Innovation Masterminds Alberta FAQ’S
About Innovation Masterminds Alberta
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Innovation Masterminds Alberta, formerly known as imYEG, was a program designed to facilitate the launch of successful post-secondary institution-driven and inventor-led innovations.
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Create a culture of innovation with a focus on translational and implementable applications;
Increase the volume and quality of innovation leaving postsecondary institutions;
Build a strong and diverse innovation eco-system within the participating postsecondary institutions;
Increase commercial returns stemming from participating postsecondary institution innovations;
Create new, highly qualified personnel (HQP) jobs for graduates of participating postsecondary institution innovation, and Alberta at large;
Increase the relevance and reputation of the participating postsecondary institution innovation within the public and private sector and with government.
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The innovators were given direct access to highly experienced mentors (Council of Founders) to guide the innovators through the commercialization process. Those mentors provided advise in regard to business, intellectual property strategy, financing, regulatory, and other areas that a typical innovation requires for a successful launch.
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Innovation Masterminds was designed by Brass Dome Ventures Inc. in collaboration with the University of Alberta. It was operated and run by Brass Dome Ventures Ltd.
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Innovation Masterminds Alberta was not an accelerator program. It was an industry-led early industry foundry, focusing on advancing academic and research-based innovations. Through the Council of Founders, which was composed of industry leaders with proven track records of success, the program provided experience-based mentorship, support, and links to other resources.
Eligibility & Enrollment
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It was a free service to innovators from participating postsecondary institutions.
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Our program was open to innovations either discovered at or being worked on at participating post-secondary institutions. Innovations were assessed for fit to ensure that they benefited from enrolling into the program.
To be eligible for the program, your innovation needed to meet all of the following criteria:
Include at least one Innovator who is currently associated to a participating post secondary institution in one of the following capacities:
Faculty (Professors, Instructors, etc.)
Post-doctoral fellow
Graduate student
Undergraduate student
Be created as a direct result of a discovery made at the participating post secondary institution.
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The imYEG Program is currently accepting Innovations from the following institutions:
University of Alberta
University of Lethbridge
University of Calgary
All Post-Secondary Institutions in Alberta
Although, the program is shut down if you have questions or information regarding partnering with us from other postsecondary institution, please contact us at info@imyeg.com.
The Program
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The Council of Founders (CoF) was a highly prestigious group of key opinion leaders from a diverse range of industries, who mentored innovators. By setting strict criteria and ensuring the right cultural fit, these mentors enabled the program to be the place where ideas meet experience.
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Innovations were accepted year-round. The goal of the program was for innovations to show marked commercialization advancement over the course of their involvement with Innovation Masterminds Alberta. If an innovator wished to exit the program, a one-month notice prior to the upcoming session needed to be provided to allow the team to prepare for the exit presentation.
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With over 25 successful graduates within the program, Innovation Masterminds Alberta made all the difference in shaping the innovation within Alberta. See the graduates page for more information.
