WORLDiscoveries Newsletter - December Edition
WORLDiscoveries
Driving the impact of Western University’s research by fostering connections between research, industry, and communities
Season's Greetings, Innovators and Partners,
As we wrap up the year and enter the festive season, let's reflect on the achievements of the past months and look forward to new beginnings. 2023 has been a landmark year for WORLDiscoveries, filled with innovation, collaboration, and growth. In this edition, we celebrate our collective accomplishments and set our sights on what 2024 has in store.
Let's dive in and explore technologies ripe for licensing, partnerships that could redefine your business, and collaborative research initiatives that could set you on the path to discovery. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking for your next big idea, a company seeking a competitive edge, or a researcher aiming to make a societal impact, we've got something for you. Dive in, and let's create the future together.
Celebrating Success: Graduate Students Innovation Scholars Program Fall Term Conclusion
As the leaves turned and the fall term ended, we witnessed the culmination of an extraordinary journey for our graduate students' innovation scholars. This term has been nothing short of a thrilling intellectual adventure, with our scholars immersing themselves in the intricate world of intellectual property, market research, and the art of commercialization.
The program's grand finale was a testament to our scholars' hard work and creativity. In a showcase of innovation and strategic thinking, teams presented their final pitches to a panel of their peers and a group of astute judges. These presentations displayed academic prowess and demonstrated real-world business acumen, featuring innovative ideas backed by robust business plans.
We congratulate each scholar for their unwavering dedication and hard work throughout the term. Their achievements reflect their commitment to excellence and are harbingers of future successes in their respective fields.
WE-Empower! Program: November Highlights
The WE-Empower! program, a key initiative of WORLDiscoveries, continues to offer invaluable support and inspiration to self-identifying women in entrepreneurship, research commercialization, and intellectual property protection. November was another enriching month, filled with sessions to empower participants with knowledge and skills. Here's a look at the dynamic sessions that took place:
November 9: EDID in Research and Business Formation: Inclusive Growth
The month started with an insightful session led by Alexandra Levine, PhD , the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (EDID) Research Officer. This session focused on integrating EDID principles in research and business formation, emphasizing fostering an inclusive and diverse professional environment. Levine's expertise gave participants a deeper understanding of incorporating these values into their entrepreneurial ventures.
November 16: How to Communicate Science in a Business Environment: Approaching Industry and the Art of Networking
Mid-month, Andrew Leest , Manager of Venture Growth at TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario , and Martin Smith , Start-Up Advisor at TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario , hosted a session on the nuances of communicating scientific ideas in business contexts. This session offered practical advice on approaching industry professionals and honing networking skills, which are essential for entrepreneurs bridging the gap between scientific innovation and business application.
November 23: What's Next? The Future and What That Looks Like For YOU!
The month concluded with a forward-thinking session by Laurel Steinfield , Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at 加拿大西安大略大学 - 毅伟商学院 . Steinfield, who previously served as Associate Professor of Marketing at Bentley University , guided participants through envisioning their future in entrepreneurship. This session explored various career pathways and opportunities, inspiring participants to consider their next steps in the entrepreneurial world.
Intellectual Property Strategy Boot Camp (IPSBC) - November Sessions Overview
The IPSBC at Western University had an eventful November, hosting a series of enlightening sessions led by industry experts. Here's a brief overview:
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November 9: Patents, Utility Models, and Industrial Designs
Ryan T. Evans and Patrick Roszell from Smart & Biggar covered the essentials of patents, utility models, and industrial designs, providing key insights into protecting technological innovations.
Trademarks, Copyrights, Related Rights, and Trade Secrets: Anil Bhole and Alessia Monastero from Bhole IP Law delved into the world of trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, offering strategies for safeguarding intellectual property.
November 16: Why and How to Develop an IP Strategy
Paul Banwatt and Robyn MacDougall, MSc , discussed the importance of developing a robust IP strategy and the practical steps involved in its formulation.
November 23: IP Management: IP Commercialization, Technology Transfer and Licensing
Brian Chau , Jean Lee , Julia Won , and John Varriano from Norton Rose Fulbright explored the nuances of IP management, focusing on commercialization, technology transfer, and licensing.
November 30: IP Protection for Software-Based Innovation
Natalie Raffoul from BRION RAFFOUL LLP and Co-Founder at Fortress IAM provided expert guidance on protecting software-based innovations, a crucial area in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
November concludes the IPSBC program, marking the end of an insightful series that equipped participants with comprehensive IP management and strategy knowledge and showcased their dedication and enthusiasm. Congratulations to all the participants for their active engagement and successful program completion. Your commitment to learning and applying these valuable skills is commendable and sets a strong foundation for your future endeavours in intellectual property.
The Proteus Innovation Competition is a unique opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators. This four-month challenge invites participants to develop a commercialization strategy for one of five technologies from leading Ontario universities, including 加拿大西安大略大学 , 加拿大麦克马斯特大学 , the University of Windsor , the 加拿大滑铁卢大学 , and Wilfrid Laurier University .
Why Enter?
Abstract Submission: Your First Step
Your abstract is crucial in setting the stage for you to participate. It should:
Get Involved
This competition is an excellent platform for those looking to make an impact in technology commercialization. Take your chance to be part of this exciting challenge!
Reflecting on the CLEANTECH Conference
We congratulate everyone involved in the successful inaugural CLEANTECH Conference at Western University—special thanks to our speakers and panellists who provided invaluable insights into cleantech and sustainability.
WORLDiscoveries was honoured to join this landmark event, bringing together esteemed companies and thought leaders in cleantech and sustainability. Kudos to everyone involved, especially to our own?Rebecca Gould?and?Tristan Harrison, for their outstanding representation of our team.
Catch the event's highlights on CTV London News. ??
Join Our Team in 2024
As we expand our initiatives, we seek passionate individuals to join our team. Explore technology transfer, business development, and research commercialization opportunities on our Careers and Opportunities page.
A Year of Gratitude and Looking Ahead
We express our heartfelt thanks to our community of innovators, partners, and supporters. Your dedication and creativity have been the driving force behind our success. Please stay connected with us on LinkedIn; we look forward to an exciting 2024!