An applied research network launched in January 2025 continues to bring together six leading prairie polytechnics to accelerate innovation in Western Canada’s mining sector, tackling real‑world industry challenges through rapid, collaborative research sprints.

The Prairie Polytechnic Innovation Network Accelerating Commercialization for Local Ecosystems, known as P2INACLE, brings together Saskatchewan Polytechnic, NAIT, Northwestern Polytechnic, Red Deer Polytechnic, RRC Polytech and SAIT to advance applied research and strengthen Canada’s global competitiveness.

The latest P2INACLE applied research initiative, Innovation Sprints, resulted in four new projects focused on mining innovation. These will deliver actionable insights on industry challenges identified by the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII), provide foundational research to guide future initiatives and strengthen collaboration across participating polytechnics by mapping shared expertise and facilities. Each project runs from January to March 31, 2026, with up to $25,000 in funding available with support from IMII, PrairiesCan and the lead polytechnic.

“Collaboration is critical to accelerating Canada’s innovation economy across all sectors. Applied research networks like P2INACLE increase knowledge transfer and create connections that help to unlock opportunities for industry partners by maximizing not only RRC Polytech’s vast resources but all of the incredible technology, facilities and expertise available right across the prairies,” said Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Executive Director, Research Partnerships & Innovation at RRC Polytech. 

“Our teams have years of experience working with cold spray, additive manufacturing and advanced welding technologies so it’s a natural but exciting next step to collaborate with our P2INACLE colleagues to explore how we can apply these skills, along with emerging AI applications, to enhance efficiency for our partners in mining.”

“IMII is pleased to partner with P2INACLE for the Innovation Sprint projects, which provide an opportunity to get a high-level overview of recent innovations across a wide breath of sectors in areas that are strategically relevant to the Saskatchewan mining sector” says Lesley McGilp, executive director of IMII.  “IMII is excited to see the outcomes of the Innovation Sprint projects which will help inform follow-on projects supported by our consortium members.”

Red Deer & RRC Polytech: Advanced manufacturing and advanced materials applications sprint 

Researchers Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Debyoti Sen and Dr. Kyle Nicholson from Red Deer Polytechnic, in collaboration with Dr. Baltej Rupal from RRC Polytech, will explore how advanced manufacturing technologies, including cold spray, additive manufacturing and advanced welding, could enhance efficiency and performance in mining operations. This project will inform potential mining applications for advanced manufacturing opportunities by exploring market factors influencing adoption, their use in other sectors, knowledge gaps requiring applied research, cross-sector opportunities, and underutilized capabilities in the prairie provinces. 

NAIT: Impactful innovations scan sprint

Led by NAIT researcher Dr. Lei Yang this initiative will conduct a comprehensive technology scan and literature review of emerging innovations relevant to underground and solution mining. Yang will identify proven, high-impact technologies, assess their maturity and cross-sector origins, and evaluate their applicability to Saskatchewan’s underground and solution potash and uranium operations. Drawing on recent advances across sectors including oil and gas, energy, nuclear, construction, agriculture, and environmental monitoring, the study will prioritize technologies that have been demonstrated in real-world underground or harsh operating environments.

Northwestern Polytechnic: Industrial safety and trades innovation sprint

Lorelle Warr and Dr. Brye McMorran, researchers from Northwestern Polytechnic are analyzing injury trends across mining and related industries such as utilities and oil and gas. They will explore innovations used outside the mining sector and/or Saskatchewan to determine their potential application within the province’s mining sector, with the goal of reducing time-lost injury claims.

NAIT: Water use and reuse technology sprint

Lead by NAIT researcher Muhammad Burhan, this applied research project evaluates water treatment technologies for recovering potassium chloride (KCl) from potash brines and improving water reuse in both potash and uranium mining operations. Through a technology scan and literature review, it will assess thermal, membrane, and hybrid systems focusing on energy use, scalability and brine‑separation efficiency. The study will explore opportunities to use low‑grade waste heat from potash drying processes to power low‑temperature desalination. Applicability to uranium effluents, including chloride and contaminant removal through thermal distillation and membrane filtration, will also be examined to recommend viable, low‑footprint solutions for each sector.

“We’re thrilled to see such dynamic applied‑research collaboration and innovation happening across these polytechnics,” says Sabrina Kehoe, navigator and manager of P2INACLE. “The results of these Innovation Sprints will bring great value to IMII and its members. We’re grateful to PrairiesCan for supporting and investing in these forward‑thinking projects and network!”

Innovation Sprints mark the second wave of P2INACLE’s collaborative research efforts—laying the groundwork for future projects under IMII’s IDEATE 2026 initiative and helping position the prairie provinces as leaders in mining innovation. IDEATE is an opportunity for research faculty and students to engage together to learn about and discuss problem areas identified by the minerals industry which they believe are amenable to applied research with the potential to lead to the development of innovative solutions.

P2INACLE aims to drive economic growth and diversification through collaboration. It acts as a catalyst for regional prosperity by providing streamlined access to resources for industries, especially small and medium-sized enterprises and larger businesses. By leveraging the expertise and facilities of each polytechnic, P2INACLE offers tailored solutions for commercialization and diversification, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange. 

Learn more at P2INACLE.ca

Each month we shine a spotlight on the bold ideas shaping Canada’s innovation landscape through Labs4 – a nationwide network powered by RRC Polytech’s Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) enterprise.

Here are the latest success stories fueling Canada’s next wave of economic growth:

Labs4 launches Market to Lab pilot projects at RRC Polytech and NSCC

Labs4 has launched pilot projects for its Market to Lab (MtL) Program, now underway at RRC Polytech in the Prairies and Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) in Atlantic Canada. Market to Lab is a two-month, hands-on commercialization sprint for researcher-entrepreneurs building research-based ventures.   

Valorizing Canadian Innovation: How Labs4 and Labs+ Turn Research into Economic Value

For decades, Québec has led Canada in valorization, investing in applied research capacity and industry-facing supports that help teams protect IP early, test it in real-world conditions and make the manufacturability, durability and scale-up decisions that determine whether a discovery becomes something the market can adopt. Labs4 and its Québec hub, Labs+, are designed to extend that momentum across the country.

Labs+: Activating Québec’s CCTT Ecosystem to Accelerate Research to Market

Canada is rich in research, but finding pathways to bring good ideas to market remains a national challenge. In Québec, a new innovation hub is tackling that gap head-on. Labs+ is the province’s hub of Labs4, a pan-Canadian initiative that helps student-researchers and early-stage innovators move their work out of the lab and into the market by embedding commercialization support early in the innovation journey.

Labs4 is an RRC Polytech-led, Canada-wide network of 38 colleges, universities, and polytechnics working in partnership to empower researcher-entrepreneurs to turn academic breakthroughs into real-world ventures, products, and solutions.

Delivered through 11 Regional and Indigenous Entrepreneurship Hubs, Labs4 is inclusive by design, nationally coordinated, and regionally grounded. Our mission is to close Canada’s research-to-commercialization gap by equipping researcher-entrepreneurs with the experience, tools, and networks to turn ideas into impact.

We build on research excellence by prioritizing productization and real-world outcomes. Through Labs4, innovations gain traction, ventures gain momentum, and Canada gains economic and social value.


Applications now being accepted for Fall intake

The Labs4 Technology Readiness Level-Up (TRL) program is a four-month, fully funded commercialization experience for student innovators across Canada. RRC Polytech’s regional hub is looking for students from all backgrounds, disciplines, and communities who are working on research-based innovations or prototypes or simply have an idea that could be brought closer to market.

What participants receive:

• A $10,000 stipend
• Mentorship from experienced industry and tech transfer professionals
• Hands-on training in applied research labs and commercialization environments
• A national peer cohort of fellow innovators
• Practical experience in taking research from concept to real-world impact

Who can apply:

• In April 2026, you must be a current College, Undergrad, Master’s, PhD student, or postdoc (within five years of graduation) at a Canadian post-secondary institution, or a recent graduate (within two years of graduation)
• Projects can be technical, scientific, social, or community-based, we welcome a broad definition of innovation

We are especially committed to engaging students from equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and students with disabilities, as well as those from rural, remote, and underrepresented regions. We know innovation is stronger when it reflects the diversity of Canada, and this program is designed to support a wide range of ideas, identities, and experiences.

TRL is open to innovators across all sectors. This year, teams developing technologies in AI, defence or dual-use, and energy transition may also benefit from additional, sector-informed expertise within the program.

Application deadline: April 6, 2026 

Each month we shine a spotlight on the bold ideas shaping Canada’s innovation landscape through Labs4 – a nationwide network powered by RRC Polytech’s Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) enterprise.

Here are the latest success stories fueling Canada’s next wave of economic growth:

Labs4: leveraging the know-how of Canada’s colleges to drive innovation and productivity:     

A cross-Canada set of applied research impact examples showing how college and polytechnic expertise helps move research toward commercialization across multiple sectors. It includes Manitoba examples (including RRC Polytech) alongside other hub-led stories.

From start-up to national impact: Labs4’s inaugural summit signals Canada’s next era of innovation: 

Recap of the inaugural Labs4 National Summit hosted by RRC Polytech in Winnipeg, positioning Labs4 as a nationally coordinated, regionally delivered commercialization engine. It highlights Labs4’s programs (TRL and MtL), national systems work (tracking/reporting/platform), and the broader “research-to-market” narrative. 

Innovators in Motion: 

A TRL-focused feature introducing the purpose and structure of the Technology Readiness Level-Up program and the kinds of real-world problems participants are working on. It outlines the four-month model (stipend, mentorship, placements, weekly sprints) designed to move concepts toward prototypes. 

Indigenous Entrepreneurs Lifting Each Other Up: 

A story about Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah at RRC Polytech as an Indigenous-led business incubator/accelerator and part of Labs4’s Indigenous Entrepreneurship Hubs. It emphasizes culturally grounded, community-centred support and “success” framed around Indigenous leadership, self-determination and reciprocal impact. )

Labs4 is an RRC Polytech-led, Canada-wide network of 38 colleges, universities, and polytechnics working in partnership to empower researcher-entrepreneurs to turn academic breakthroughs into real-world ventures, products, and solutions.

Delivered through 11 Regional and Indigenous Entrepreneurship Hubs, Labs4 is inclusive by design, nationally coordinated, and regionally grounded. Our mission is to close Canada’s research-to-commercialization gap by equipping researcher-entrepreneurs with the experience, tools, and networks to turn ideas into impact.

We build on research excellence by prioritizing productization and real-world outcomes. Through Labs4, innovations gain traction, ventures gain momentum, and Canada gains economic and social value.


A dip, a drop, or a drizzle of hot honey can add an irresistible combination of heat and sweet to almost any dish. Hot honey is the latest sensation that’s tickling the tastebuds of consumers, from casual diners to connoisseurs, and bursting onto menus around the globe as a featured flavour – and Canadian producers are eager to capitalize on the opportunity by ensuring this innovative food trend sticks around to become a new standard.

Bee Maid Honey Limited, a co-operative owned and operated by over 300 Western Canadian beekeepers, recently partnered with RRC Polytech’s Prairie Research Kitchen (PRK) to develop its own unique version of hot honey that uses chipotle to bring some smoky heat to its traditionally sweet and pure product.

“For over 70 years, Bee Maid has proudly packed the finest quality white, golden and amber honey produced in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba,” said Shannon Bowden, Senior Brand and Communications Manager at Bee Maid. “Our iconic brand is world-renowned for traceability, quality assurance, and sustainability – but prior to collaborating with the Prairie Research Kitchen we didn’t have the staff or product development resources to fully explore flavour enhancements like this.”

After connecting at Food and Beverage Manitoba’s annual Cultivate Sustainability Conference and Trade Show, their shared mission was clear and time was of the essence so the first-time partners skipped the complex waggle dance and got right to work swarming the problem with their collective expertise.

“Bee Maid’s chipotle hot honey is a tasty example of how Prairie Research Kitchen leads food innovation by supporting companies and communities with access to state-of-the-art facilities and a team of professional and student researchers who specialize in blending food science with culinary skills to solve specific challenges,” said Mavis McRae, Director of RRC Polytech’s Prairie Research Kitchen.

Many hot honey products popularized in the US refer to its breakthrough use in the Nashville area and rely on a nondescript pepper blend to achieve its ‘hot’ characteristic, focusing more on heat than on flavour. Bee Maid’s experts worked closely with the PRK team to develop a 100% Canadian version with heat from a defined flavour profile that chefs with refined palates can instantly identify and trust to be consistent in their recipes.

“Creating a great tasting new product that will stand out in a competitive marketplace was only part of the challenge in this project,” explained McRae. “Honey crystallizes quickly when other ingredients are introduced so we had to perform many trials to determine the right combinations for a hot flavour profile that would complement and elevate Bee Maid’s delicious amber honey, while maintaining its smooth texture and prolonging its shelf life.”

After months of sensory and stability testing to perfect the process, the final product was launched and received rave reviews at Toronto’s annual Restaurants Canada Show, the nation’s largest hospitality and food service trade event in the spring. Gordon Food Service is currently distributing it to customers across Canada under its Brickman’s Brand, and it’s already featured prominently on the menus of local restaurants.

A Little Pizza Heaven now offers the ‘Heavenly Hot Honey’ a buzzworthy combination with chicken, bacon, spinach, and roasted red peppers as part of its gourmet lineup and suggests a hot honey drizzle as a flavour upgrade on any pizza.

“We tried it and loved it,” said co-owner, Dave Fox. “It was a no-brainer for us to add a high-quality ingredient that’s trending with our customers, but there’s also tremendous value in supporting local honey producers because it’s our philosophy that cooperation within the sector drives economic success for everyone across the province.”

Working together for mutual benefit has been a consistent theme on the project which helped to qualify it for federal funding through a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Applied Research and Development (ARD) grant. RRC Polytech’s Culinary Arts students and chef instructors also gained some valuable experience by testing their own creativity when showing off the honey’s versatility in a recent culinary competition.

With an innovative new food item that serves as a testament to teamwork and the importance of surrounding one’s self with a strong hive, Bee Maid is confident that the success of the project will linger like the layers of flavour in its chipotle hot honey.

“Adding a little spice to our classic lineup of products immediately ignited sales with our commercial clients and we’re hopeful a retail option will be coming soon,” said Bowden. “We couldn’t have done it without our partners at PRK, so we’re excited to continue building relationships that allow Bee Maid to explore new product opportunities, increase market growth, and demonstrate our belief in the power of collaboration.”

Led by a high volume of industry and community partnerships and innovative solutions resulting from completed applied research projects, RRC Polytech has once again been designated a top research institution in the country. Released earlier this week, Re$earch Infosource’s annual ranking of the country’s top 50 research colleges, reinforces RRC Polytech’s leadership role in the innovation ecosystem and its commitment to helping create economic prosperity for all Manitobans through collaboration. 

“These current rankings reflect RRC Polytech’s collaborative approach and industry and community relationships are resulting in practical solutions for our partners,” said Jamie Wilson, Vice President, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development at RRC Polytech.

RRC Polytech is the only post-secondary in Canada that integrates research into its Indigenous Strategy portfolio, underscoring its unique commitment to social innovation and Indigenous growth alongside its strong industry focus. The data outlined in Canada’s Innovation Leaders 2025  suggests that local businesses are responding and eager to work together on projects that tackle complex global challenges.

RRC Polytech ranked first among Canada’s medium-tier colleges in completed research projects with 158 and second in total research partnerships with 150. Total industry research income jumped 21.7 percent in fiscal 2024, indicating an increasing trust among businesses in the Polytech’s reputation for consistency and productivity.

“Regardless of the size or scope of the project – from entrepreneurs in search of support to launch and grow their business idea to established enterprises looking to integrate AI, adopt automation or explore transitioning to low carbon – Manitobans can count on our technology, facilities, and expertise to provide affordable and effective problem-solving,” said Wilson.  

The applied research activities that connect staff, faculty, and students across all of RRC Polytech’s campuses are orchestrated by its Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) enterprise. RPI oversees an ever-expanding suite of leading-edge facilities and resources and coordinates projects that seek groundbreaking new processes and products.

For example, the award-winning Prairie Research Kitchen (PRK) has partnered with Protein Industries Canada (PIC) and the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) to explore agri-food opportunities and address barriers to food security in rural and remote communities in Manitoba.

The Centre for Automation and Manufacturing Technology Transfer (CAMTT), located at the Polytech’s Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics focuses on transitioning to Industry 4.0 technologies like robotics, automation, and AI.

From testing heat pumps to developing a diesel-to-electric conversion kit for school buses, research teams at the Building Efficiency Technology Access Centre (BETAC) and Vehicle Technology & Energy Centre (VTEC) work with various partners to demonstrate how electrification can save energy and support a greener, more sustainable future.

While RRC Polytech’s Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing (TACAM) has developed unique non-destructive inspection capabilities to support additive manufacturing quality assurance, aerospace composite evaluation, and even fire investigations in Manitoba. TACAM is also home to the province’s first full-scale Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) system, advancing high-quality prototyping, process optimization, and sustainable tooling innovations for companies such as Precision ADM and Dimatec Inc.

“Through an incredible breadth of applied research collaborations, we’re solving real-world problems for our partners at all stages, from growth and productivity to adopting new tech and creating more sustainable processes – all while training tomorrow’s workforce to be more adaptable and embrace emerging technology,” said Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Executive Director of Research Partnerships & Innovation at RRC Polytech.

“Our ongoing and determined efforts to build networks that share knowledge and resources will continue to increase our capacity to lead innovation in Manitoba and beyond, driving economic growth and prosperity for everyone.”

Learn more at rrc.ca/research.

About the Rankings
Re$earch Infosource annually ranks Canada’s top research colleges based on performance metrics such as research income, partnerships, and completed projects. Institutions are categorized by size to ensure accurate comparisons. RRC Polytech consistently ranks among the top performers in the medium-tier category, earning recognition for its research excellence, innovation, and industry impact.

Read more on this year’s theme Research for Canada’s future and the future of Canadian research  at Canada’s Innovation Leaders 2025

As part of their investment in the provincial research ecosystem, Research Manitoba promotes, supports, and coordinates the funding of research excellence and innovation in health, natural and social sciences, engineering, and the humanities across Manitoba. CEO, Jennifer Cleary recently visited RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus to meet with research leaders and learn more about the innovative projects and leading-edge, applied research facilities the provincial agency is making possible. 

“Research Manitoba provides incredible support to the entire local research ecosystem and makes a profound impact on applied research initiatives at RRC Polytech,” said Jolen Galaugher, Executive Director of Research Partnerships & Innovation at RRC Polytech.

“Through programs such as the Innovation Proof-of-Concept (IPOC) grant and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Matching Fund, they allow us to create meaningful opportunities for Manitoba companies to accelerate product development, de-risk new technologies, and compete globally.”

With the province’s first full-scale Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) system, funded by Research Manitoba and CFI, RRC Polytech’s Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing (TACAM) is advancing high-quality prototyping, process optimization, and sustainable tooling innovations for companies such as Precision ADM, Dimatec Inc., and Win-Shield Devices.

Additional investments in X-Ray Computed Tomography and Thermography systems have brought unique non-destructive inspection capabilities to Manitoba supporting additive manufacturing quality assurance, aerospace composite evaluation, and even fire investigations. TACAM is also validating new applications of robotic platforms, including the Husky autonomous mobile robot, for material handling, inspection, and robotic finishing in collaboration with local SMEs.

New infrastructure funded through the Research Manitoba CFI Matching Fund, including a large-format additive manufacturing system, will further expand RRC Polytech’s ability to produce large tooling components such as patterns, molds, and trimming fixtures.

“Our research teams will leverage this equipment to help companies explore the potential of advanced materials, including high-performance polymers, to enhance the durability, functionality, and sustainability of manufactured components,” said Janfizza Bukhari, TACAM Director at RRC Polytech.

“We’re grateful for Research Manitoba’s continued support and the opportunity to proudly showcase our ongoing collaborative efforts to drive innovative solutions that elevate people, industry and communities across the province.”

The BC Beverage Technology Access Centre (BC BTAC) at Okanagan College, in partnership with the Prairie Research Kitchen (PRK) at RRC Polytech, has been recognized with a national innovation award for excellence in applied research and industry collaboration.

The two Technology Access Centres (TACs) received the Most Impactful Interactive Visit Award at the 2025 TAC Innovate Awards hosted by Tech-Access Canada in Quebec City last month. The award recognizes BC BTAC and PRK’s collaborative work with a Métis-owned microbrewery in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which sought to create a high-quality, non-alcoholic craft beer.

“This award highlights how well our Technology Access Centres have worked together with industry,” said Karin Grosstessner-Hain, Manager of the BC Beverage Technology Access Centre. “Both teams demonstrated incredible adaptability, knowledge and impact in applied research. I’m proud of the value our TACs are bringing to the economy — across provinces and sectors.”

The collaboration delivered technical and strategic impact for the microbrewery, helping them move toward commercialization while expanding their internal research capacity. For BC BTAC and PRK, the project also created a replicable model for cross-TAC collaboration, integrating sensory, analytical and process expertise across regions.

“This national recognition underscores the strength of applied research at Okanagan College and the value of collaboration across Canada’s Technology Access Centres,” said Mary Butterfield, Director of Applied Research at Okanagan College. “By combining expertise across institutions, our teams are helping industry partners innovate and grow while creating meaningful applied learning opportunities for students.”

The initiative also provided hands-on research experience for a RRC Polytech Life Sciences co-op student and strengthened BC BTAC’s growing portfolio in non-alcoholic beverage research and development.

“Cross-provincial partnerships are essential for driving innovation and creating solutions for Canadian businesses on a local, national and international scale,” said Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Executive Director, Research, Partnerships & Innovation at RRC Polytech. “By combining the complementary expertise of two TACs, we not only collaborated with a Métis-owned microbrewery to explore advanced dealcoholizing technologies but also created a replicable model for national collaboration. This project is an important example of how students bring new energy and ideas to the table while gaining hands-on research experience, expanding their learning through real-world projects.”

Creating partnerships to support local businesses aligns with Okanagan College’s mission to transform lives and communities. The College has several research projects underway designed to help communities and local businesses solve real-world problems.

“I want to congratulate everyone involved in this award, which acknowledges the strong work that went into supporting a local business through research and development,” said Samantha Lenci, Vice President Academic at OC. “Okanagan College is here to work in partnership to find innovative solutions to real world problems.”

At the inaugural Labs4 National Summit, hosted by RRC Polytech in Winnipeg, leaders from Canada’s colleges, universities, and innovation ecosystem gathered to mark a new chapter in the country’s productivity and commercialization agenda. The event underscored how Labs4 is connecting applied research and entrepreneurship through nationally coordinated, regionally delivered programs that give researcher-entrepreneurs the tools to commercialize new technologies and strengthen Canadian competitiveness.

Labs4 is Canada’s applied research commercialization engine, connecting colleges, polytechnics, and universities to turn intellectual property into market-ready products and services. By embedding IP generation, data stewardship, and commercialization training into every stage of applied research, Labs4 is helping Canada capture and retain the value of its own innovation.

Hosted by RRC Polytech — the national lead for Labs4 — the summit brought together innovation partners from across the country, including Labs4 leadership, regional hub managers, researcher-entrepreneurs, industry collaborators, and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers. Together, they celebrated how the network is mobilizing intellectual property, expanding access to commercialization training, and advancing a more inclusive, hands-on model of innovation leadership.

“Labs4 represents the next chapter in Manitoba’s innovation story, with RRC Polytech as a principal author,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO of RRC Polytech. “Leading this collaborative network validates that applied research is a vital link along Canada’s chain of innovation and increases our ability to support entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized enterprises across the country to transform their novel ideas into reality. Together, we’re accelerating the commercialization of intellectual property that boosts productivity, creating good jobs and spurring economic growth.”

Building Canada’s Bridge from Research to Market

Labs4’s rapid progress over the past year marks its transition from start-up to full national delivery. In just twelve months, the initiative has built a unified, coast-to-coast system that mobilizes intellectual property through applied research — linking 38 institutions, hundreds of researchers, and industry partners into Canada’s first truly integrated commercialization platform. In doing so, Labs4 is strengthening Canada’s ability to turn research into domestically owned ventures and technologies, and ensuring that intellectual property and economic returns stay within the Canadian innovation ecosystem.

Through two flagship programs — the Technology Readiness Level-Up (TRL) and Market to Lab (MtL) initiatives — Labs4 connects student and graduate researcher-entrepreneurs with mentors, applied research teams, and industry collaborators to advance prototypes, validate market opportunities, and launch ventures that serve real-world needs. These programs are nationally standardized but regionally tailored, ensuring that innovation support reflects local economies while supporting consistent quality, inclusivity, and impact.

This coordinated model is not just theoretical — it’s already producing measurable innovation outcomes across Canada. Each regional hub is demonstrating how national consistency, local delivery, and applied research excellence combine to move ideas from discovery to deployment.

For instance, a research team based at the University of Calgary and SAIT is scaling a nanobubble-based cleantech system that enhances wastewater treatment and improves environmental performance. In Saskatchewan, a PhD researcher in entomology is developing an AI-powered mobile app that helps Prairie farmers identify insect pests and beneficial species to improve crop management and reduce pesticide use. In Ontario, a participant is developing a spray-on EEG applicator to expand access to brain health diagnostics. And in Québec, a PhD researcher is developing low-cost, durable electrodes to make green hydrogen production more affordable. These are just a few examples among many.

“What makes Labs4 different is how it blends the strengths of colleges and polytechnics with the ambition of research-based start-ups,” said Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Executive Director of Research Partnerships and Innovation at RRC Polytech and Chair, Labs4 Executive Committee.

“This unprecedented network of 38 colleges and universities is mobilizing the transition of intellectual property to markets across Canada through the productization of research, delivered through applied research units that also serve SMEs and strengthen their competitive advantage. By building relationships across disciplines, sectors, and regions, we’re creating a model of innovation that turns collective intelligence into real-world solutions.”

At the summit, participants saw firsthand how this model works. Panels and workshops highlighted Labs4’s progress in developing national data-tracking systems, standardized reporting, and bilingual digital platforms that connect hubs, participants, and partners nationwide — ensuring transparency, accountability, and scalability. Together, these systems make Labs4 a sustainable, measurable engine for Canada’s innovation and productivity growth.

Scaling Innovation: Collaboration, AI, and Inclusion

The Labs4 National Summit wasn’t just a showcase, but a forward look at how Canada can connect research, entrepreneurship, and technology to build a more resilient, productive economy.

Joel Semeniuk, President and CEO of Primal, opened the conversation by challenging participants to rethink how innovation happens. He called for a shift from a “one-brain” model — where ideas advance in isolation — to a “many-brains” model that scales knowledge through collaboration, iteration, and shared infrastructure.

“Canada is historically exceptional at providing the world with practical solutions, but with change accelerating exponentially, our competitiveness will depend on how fast we can mobilize collective intelligence,” Semeniuk said. “Labs4 is proving what that looks like in action — connecting hundreds of innovators and applied researchers into one network that learns and grows together.”

The conversation on transformation continued with Paul Cheek, Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and Senior Advisor for Entrepreneurship & AI. Artificial intelligence and data sovereignty are critical to Canada’s future competitiveness. Cheek’s AI-Driven Enterprises (AIDE) workshop reframed entrepreneurship for the AI era, showing participants how artificial intelligence can compress the entire innovation lifecycle — from idea to product — into weeks instead of months. Using real-world examples and the Startup Tactics AI toolkit, Cheek demonstrated how entrepreneurs can now use AI agents to perform tasks that once required full teams: market research, financial modeling, product design, and customer validation.

“We’re not just building AI-driven companies,” Cheek explained. “We’re redefining how business itself operates: using AI to bend the vector of innovation, accelerate clockspeed, and create more solutions than problems. By developing AI-enabled commercialization models that are both ethical and Canadian-governed, Labs4 is helping establish the foundations of sovereign AI infrastructure, and ensuring that the benefits of machine intelligence are captured within our economy.”

For Labs4, the implications are immediate. By embedding AIDE principles into its TRL and MtL programs, Labs4 is equipping Canada’s researcher-entrepreneurs with AI literacy, decision-support tools, and productivity systems that dramatically shorten the path from lab to market. This integration of human creativity with AI-enabled efficiency positions Labs4 as a national engine not only for commercialization, but for the reinvention of how innovation happens.

“AI is a powerful tool that will change work, not eliminate work – together, we must quickly mitigate the risks and embrace it to drive the kind of progress that we’re all committed to,” said Raj Deol, Regional Program Manager, Labs4 Southern Alberta Hub at SAIT. “This week’s presentations and relationship-building activities have been invaluable. With a deeper understanding of AI opportunities along with the approaches and capabilities at other hubs, we’re better prepared and more eager than ever to engage our spoke partners in our respective regions.”         

Embedding Inclusion: Indigenous Innovation at the Centre

A recurring theme throughout the summit was that true innovation must also be inclusive. In July, leaders from Labs4’s Indigenous Entrepreneurship Hubs — Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah (RRC Polytech), pawâcikêwikamik (SIIT), and FlintHub (United College) gathered in Winnipeg for an Opening Pipe Ceremony led by Grandmother Helen Settee to ground their innovation journey with culture and shared purpose. Since then, the hubs have welcomed new cohorts of Indigenous researcher-entrepreneurs, recruited the network’s first Indigenous Program Manager, and convened the inaugural Indigenous Advisory Circle, formalizing community-led governance within the Labs4 framework.

These hubs have advanced a truly Indigenous-led approach to commercialization — one that begins with ceremony, guided by Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and extends into mentorship, training, and community-based entrepreneurship.

Indigenous entrepreneur Zachary Flett, attending the summit, said that his experience with Mittohnee inspired him to expand that spirit of collaboration through his own venture. From Sagkeeng First Nation, Flett is the founder of IndigiHub, a Winnipeg-based Indigenous-owned platform that connects entrepreneurs, communities, and investors to accelerate Indigenous innovation and economic growth.

“Being part of Mittohnee has been a powerful experience that reminded me how much impact collaboration can have when we come together as Indigenous entrepreneurs,” he said. “Through IndigiHub, my goal is to make funding and resources more accessible in one place, so others can take their ideas further without feeling lost in the process. Programs like Mittohnee and partnerships like Labs4 show what’s possible when we create spaces that empower Indigenous innovation and real opportunity.”

Darion Ducharme, founder of Teqare and a member of Lac Seul First Nation, also attended the summit. His company delivers digital safety and cybersecurity workshops to more than 70 First Nations communities and 100 schools, developed with guidance from RRC Polytech. By blending technology with cultural understanding, Teqare helps elders and youth navigate the internet safely — proof that inclusive, community-based entrepreneurship can build both social resilience and digital sovereignty.

“Being part of the inaugural Mittohnee cohort has been deeply meaningful. As the owner of a First Nations technology education company, I know how important it is to have support that understands our context. We feel supported not just as entrepreneurs, but as people first. They listen, they adapt, and they make sure we have what we need to keep growing. Mittohnee and Labs4 are helping us build strong Indigenous businesses in a way that feels respectful, empowering, and truly rooted in community.”

According to Nasil Nam, Labs4’s National Director, the organization’s future will be defined by this blend of technological adoption, collaboration, and inclusion.

“Everything we’ve built over the past year has laid the foundation for what comes next,” said Nam. “With national systems and partnerships now in place, Labs4 is entering a phase defined by scale, collaboration, and measurable impact. Today, we’ve moved from that start-up phase into full national delivery. We’re no longer testing the idea — we’re living it. Our goal is simple: to make Canada the best place in the world to turn research into real-world solutions.”

Learn more about Labs4 programs, including the Winter 2026 TRL cohort and MtL pilot, at labs4.ca.

Labs4 acknowledges the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through its Lab-to-Market program funding.

Canada’s innovation ecosystem is powered by collaboration and depends on strong partnerships between industry, academia and government to develop the new products and processes that drive economic growth and prosperity for all. RRC Polytech is committed to working with local businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities on applied research projects that drive innovation – and its vast array of technology, facilities and expertise would not be possible without layers of support provided through government funding.  

Funding announcements for specific projects and new infrastructure often garner headlines given their exciting goals and tangible results, but additional, behind-the-scenes support, while often less publicized, is just as critical to successful collaborations.        

The Research Support Fund (RSF) is a vital federal investment that sustains RRC Polytech’s ability to deliver high-quality applied research in partnership with industry and community stakeholders. By offsetting institutional costs, the RSF enables the Polytech to maintain the expertise, infrastructure, and administrative support needed to advance innovation in Manitoba and beyond.

Dipo Olatunde’s position of Research Coordinator (RC) is partially supported through the program, and his work has tremendous impact on RRC Polytech’s ability to secure new projects by helping other faculty members like Bin Yang pursue research opportunities.

“Without the support of a research coordinator, my grant application last month would have never been completed, giving it zero chance of approval,” said Yang, who leads sustainable transportation research projects at RRC Polytech’s Vehicle Technology and Energy Centre. “An exciting STEM opportunity for local students would have been lost because it would have been impossible for me to navigate such a complex proposal process on a tight deadline on my own.”

Given his busy schedule and a rigid high school calendar of events to work within, Yang faced a short window to prepare a competitive application for a NSERC PromoScience grant. This national program aims to ignite the interest of Canada’s young people, particularly those from underrepresented groups, in pursuing careers in the natural sciences and engineering. Yang’s project involved exploring clean energy with a 3D-printed, remote-controlled car powered by a hydrogen fuel cell.

To ensure the proposal was both complete and compelling, Olatunde brought together a pre-award team and stepped in to guide the process from start to finish. They carefully reviewed the draft proposal, restructuring sections to match the granting agency’s required template. They worked closely with the faculty members to refine the budget justification, ensuring every cost was accurate, well-documented, and defensible.

Recognizing the importance of institutional commitment, they also secured a timely endorsement from the Executive Director of Research Partnerships & Innovation, to resonate with the selection committee.

“RRC Polytech is proud to champion a program that inspires the next generation of scientists and engineers. This initiative will strengthen applied research, meet the innovation needs of Manitoba’s manufacturing and transportation sectors, and expand STEM outreach to high schools across the province,” said Dr. Jolen Galaugher, in her official support letter. “It will also provide valuable experiential learning opportunities for post-secondary students, integrating them into research and development activities while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.”

Balancing these tasks under a compressed timeline requires close attention to detail and frequent communication with the faculty lead. Thanks to Dipo’s coordinated effort, the complete application package was finalized and successfully submitted before the September 15 deadline.

“My role helps to ensure efficiency and accuracy in all aspects of the execution of RRC Polytech’s applied research projects – from stakeholder engagement and resource management to preparing technical reports and ensuring compliance with institutional and funding guidelines,” said Olatunde. “We are so proud to conduct ground-breaking research projects in our world-class facilities and grateful for all streams of federal funding that provide the best equipment and administrative support available to make innovation possible.”

This experience demonstrates how RSF-supported research coordination directly strengthens applied research at RRC Polytech. By helping faculty navigate complex funding requirements and ensuring proposals meet the highest standards, the RSF increases RRC Polytech’s competitiveness for national grants and creates more opportunities for students, partners, and the community.