Transform your research to an investor-ready venture
The Academy of Research and Commercialization (ARC) program offers workshops, collaboration and funding preparation for PhD students seeking to transform deep-tech research into for-profit ventures.
Your research creates value. Learn how to capture it.
Innovations grounded in substantial scientific or engineering advances often require long development timelines, strong IP strategies, and thoughtful commercialization planning. ARC supports doctoral researchers in exploring multiple pathways to impact, from licensing and partnerships to venture creation.
World-class knowledge. Conveniently structured. Expertly delivered.
ARC is delivered by the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, in collaboration with Velocity, WatCo (Waterloo Commercialization Office) and ecosystem partners. Together, these partners provide the academic grounding, commercialization expertise, IP guidance, and venture support needed to translate deep-tech research into practice.
The program is generously funded by ESCH Foundation; participants are required to pay neither tuition nor other fees.
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.
A world-class experience for a world-changing venture
You will leave ARC with a matchless compendium of knowledge, skills, tools and connections with which to launch and grow your commercial venture successfully.
- 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.
Program strutcure
The Academy of Research and Commercialization (ARC) program is structured into three progressive phases: Foundation, Formation, and Fruition. These are designed to guide participants from understanding commercialization fundamentals to launching and pitching a validated venture.
Foundation
Participants will build a strong grounding in commercialization and venture creation. This phase introduces core concepts including market discovery, intellectual property, business models, and investor readiness.
You will explore problem spaces and assess commercialization potential in collaboration with the Waterloo Commercialization Office (WatCo).
Format:
- Two three-hour seminars
- Two one-hour workshops
Date: March 2026
Formation
Participants will learn how to develop a lean and effective venture. This phase focuses on drafting, validating, and testing business hypotheses and commercialization strategies.
You will collaborate with Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) student strategy teams and industry partners to develop a robust business case.
Format:
- Two three-hour seminars
- One one-hour workshop
Date: April 2026
Fruition
Participants will refine their venture narrative and strengthen presentation and pitching skills. This phase emphasizes communicating value propositions to potential partners, customers, and investors, and connecting with the broader innovation ecosystem.
You will engage directly with prospective commercial partners.
Format:
- Two three-hour seminars
- One one-hour workshop
- One partner pitch day
Date: May 2026
Completion of the program
Complete the program. Celebrate your wins.
Celebrate your achievements with a final pitch to industry experts, ecosystem partners and investors.
Successful participants will receive an ARC Certificate of Completion and earn an opportunity to be awarded up to $10,000 in pre-seed investment funding.
Who should apply?
ARC invites all deep-tech PhD students to apply.
This program is open to all admitted 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.
Program funding is generously sponsored by the Esch Foundation; there are no additional costs to participating students.
Note: Additional Esch pre-seed opportunities are available for Engineering and Science PhD students with inventions in deep-tech. Amounts and timing vary by year.
Application process
Apply to ARC by February 1, 2026. The application process consists of four parts;
- Online form and CV (below)
- Eligibility and fit review
- Interview and supervisor acknowledgement
- Decision and onboarding
Frequently asked questions
1. Do I need to form a corporation before I apply?
No. In fact, you may not need to form one at all. This program helps you decide how to commercialize your research — whether to form your own company, find a partner, license your IP, or choose another option.
2. Is this a for-credit program?
No, the ARC program is not for credit. Successful participants will receive an official certificate of completion. Optional for-credit entrepreneurship courses may be available through the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business (standard tuition rate and University fees apply).
3. Does the university take equity in my venture?
No, neither the university nor the ARC program take any equity in your IP or venture.
4. What is the time commitment required of me?
The full program requires 24 to 30 hours of your time for scheduled seminars, workshops, and other events. Outside these events, you may elect to spend as little or as much time as you wish to apply lessons learned.
