This Jump Start Workshop will feature panel speakers from Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) to discuss how researchers can connect with industry partners and gather the funding needed for collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialization opportunities. During this session, speakers will introduce the various programs OCI that researchers can join such as Collaborate 2 Commercialize and the Life Sciences Innovation Fund to expand their network.
The PRiME Jump Start workshop series provides a comprehensive look into the essential steps involved in the development of pre-clinical drugs, devices, and platform technologies. The goal of PRiME's Jump Start series is to ensure investigators and trainees are equipped with knowledge and skills for each step of the biotechnology development process, with the aim of facilitating the transition of academic researchers from all career stages to entrepreneurship. In the series we engage with experts to discuss important considerations to ensure success at each step of the development process, and increase collaboration between academia, government, and industry partners.
Panelists
Feiran Zhou
Business Development and Commercialization Manager
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Feiran Zhou is the Business Development and Commercialization Manager with the Ontario Centre of Innovation. She joined the organization in 2018 and has been based in both Eastern Ontario region and GTA region. She has over 10 years of experience in the Ontario Innovation ecosystem, supported companies across various sectors on commercialization, industry/academic collaborations, and emerging technologies adoption. Feiran is also on the selection committee with Capital Angel Network to identify and assess potential technology startups for investment opportunities
Mandeep Rehal, MBA, B.E
Business Development and Commercialization Manager
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Mandeep Rehal is the Business Development and Commercialization Manager with the Ontario Centre of Innovation. He holds a Master of Business Administration from HEC Montreal (Quebec) and a Bachelor of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering from College of Engineering Guindy (India). Prior to joining OCI, Mandeep was working with innovation labs at HEC Montreal – the ERPsim Lab and the Creative Destruction Lab-Montreal where he led business development and academic outreach.