Innovation Saskatchewan Partners with Opus to Support Startup Development with $210,000 Investment
Innovation Saskatchewan has recently announced a new partnership with Opus, the University of Saskatchewan’s startup incubator, with a generous investment of $210,000 over three years to support the organization’s pre-accelerator programming. This funding will be instrumental in driving startup development and supporting various Opus programming streams that target different timelines in the entrepreneurship lifecycle.
Opus offers a range of programs to support aspiring entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey. Idea2Explore (i2Explore) provides year-round opportunities for anyone at USask to explore entrepreneurship, while Innovate2Build (i2Build) runs annually over 10 months and includes workshops and mentor meetings for successful program applicants. Impact2Market (i2Market) offers long-term mentorships for i2Build graduates to help them meet business growth milestones. Additionally, the Opus Student Ambassador Program equips students with business acumen and an entrepreneurial mindset through engaging campus activities.
The focus of Opus pre-accelerator programming is on commercializing deep tech innovations that are research-based, providing founders with the necessary skills for startup development and facilitating their progression to other accelerators and incubators like Co.Labs and Cultivator. In its pilot year, Opus supported over 12 startups and engaged with over 88 stakeholders from the community, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem service providers.
Innovation Saskatchewan is the central innovation agency for the Government of Saskatchewan, dedicated to empowering innovators and supporting the province’s vibrant technology sector and research community. Their partnership with Opus is a testament to their commitment to propelling Saskatchewan towards a prosperous future through groundbreaking advancements and technological growth.
Opus, as part of the University of Saskatchewan’s efforts to foster entrepreneurial thinking and culture, provides the necessary training, infrastructure, and network of experts to mobilize USask innovations and help aspiring founders realize their potential. This partnership with Innovation Saskatchewan will undoubtedly further enhance Opus’s impact on the startup ecosystem in Saskatchewan.
To learn more about Innovation Saskatchewan and Opus, visit their websites at www.innovationsask.ca and www.opus.usask.ca. This collaboration between Innovation Saskatchewan and Opus is a significant step towards supporting startup development and driving innovation in Saskatchewan’s entrepreneurial landscape.