This 8-week program has been designed to support applicants in preparing their pitch for the Advance 2 Market fund. While focused primarily on pre-selected candidates for the fund, the program is open to all Western researchers and graduate students who are interested in exploring the commercial potential of their research.

Commercial IQ is an in-person and on-campus experience. The weekly sessions will alternate between seminars and 1:1 mentorship meetings. All seminars will take place in the Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

Program Outline

• February 24 – Exploring the Problem
• March 10 – Understanding the Customer and Validation   
• Mar 24 – Business Model Canvas 
• April 7th – How to Pitch Deliverables

Mentorships meetings will be held on alternate weeks to review the deliverables from the seminars.

Applying to Commercial IQ

Space is limited preference will be given researchers who have been selected for Advance 2 Market. All other spots will be awarded based on suitability of the program to the project being described. There is no requirement to disclose the technology to the Western Technology Transfer Office to participate in the training. All applications will be treated as confidential.

Applications are due January 17, 2026; successful applicants will be notified by February 4, 2026 for the February 24 start date.

Application Form

The Ideal Candidate

• Graduate student, postdoctoral scholar, or member of the Western University faculty 
• Has research or an idea that they are looking to grow

Contact Us

To learn more about Commercial IQ, please email Rebecca Gould, Program Specialist.