Transform your research to an investor-ready venture
Workshops, collaboration, and funding preparation for doctoral (PhD) students translating deep-tech discoveries into real companies.
Application deadline: September 25, 2025.
This program is offered to admitted doctoral (PhD) students with program funding generously sponsored by the Esch Foundation. Esch pre-seed opportunities are also available to Engineering and Science PhD students with inventions in deep-tech; amounts and timing vary by year.
Why Waterloo?
Built for emerging entrepreneurs. You’ll learn to translate frontier research into a scalable venture inside Canada’s most founder-dense university ecosystem.
You own what you invent (Policy 73). That's leverage for pilots, licensing, and investment.
Incubator, founder coaching, and pre-seed pipeline tuned for research commercialization.
Mentors, labs, funders, and partners within walking distance - so your first "yes" comes faster.
Experienced professionals to guide protection, licensing and go-to-market pathways.
What is deep-tech?
Innovations that are grounded in substantial scientific or engineering advancements and often require long development timelines and significant R&D before commercialization.
What you'll learn and leave with
- Problem-solution fit: Develop a clear, testable articulation of how your research addresses a real-world challenge. Define the limitations of existing methods or technologies and describe the specific improvement your work offers (e.g., safer, more cost-effective, or more precise). Estimate the scale of the problem, communicate your technology readiness level (from lab validation to real-world application), and identify the key assumptions that must hold true for your solution to succeed.
- Risk and validation plan: Identify the biggest uncertainties in bringing your research beyond the lab. These may include scientific performance, safety requirements, user adoption, or the challenges of scaling production. Outline how you will test, validate, or address these unknowns to strengthen the path from research to real-world impact.
- Pathways to impact: Explore the different ways your research can reach users and create value. Options may include launching a new venture, licensing your technology, or partnering with established organizations. Consider who your first adopters might be, how you can demonstrate early proof of value, and the basic resources required. You’ll also learn about potential funding avenues — from grants to early-stage investment — without needing to commit to a specific path.
- Research Storytelling: Create a concise, approachable summary of your work that invites feedback. This could include a one-page overview and a short presentation that explains the problem you are addressing, your proposed solution, early evidence, and the next steps. Begin organizing your supporting materials so that your progress and future plans are easy to follow.
Fall term
Foundations and Workshops: Participants will explore the fundamentals of commercialization, market discovery, intellectual property, business models, and what it takes to become investor-ready.
Two intensive weekends:
- October 24th-25th
- November 21st-22nd
Winter term
Building and Collaborating: Work closely with mentors to strengthen your research pathway and explore real-world applications. This includes guidance on technical and regulatory requirements, documenting evidence of progress, and testing ideas in practice. You’ll also collaborate with Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) students to better understand potential users, explore commercialization strategies, and consider different ways your research could move toward real-world use.
Spring term
Go-to-Market and Funding Preparation:Prepare to present your research in a compelling way to external audiences. You’ll refine your milestones and progress story, develop materials that can support grant applications or future funding opportunities, and receive feedback from an external review panel. The term concludes with a live pitch, giving you the chance to share your work and next steps with a broader community.
Completion of Program
Celebrate your achievements with a final presentation to external reviewers and receive your Certificate of Completion.
Who should apply?
Open to all doctoral (PhD) students at the University of Waterloo working in the deep-tech space. Ideal applicants have a lab-validated insight or prototype, curiosity about real users, and openness to explore different commercialization pathways. We welcome women and other underrepresented researchers in STEM.
Note: Esch pre-seed opportunities are restricted to Engineering and Science PhD students.
September 25, 2025
September 29 - October 3, 2025
October 2 - 10, 2025
Application process
- Short online form and CV
- Eligibility and fit review
- Interview and supervisor acknowledgement
- Decision and onboarding
In addition to programming, Engineering and Science PhD students are eligible for funding opportunities.
Only Engineering and Science PhD students are eligible. Amounts, timing, and selection vary by year and are not guaranteed.
The program itself is open to doctoral (PhD) students from all faculties across the University of Waterloo.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a company now?
No. This program helps you decide if and how to spin out — or whether a partner/license route fits best.
Is it for-credit?
This program is not for credit, though participants will receive a certificate of completion. Optional for-credit entrepreneurship courses may be available through the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business; standard tuition and university fees apply.
Do you take equity?
No equity is taken by the ARC Program.
What is the time commitment?
