UCeed

UCeed

Early-stage investment funds, backed by philanthropic support, accelerating early-stage startup companies to advance problem-solving research, create jobs and fuel the economy.

What is UCeed?

Funded entirely through philanthropic support and activated by Innovate Calgary, UCalgary's knowledge transfer and business incubator, UCeed funds, trains, mentors, and supports startup companies during the critical transitional stage between innovation demonstration and commercialization.

Bridging research to business

UCeed bridges the gap between research grants and commercialization funding and accelerates the translation of research to economical and societal benefit.

UCeed investment model

All returns are reinvested into the innovation ecosystem as part of an evergreen funding model.

Mentoring young companies

UCeed provides commercialization expertise, mentorship, networking, education and programming to help startups become investor ready and attract further investment.

Shaping the Future with UCeed

UCeed Funds

UCeed's early-stage funds are creating jobs and diversifying Alberta's economy. Qualifying ventures can receive investment ranging from $50,000 to $300,000 depending on the ventures stage of development.

Haskayne Student Fund

A private equity fund managed by and for students, with oversight and coaching from Innovate Calgary and Creative Destruction Lab – Rockies. 

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Child Health Fund

Canada's first early-stage fund for child and maternal health - a priority research area for UCalgary and key to creative positive health impacts for children and families.

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Health Fund

Focused on advancing health care innovation across the field, including areas like therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices and software.

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Social Impact Fund

A unique partnership in social finance supporting an ecosystem of organizations focused on addressing social issues in our communities.

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UCeed Energy Fund

Supporting Canadian-led innovations to strengthen the energy landscape.

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UCeed Momentum Update 2022

UCeed Momentum Update

Read about how UCeed continues to bridge innovation and commercialization along with the impact that portfolio companies have made in the past year. 

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The challenge facing entrepreneurs

Raising capital is a daunting challenge for new startups and founders often seek government grants or investments from friends and family as their first source of funding. Once those sources are exhausted, entrepreneurs often run out of options before the private sector can see the opportunity's value. 

UCeed was created to fill that funding gap by supporting technology research, development and demonstration.

UCeed Funding

The foundational pillars of UCeed

UCalgary's innovation ecosystem supports the translation of research to real-world impact by linking discovery, creativity, invention and entrepreneurship to solve local, national and global challenges. UCeed is the culmination of UCalgary’s focus on entrepreneurial thinking, invention and innovation, education and community impact. 

Innovation

Accelerating innovation from within UCalgary and its surrounding communities.

Entrepreneurship

Enriching the quality and breadth of learning through real-world opportunities for entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking.

Community

Integrating UCalgary with communities on-and-off campus through entrepreneurship and innovation.


UCeed news


UCeed Social Impact Fund backs Monark, a company democratizing access to leadership development

Innovative internship programs allow startup to hire Haskayne Master of Management student...

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This International Women's Day we spotlight important players in the startup community

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video

Now Innovating: How research and partnerships led to development of unique carbon capture technology licensed for industrial use

Watch


Invest

UCeed is funded entirely through philanthropic support from partners who believe innovation will define our future. 

Apply

Applications for UCeed funding are open at various times throughout the year. Qualifying criteria is specific to the fund.