research and ideas into social or economic impact.
Dr. Shawn Beaudette Associate Professor,
Kinesiology
Dr. Beaudette develops accessible computervision tools that use consumer-grade video to objectively analyze human movement outside the lab. His innovations have led to multiple spin-off companies that improve clinical screening, athletic performance analysis, and musculoskeletal health outcomes.
Dr.
David T. Brown
Associate Professor, Geography and Tourism Studies
Dr. Brown developed Interpretours and Guidetags mobile app, an open, GPS-enabled digital platform that allows anyone to create and experience location-based multimedia stories in real-world settings. His innovation democratizes heritage interpretation, education, and tourism storytelling, engaging hundreds of students, community partners, and public organizations worldwide while enabling scalable social and economic impact.
Brock Entrepreneur of the Year Award
The Brock Entrepreneur of the Year Award celebrates and recognizes the most promising entrepreneurs developing their businesses at Brock. The award highlights the innovative startups that are shaping the world and inspiring action.
Milad Nourvand LingUp Education Inc.
LingUp is an app that helps users practice speaking English, Spanish, Turkish, French, and German through real-life, interactive conversations. Its AI gives instant feedback on users’ pronunciation, grammar, and word choice and adapts each practice to their level and goals.
Laura Sabia Entrepreneurial Awards
The Laura Sabia Entrepreneurial Awards are funded through a generous donation by Hilary Pearson and Michael Sabia. The award provides $10,000 for women-identifying students enrolled in undergraduate and/or graduate studies at Brock University and are actively working on developing a business idea, developing products/prototypes, or running a registered/incorporated business.
Aashi Arora, Cake is Bae
$10,000
Operating in Canada and India, Cake is Bae offers exceptional homemade cheesecakes, tiramisu, custom cakes, and handcrafted desserts. Products are available for online ordering at in-person markets such as the Brock LINC Holiday Vendor Market.
Alexis D’Silva, Alexis D’Silva Art
$10,000
Artist Alexis D’Silva creates figurative and landscape contemporary art that explores culture, identity, and intersectionality. Using acrylics and mixed media, each piece tells a story and brings color to any space. Alexis D’Silva Art offers original artwork, posters, prints, and postcards.
Becky Kwok, LinguoTone
$10,000
LinguoTone is an AI mentor for high stakes language proficiency exams (e.g., IELTS, HKDSE; with roadmap to Reading/Listening). It provides exam focused assessment, highly personalized feedback, clear error categorization (grammar, tenses, pronunciation, etc.), and AI generated, customized practice that converts into spaced repetition (Anki) cards for effective follow up. Unlike general language apps, LinguoTone pinpoints individual weaknesses, adapts practice across multiple languages, and supports user defined materials.
Anna Munezero, QuickGlam
$10,000
QuickGlam is a beauty vending machine business designed to restore confidence and provide convenient 24/7 access to essential beauty and personal care products helping customers stay confident, prepared and focused throughout their day.
Ivie Osagie, Plan-ED
$10,000
Plan-ED is a technology-based academic guidance platform that simplifies the Canadian school-topostsecondary pathway. It centralizes course planning, extracurricular milestones, and post-secondary requirements, providing students with personalized roadmaps that evolve from early high school to graduation. Plan-ED addresses gaps in student-to-counsellor ratios and unequal access to guidance, acting as an academic guidance counsellor in students’ pockets.
The Year in Review
Brock LINC highlights
Commercialization
Overview
The goal of research commercialization is to help new research discoveries at Brock develop into marketable products, services, and technologies. This process involves identifying the commercial potential of academic research, protecting intellectual property, and developing strategies to bring innovations to market. It not only drives economic growth but also ensures that research has a tangible societal impact.
Commercialization Highlights
Immunotherapy for Age-Related Chronic Diseases
Dr. Newman Sze
Aging leads to the accumulation of damaged (IsoDGR-modified) proteins, which trigger inflammation and contribute to cardiovascular, lung and neurodegenerative diseases. Brock researchers developed a novel antibody approach to remove these damaged proteins and offer a new therapeutic solution for a broad range of age-related diseases.
Dr. Sze and his group were recently awarded Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grants totaling close to $1 million. Sze’s proposal was reviewed and funded through the Commercialization Committee stream of the Project Grant program, reflecting its translation and commercialization focus. Learn more >
High-Speed Photodetector Material
Dr. Jianbo Gao
Conventional photodetectors often suffer from limited signal efficiency and slow response times. Brock University researchers have developed new photodetector materials using Silver Selenium and Silver Sulfite quantum dots that doubles signal efficiency and responds in picoseconds. This breakthrough enhances technologies such as cameras, solar panels, and infrared sensors, offering superior performance for communication, medical imaging, and LiDAR.
Dr. Gao’s recent project is supported by an Idea to Innovation (I2I) grant from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), which supports university and college researchers to develop promising technologies and transfer these to new or established Canadian companies. Learn more >
Mucosal Vaccine Adjuvants
Dr. Tony Yan
Vaccination has effectively controlled many infectious diseases, but there is a significant unmet need for mucosal (needle free) and oral vaccines. Researchers at Brock University are utilizing fluorinated cyclic dinucleotides (FCDs) as adjuvants for making oral vaccines more effective, and patient friendly. This has widespread applications for gastrointestinal, respiratory, and sexually transmitted infections.
Physiologically Relevant Cell Culture Media
Dr. Jeff Stuart
Researchers at Brock University have created a new generation of cell culture media that more closely mimics the natural conditions cells experience inside the body. Unlike traditional lab media, these formulations match the mix of nutrients and metabolites found in blood or surrounding tissues and can be customized for specific organs or diseases. By recreating a more realistic cellular environment, this approach helps cells behave more naturally in the lab, leading to research results that better reflect what happens in real life.
Self-Healing Silicones
Dr. Paul Zelisko
Polymer materials commonly degrade over time, leading to costly repairs and replacements. Brock University researchers have developed self-healing silicones that repair damage at ambient temperatures, enhancing durability and extending product lifespans. This technology offers a sustainable, cost-effective solution for industries such as automotive, electronics, and healthcare, reducing maintenance costs and improving performance in seals, electronics, and consumer goods.
VR Wine Glass
Dr. Debbie Inglis
Brock University researchers have created a vessel that enhances the sensory experience of drinks like wine, beer, and coffee while using virtual-reality and/or augmented-reality headmounted displays. By optimizing surface area, it improves aroma release and taste, bridging sensory evaluation with wearable tech. This innovation is perfect for virtual reality, consumer testing, sensory training, and assistive technologies, enhancing accessibility and self-reliance.
Research-Industry Partnerships
Overview
Research and industry partnerships are a key component of the innovation activity at Brock. These collaborations are not just beneficial, they are essential in solving real-world challenges and creating meaningful economic and social impact. These opportunities provide valuable training opportunities for our students, and enable our researchers to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact.
Partnership Highlights
Chalk Monkey Labs & Dr. Shawn Beaudette Kinesiology
Chalk Monkey Labs is developing video-based movement assessment tools to help coaches and clinicians evaluate running technique and injury risk. In collaboration with Dr. Shawn Beaudette, the project applies biomechanical research to deliver objective, data-driven insights that support more personalized and preventative athlete care.
Wandler Probiotics & Dr. Dustin Duncan & Dr. Vaughn Mangal Chemistry
Dustin Duncan and Vaughn Mangal, in collaboration with Wandler Probiotics, explored a fermented, plant-based blend designed to support plant growth and soil health. Examining influences on soil conditions and nutrient availability, with greenhouse studies focused on plant growth and overall crop performance. The work aimed to advance sustainable alternatives to conventional agricultural inputs.
Rel8ed.to & Dr. Leila Tahmooresnejad Business Analytics
Partnering with Rel8ed, Dr. Leila Tahmooresnejad led an innovation-focused project turning fragmented ESG data into clear, actionable insights. Using market intelligence and machine learning, the team built a scalable analytics framework that improves transparency and supports better
Kevares Autonomous Solutions & Dr. Shengrong Bu & Dr. Shahryar Rahnamayan Engineering
Kevares Autonomous Services collaborated with Dr. Shengrong Bu and Dr. Shahryar Rahnamayan to develop an AI-powered smart vision system that helps autonomous robots navigate complex greenhouse environments. By integrating computer vision, sensor fusion, and intelligent navigation, the project enhances robotic safety, precision, and efficiency in modern greenhouse operations.
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, The Niagara Parks Commission & Dr. Julia Baird Environmental Sustainability Centre
Led by Dr. Julia Baird with the Niagara Parks Commission and Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, this project bridges research and practice to explore how people connect with nature. It highlights how meaningful experiences encourage pro-environmental behaviour and helps partners design inclusive, engaging programs rooted in real community needs.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) & Dr. Malkie Spodek Cool Climate Oenology & Viticulture Institute
This project investigates a non-chemical method for managing the multi-coloured Asian lady beetle, a pest affecting grape quality in Ontario. Led by Dr. Malkie Spodek at CCOVI, it evaluates UVC light, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide treatments to lower pest populations and support more sustainable viticulture practices.
Canadian Women and Sports & Dr. Shannon Kerwin Sport Management
Led by Dr. Shannon Kerwin in partnership with Canadian Women & Sport, this project examines women’s leadership pathways in sport across Canada. Through interviews, policy analysis, and lived experiences, the research generates practical, evidence-based insights to advance gender equity, inclusion, and stronger leadership systems nationwide.
Dairy Farmers Canada & Dr. Nota Klentrou Kinesiology
In partnership with Dairy Farmers of Canada, Dr. Nota Klentrou leads research on supporting young athletes’ health and performance. Focusing on nutrient dense whole foods like Greek yogurt, the project examines recovery, bone development, and inflammation, generating practical insights that connect nutrition science with real-world sport settings.
Canadian National Institute for the Blind & Dr. Nicole Luke Applied Disability Studies
Dr. Nicole Luke is partnering with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind to study attitudes toward people with sight loss. Using data from the Vision Mates program, the project explores how experiences and interactions shape perceptions, translating research insights into practical recommendations that support inclusion and improve quality of life.
Destiny Copper & Dr. Vaughn Mangal Chemistry
Dr. Vaughan Mangal is partnering with Destiny Copper to explore innovative ways to recover copper from Lake Erie algae blooms. Drawing on phytoremediation principles, the project examines how algae accumulate trace metals and how this can support sustainable copper extraction, advancing resource recovery and circular economy solutions through applied research and industry collaboration.
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 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:
• Market Research
• Business Plan Basics
• Steps to Starting a Small Business
• Sales & Marketing for your Business
• What Lenders are Looking For
• Canadian Entrepreneurship for International Students
• Introduction to Intellectual Property
• Entrepreneurship for Artists
• Careers in Startups Panel Discussion
• Female Founders Panel Discussion
50% attend multiple workshops
workshops
Validate Foundations is a great program for anyone who doesn’t know where to start. It helped me channel my chaotic thoughts into a clear and productive framework. It also helped me realize that entrepreneurship can be a career path and motivated me to keep learning with Brock LINC. With their support, I have started to work on validating my business idea. Apart from the learning experience, these programs welcomed me into an incredibly supportive community of entrepreneurs who are always willing to help each other out.”
– Larisa Morales Soto
Lab2Market Validate Foundations
This year the Brock LINC joined the National Lab2Market Network, a nationwide network that seeks to improve innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurial skills training within Canada’s universities to create and grow start-ups and to take ideas from lab to impact. Validate Foundations is a three-day intensive virtual training program aimed at providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the process and best practices for research commercialization.
Lab2Market Validate Foundations: Women in STEM
In January 2026, the Brock LINC in partnership with WeBC, and funded by the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy delivered the Lab2Market Validate Foundations program. This five-week virtual program supports Ontario-based women-identifying entrepreneurs in male-dominated fields, particularly those in STEM disciplines.
15 participants
24 participants
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:
• Anna Munezero, QuickGlam
• Stephen Davis, The Goose
• Hinkal Patel, Field Front Medical Services
• Joanne Lachance & Franco Venturato, Purvivino
• Isaac Dance, Hang Time Display
• Lena Miele, Pathways to Purpose
$15,000 in funding through 6 pitch awards
54 participants
12 mentors
“
I joined the 2026 Winter cohort of Navigate after being impressed with the Kick-Starting Entrepreneurship series, and I could not be happier with my decision to participate! The program curriculum and mentorship have given me valuable insight into early-stage entrepreneurship, especially the research validation component. I enjoyed learning about the customer experience so much that I was inspired to transition into UX Research as a career specialization.”
– Jen Woronow, Yankee Yandal Vintage
Blueprint
Blueprint is designed to help entrepreneurs manage the confusing and expensive process required to develop an interactive, physical, or digital prototype for their product or service business. This program is generously funded by the John Dobson Foundation to fund the vendors providing prototyping production support. The businesses in the second cohort of the program were:
• PathSight Learning, Amir Tabriz & Anthony Bevilacqua
• The Moment, Mathew Rienzo
• D-Tail Tools, Stephen Davis
• Markingtekt, Koah Ing
• Home Hero, Cyrus Kiani
• Axis Homme Skin, Maheen Rajani
• Flexline, Abhilesh Gaikwad & Rafey Rehan
• MemoraCare, Jessica Grabell & Tobias Johansson
• Dawa & Co., Tiffany Muhindi
9 businesses supported
8
vendors and mentors for production support
“When I started the Blueprint program, I really struggled with creating the wireframes for my co-founder, who is the developer for our product. My background is healthcare, and I do not have a background in technology, but I have a really good idea that could benefit older adults and people living with dementia. It's really taken us to the next level. A lot of time with startups, you can really come to a roadblock. Through the Blueprint program, we've really been able to work through that roadblock and take our business to the next level. I highly recommend the Blueprint program for those who have innovative ideas. There are a lot of great ideas right now around technology from people like me who don't have a background in tech. But the Blueprint program can help bridge the gap between ideation and taking a product to market.”
– Jessica Grabell, MemoraCare Technologies Inc.
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 2026 incubation program were:
• Stephen Davis, D-Tail Tools
• Abhilesh Gaikwad, Flexline
• Sisi Xie, MM English
• Kelsey Pitt, The Selfie Spot
• Franco Venturato & Joanne Lechance, Purvivino Inc
• Anas Abidrabbu, KIYAN
• Ivie Osagie, Plan-ED
• Muhammad Kiani, RealSkill Sandbox
• Mark Castrodale, NeurothriveAI
• Alexis Stephenson, Lexi’s Hair Boutique
$150,000 in funding from Brock awards
• Alexis D’Silva, Alexis D’Silva Art
• Maheen Rajani, AXIS HOMME Skin
• Travis Fuchs, Fuchs Educational Research and Development
• Justin Mafie, CREOVA
• Anna Munezero, QuickGlam
• Charlotte Scace, Cluo
• Thomas Tam, Influx Games
• Alka Singh, Paradigm Healthcare Services
18 businesses supported
23 mentors
Being part of the LINCubator program at Brock LINC has honestly been such a game changer for me and for The Selfie Spot. After going through Navigate, I had the foundation, but LINCubator is what actually helped me build on it in a real way. It took everything from being ideas and plans and pushed me to actually execute. It kept me accountable in a way I didn’t even realize I needed. As an entrepreneur it is so easy to get caught up in ideas, but this program really helps you move forward and take action.”
– Kelsey Pitt, The Selfie Spot
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 2025-2026:
• Owen Sartor, Business Administration Student, Lawn Masters Property Service
• Angad Katora, Business Administration Student, APH Performance
• Sean McAlister, Computer Science Student, Vesper Arcana Games
• Tristan Gagnon, Business Administration Student, Kiyomi’s Tea Shop
$5,000 in funding from Entrepreneurship Co-op Awards
“
8 participants
My experience in the Entrepreneurship Co-op has been incredibly valuable in helping me in the growth of my business. The Entrepreneurship Co-op allowed me to work on my business full-time to achieve my goals faster. The resources helped me to develop access to a big professional network.”
– Tristan Gagnon, Kiyomi’s Tea Shop
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 “
Being part of the Brock LINC Holiday Market was such a rewarding experience for my bakery, Cake Is Bae. It gave me the chance to showcase my products, connect with new customers, and engage with a community that genuinely supports student entrepreneurs. Opportunities like this make a big difference for small businesses and help turn student ideas into real ventures.”
– Aashi Arora, Cake is Bae
LINC Up! Networking Events
LINC Up! twice a year with Brock LINC members, entrepreneurs in our programs, and our Niagara Innovation ecosystem. This year we did a LINC Up! mash-up with the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce’s Business After 5 Networking Event, bringing the Niagara business community to Brock. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to make connections with entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators!
“
I've been attending LINC Up! events for years, and they have always been a great chance to stay up to date on the amazing things happening at the LINC and meet remarkable entrepreneurs from all across Niagara Region.”
– Agusia Krzywinska, President of Adjective Noun Studios & LINCubator Alum
