VENTURE FOUNDATIONS

Advanced Manufacturing

Build the commercial foundation to move your physical technology from concept toward commercialization.

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In Partnership with

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Venture Foundations: Advanced Manufacturing is an in-person program designed for early-stage founders building physical technology products.

Physical products play by different rules, with slower prototyping cycles, complex manufacturing decisions, and funding needs that software-first programs do not always address. This program is built specifically to help hardtech founders navigate those challenges and move toward commercialization.

No funding or advanced commercialization required, this program is built for founders just starting out.

Program at a Glance

Cohort

8 companies

Format

5 applied workshops

Timing

8 weeks, beginning October 15, 2026

Location

Platform Calgary, SAIT, and Life Sciences Innovation Hub

What makes the program different

Small cohort

Eight companies means more interaction, feedback, and peer learning.

Practical outputs

Every workshop is designed around something you can apply immediately to your venture.

Operator access

Program content is informed by experienced hardtech founders and operators who have navigated commercialization.

Ecosystem pathways

You will build connections to commercialization, funding, IP, prototyping, and founder support resources.

Partners

Access to partners including Platform, SAIT, Life Science Innovation Hub, ElevateIP and Uceed.

Ready to move your technology forward?

Applications are open until September 23, 2026, with rolling admission. A maximum of eight companies will be selected.

Apply Now

Workshop Schedule

October 15, 2026, 1:00 - 4:00pm | Business Model Canvas

A clearer business model and the assumptions you need to test.

October 29, 2026, 1:00 - 4:00pm | Customer Discovery

A defined ICP and a practical customer interview plan.

November 12, 2026 , 1:00 - 4:00pm | Prototyping, Manufacturing

Connections with prototype and manufacturing spaces and resources.

November 26, 2026, 1:00 - 4:00pm* | Intellectual Property

An initial IP and commercialization review. This session may take place on December 3, 2026.

December 10, 2026, 1:00 - 4:00pm | Funding Readiness & Growth Strategy

A funding overview of grants, loans, and investment.

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Who should apply

  • Building a company in hardware, robotics, advanced manufacturing, or a related physical technology
  • Early-stage venture (approximately TRL 1–3)
  • Strong technical, research, industry, or domain expertise, looking to strengthen the commercial side
  • Ready to test assumptions with customers and clarify your commercialization path
  • Based in the Calgary region and able to actively participate in a small, hands-on cohort

What you will leave with

  • A stronger understanding of your customer, business model, and commercialization path
  • A structured plan for customer discovery and product validation
  • Clearer decisions on prototyping, technical readiness, IP, and manufacturing
  • A funding roadmap and defined next steps
  • Meaningful relationships with founders, operators, and Calgary ecosystem organizations
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Interested in applying?

Applications are open until September 23, 2026, with rolling admission. A maximum of eight companies will be selected.

Apply Now