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Helping move Nova Scotia university, college and university-affiliated hospital research to market.

The Early Stage Commercialization Fund (ESCF) is now open for submissions. The deadline is Monday, February 10, 2025, at 5:00 pm AT.

If you’re a researcher engaged in information technology, life sciences, clean technology, ocean technology, or other technology development* with market potential, this opportunity is for you.

Up to $50,000 in funding is available per project.

Funds can be used to assess market potential, develop go-to-market strategies, perform strategic planning, create/update business plans, assist with intellectual property protection strategies, finish proof-of-concept development, build prototypes and leverage other funds.

The details of ESCF are outlined below and are also found in the ESCF Guidelines.

*Low Carbon Technology Stream: Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (NSDNRR) and Invest Nova Scotia are partnering to offer the Low Carbon Technology Stream of the Early Stage Commercialization Fund. The organizations are working together on the evaluation process and curriculum.

ESCF Purpose

ESCF helps move Nova Scotia university, college and university-affiliated hospital research to market. It assists the academic community in the pursuit of entrepreneurial opportunities.

The purpose of ESCF is to provide support for projects demonstrating readiness to advance a technology that has achieved, or is close to achieving, a prototype/proof-of-concept stage and is approaching market readiness with a possibility of attracting industry partners and/or investment. The prospect of generating a new revenue stream must also be apparent.

Invest Nova Scotia seeks to find and build technologies with the potential for venture capital investment. Although we welcome ESCF applicants who might consider licensing their technology, preference is given to projects with the potential for a spin-out company.

ESCF Objectives

  • Promote and accelerate technology transfer activities in Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions
  • Provide the opportunity to assess the commercial potential of intellectual property
  • Narrow the gap in support that exists at the beginning of the commercialization process
  • Enable projects to move closer to industry collaboration or a spin-out opportunity

Important Dates:

Call for submissions: Monday, December 9, 2024
Proposals due: Monday, February 10, 2025 
Shortlist notified: Monday, March 3, 2025
Shortlist reviewed and researchers meet with evaluation committee: Monday, March 10, 2025
Recipients notified: Friday, March 14, 2025

Eligibility

Nova Scotia university and college faculty members, as well as staff, clinicians and researchers in university-affiliated institutions, are eligible to apply.

Applications from graduate students and post-docs will be considered, provided a faculty member is a co-applicant. The lead applicant (or principal investigator) must be the faculty member who holds the research account.

Invest Nova Scotia portfolio companies and Accelerate program companies (past or present) are ineligible for this opportunity.

This funding is not intended to support research and development of new products for operating companies.  

Examples:  

  • Dr. Torres develops a new medical device and intends to start a new Company A to commercialize it. This project IS eligible.
  • Dr. Torres develops another medical device with the intention to commercialize through Company A. This project IS NOT eligible to receive ESCF funding
  • Dr. Torres develops another medical device with the intention to commercialize through a new Company B or a partner company that is arms length from Dr. Torres. This project IS eligible.
  • Dr. Torres develops another medical device with the intention to commercialize through, license or assign to a partner company that Dr. Torres holds a paid position or shares. This project IS NOT eligible.  

If Dr. Torres has already registered Company A or B (usually for the purposes of funding applications), the project may still be eligible for ESCF. For Phase 1 projects, the applicant must demonstrate that the project is still in the process of moving out of the university or institution and most efforts are on research and development. Intellectual property should not yet be assigned to the company however exceptions may apply. 

How to Apply

Invest Nova Scotia's Early Stage Commercialization Fund is open for winter round submissions. The deadline is Monday, February 10, 2025, at 5:00 pm AT.

Applicants are asked to use our Microsoft Word PROPOSAL FORM, complete the table and project description sections and sign the applicant authorization. SUBMIT IT ONLINE via our application portal. Applicants will need to sign up for a new account using the portal link. During the application process, applicants will be asked to attach the following documents: the completed proposal form (PDF), along with the CV(s) of the principal investigator(s) highlighting any previous experience in research commercialization. 

Details about what evaluators look for in a submission, and other information you should know, can be found in the ESCF Guidelines.

APPLY NOW