Media releases

• Brock business incubation program now accepting new applicants

  Tuesday, February 08, 2022 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 7 February 2022 – R0013

  The Brock LINC has opened applications for the next cohort of the University’s business incubation program, the LINCubator.

  After the successful launch of the LINCubator’s first cohort in November and the positive feedback received from incubator members and mentors, a second cohort has been added ahead of schedule.

  “We originally intended to run the program once per year,” says Cassie Price, Program Manager for the Brock LINC. “But with the feedback we’ve received and interest from entrepreneurs, we will be running two cohorts each year, one starting in May and the other in November.”

  The eight-month LINCubator program supports a small group of early-stage businesses as they work to reach their next stage of venture development. Businesses selected for the program will go through a series of educational workshops as well as one-on-one mentorship sessions, coaching sessions and opportunities to meet and network with different funders and startup support organizations such as Innovate Niagara, Haltech and the Niagara Angel Network.

  “There are dozens of facets of starting a business, and I believe having access to such a wide variety of expertise and opportunities that the LINCubator offers is invaluable to early-stage entrepreneurs,” says LINCubator mentor Sharon Reeds, Co-Founder/CEO of Intuitive Shipping. “A major struggle in the early stages is that you don’t know what you don’t know. Brock has done a fantastic job of gathering a diverse group of mentors with varying skill sets and providing access to learning opportunities.”

  Selected entrepreneurs will have access to resources at Brock, such as co-op services, research collaborations, support from Goodman School of Business students, and access to the Brock Makerspace and Digital Scholarship Lab.

  They’ll also have access to desk space, meeting rooms, business services and a collaborative community at the Brock LINC. There is no cost for businesses to participate and Brock LINC does not take equity or share in the intellectual property of participating businesses.

  The program is open to students, staff, faculty and anyone in the broader Niagara community. Startups from all industries are encouraged to apply. The current cohort includes tech businesses using artificial intelligence and facial recognition, product-based businesses and a social enterprise.

  “The LINCubator connected us with highly qualified mentors, coaches and exemplary training,” says LINCubator resident Vishal Badiani, CEO of Millo.ai. “In addition, our monthly touchpoints helped customize the type of help that was needed. The Brock LINC team is always willing to connect with you, and this has really accelerated our growth. I would highly recommend the program.”

  Applications are open until Sunday, March 13 and can be submitted to brocku.ca/linc/lincubator

  All applications will be reviewed after the deadline and the interview and selection process will be completed by mid-April to prepare for the start to the program in May.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Weeklong Brock Women in STEM event open to the community

  Friday, February 04, 2022 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 4 February 2022 – R0012

  Women working in the science community will come together next week to share their experiences and inspire the next generation during a weeklong initiative at Brock University.

  Now in its third year, Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is building on its momentum and expanding its roster of virtual talks and workshops that will be offered from Monday, Feb. 7 to Friday, Feb. 11.

  Previously held as a one-day event, the initiative seeks to raise awareness of the under-representation of women and other minorities in science, and to spark discussions about what can be done to achieve gender equity in STEM fields.

  “This year, attendees will hear the stories, experiences and perspectives of scientists in different fields,” said Biological Sciences PhD candidate Mariana Garrido, who is leading the event’s organizing committee. “For the first time, the Women in STEM event is opening its doors to external speakers, with women scientists in positions outside academia joining us as well.”

  Event attendance rose from 125 participants in 2020 to 275 last year as a successful shift was made to a virtual format to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions.

  This year’s initiative will include a wide range of activities, including an academia showcase, ‘Meet a STEM Professional’ session and a trivia night including prizes. Also planned is a screening of the documentary Picture a Scientist, which focuses on sexual harassment and gender inequality in the wider science community.

  A talk on Gender Consent and Supporting Survivors in STEM will be presented by Brock’s Human Rights and Equity team, with the University’s Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre hosting a session on Burnout and Imposter Syndrome in STEM.

  “Previous events were attended by a diverse audience, including students from Brock’s undergraduate and graduate programs, faculty, local high school students and community members,” said Garrido.  “We believe the event improves the recognition and visibility of women in STEM fields and increases awareness of the issues that drive women away once they are involved in science.”

  This year’s initiative was organized by a committee of dedicated graduate students, including Garrido, second-year Centre for Biotechnology master’s student Amanda Williams, second-year Applied Health Sciences master’s student Hannah Charnock and Biological Sciences PhD candidate Shawna Hopper.

  The expansion of Women in STEM was also made possible by support from Brock’s Office of the Vice-President, Research and key sponsorship from Norgen Biotek Corp.

  The opening ceremony on Monday, Feb. 7 will include keynote speakers Vanessa Tran, Clinical Microbiologist at Public Health Ontario, and Kira Lussier, historian of science and a post-doctoral researcher cross-appointed at the Institute for Management and Innovation at the University of Toronto Mississauga and Rotman’s Institute for Gender and the Economy.

  A full schedule of Women in STEM speakers and events can be found on ExperienceBU.

  Women in STEM is open to all Brock students, faculty and staff members as well as the general public. To register for the free event, fill out an online registration form.

  Updates on the event are available through the @WomenInSTEM.BrockU Instagram page.

   

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases