ICUBE’s 2024 Ideation Lab Program – In Partnership with Nobellum

At ICUBE UTM, our goal is to offer a plethora of resources, programs, workshops and mentorship for people who are changing the world. One of our wonderful programs is the Ideation Lab, a semester and cohort based offering aimed at helping students, alumni, and Peel residents in the ideation phase of starting their business. Whether you have been building an invention, dreaming of starting a non-profit, or see a nagging problem that you know you could fix – this program will help you make it happen. 

We have run the Ideation Lab for two years now, and are currently going into our third. However, this offering is unique. Firstly, it is operating mostly virtually, except for during the summer when we will be integrating some international visitors into the program. This summer, as part of the African Impact Challenge, our international participants are founders in healthcare from Africa!

Further, this Fall, we will be partnering with Nobellum, an organization focused on supporting Black founders in STEM innovation. Their focus is on “strengthening the Black business ecosystem” (read more about Nobellum here). This partnership will entail us integrating Nobellum’s Black founders in STEM into our virtual offering in the Fall, as well as providing them with coaches. Due to this exciting partnership, the accepted cohort for the Fall term is usually a bit larger, and offers more opportunities for networking with fellow founders.

The Ideation Lab promises to be an exciting and challenging experience, complete with a culminating competition at the end of each semester to provide members an opportunity to practice their pitches and win prize money! The application period for the Fall offering will open on July 22nd and close on September 13th.

Ideation Lab W'26 Schedule

Date
Time
Topic
Saturday, Jan 24
9:30am to 4:30pm
(in-person bootcamp)
Welcome + Orientation, 15 Traits of an Entrepreneur, Human-Centered Design, Market Research
Wednesday, Jan 28
5:30pm to 7:30pm
(in-person)
De-Mystifying Early-Stage Financing For Researchers: VC vs Angels
Wednesday, Feb 04
5:30pm to 7:30pm
(virtual)
Legal Session (Ask Me Anything with SLC Law)
Wednesday, Feb 11
5:30pm to 7:30pm
(virtual)
Branding Workshop
Wednesday, Feb 18
Break
Wednesday, Feb 25
5:30pm to 7:30pm
(virtual)
Grants, Loans, and Subsidies 
Wednesday, Mar 04
5:30pm to 7:30pm
(in-person)
Pitch with a Twist
Wednesday, Mar 11
5:30pm to 7:30pm
(virtual)
Sales Workshop
Wednesday, Mar 18
5:30pm to 7:30pm
(virtual)
Accounting Ask Me Anything
Wednesday, Apr 01
5:30pm to 7:30pm
(virtual)
Storytelling & How to Pitch

Indigenous business training program created by RedBird Circle Inc. in partnership with UofT Libraries, ICUBE UTM and The Bridge at UTSC

An experiential learning program that follows the school 3 semesters schedule, for anyone with a great idea who wants to make it happen.

A boutique-style remote program to support your business development and help you grow through one-on-one support. This program is open all year.

A student-led creative studio with intends to serve the prototyping and design needs of our ventures and small businesses in our community.

This 2-day retreat is designed to help you reflect on your journey, what drives you, all the hats you wear and what is next for you and your social enterprise.