UCeed
A group of early-stage investment funds, backed by philanthropic support, accelerating UCalgary and community-based startup companies to advance problem-solving research, create jobs and fuel the economy.
UCeed Momentum Update
Read about UCeed's first year of investment impact and hear from some key stakeholders on how UCeed is shaping the future of our economy.
What is UCeed?
UCalgary has developed an innovation ecosystem that supports the translation of lab-based research to real-world impact. UCeed is the culmination of UCalgary’s focus on entrepreneurial thinking, invention and innovation, education and community impact.
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 for technology and company development. By providing access to much-needed capital, UCeed advances technologies and helps translate research to economical and societal benefit.
UCeed investment model
UCeed uses a milestone investment model to provide early-stage capital, commercialization expertise, mentorship and networking, education and programming to become investor ready, and reinvests any returns into the innovation ecosystem as part of an evergreen funding model.
Mentoring young companies
UCeed’s mandate is to create investor-ready companies that are attractive to further investment opportunities.
UCalgary's Innovation Ecosystem links discovery, creativity, invention and entrepreneurship to solve local, nation and global challenges. Learn more
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 to launch their business. 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 support startups through the funding gap.
UCeed supports critical technology research, development, and demonstration — carrying young companies across the gap between institutional funding and commercial investment.
The foundational pillars of UCeed
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 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.
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.
Health Fund
Focused on advancing health care innovation across the field, including areas like therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices and software.
Social Impact Fund
A unique partnership in social finance supporting an ecosystem of organizations focused on addressing social issues in our communities.
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.