Abstract:
The need to translate Canadian research into societal impact has never been greater. However, mobilization of science-based innovations requires overcoming specific challenges, including innovation capacity in people. Canada understands the need to provide entrepreneurial programming for scientists, but most existing training focuses narrowly on startup creation. Research shows many critical decisions are made pre-startup, that startups are one of several paths and that there many necessary roles beyond founder. This panel explores the impact the national Mitacs invention to Innovation (i2I) program across these different pathways in order to inform policy and support a broader view of training needs.

Summary of Conversations

The panel explored fostering entrepreneurial capabilities among youth, especially in research. It highlighted the need to support researchers in translating their work to industry or ventures, addressing the “Valley of never having lived” where many research students struggle to find non-academic paths. Discussions emphasized the importance of programs that provide entrepreneurial training without removing researchers from their labs, and the necessity of a culture shift to value diverse career paths. Role models and success stories are crucial, as are collaborative ecosystems and mentorship. The panel also touched upon the need to modernize university reward systems to recognize holistic contributions beyond publications and student numbers.

Take Away Messages/ Current Status of Challenges

• Academic environments often prioritize traditional research paths, creating barriers for those interested in industry or entrepreneurship.
• A cultural perception exists where industry is viewed negatively compared to academia, hindering research mobilization.
• Researchers often lack awareness of their intellectual property rights and opportunities for commercialization.
• Universities’ reward systems predominantly focus on publications and student numbers, neglecting entrepreneurial impact.
• Access to entrepreneurship training and resources is not uniformly available, relying heavily on individual initiative.
• Ecosystems, while supportive, sometimes struggle to bridge the gap between research and industry effectively.
• There is a need for increased industry engagement in research from the initial stages to facilitate translation and relevance.
• Leveling the playing field and providing more equitable access to entrepreneurial opportunities remain critical challenges.

Recommendations/Next Steps

• Incentivize and reward faculty and institutions for supporting students pursuing industry and entrepreneurial paths.
• Integrate entrepreneurship training and mentorship into graduate programs to provide a broader range of career options.
• Promote experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, to expose students to industry environments.
• Develop programs that connect researchers with industry experts and investors to facilitate commercialization.
• Modernize research assessment metrics to recognize and reward impact beyond traditional academic outputs.
• Encourage universities to adopt policies that support student entrepreneurs, such as flexible academic schedules.
• Foster a cultural shift that values all three career paths equally : the industry, the academic, and the startup.
• Increase efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship programs to ensure equitable access and opportunity for all students.