BRILLIANT
VENTURES FUND
Your startup's brilliant journey begins here: Discover resources, capital, and expertise.
ABOUT THE BRILLIANT VENTURES FUND
The Brilliant Ventures Fund (BVF) initiative is powered by Brilliant Catalyst, operating under the Office of the Vice President - Research and Innovation at Ontario Tech University. It fosters innovation, supports ethical tech advancements, and stimulates the Canadian entrepreneurship ecosystem. By prioritizing 'tech with a conscience', BVF aspires to propel technology that enhances human life and preserves our planet.
Objectives:
S.A.F.E: The Brilliant Ventures Fund will invest based on a Simple Agreement for Future Equity.
Capital Investment & Venture Support: Provide startups with the much-needed capital to cover business costs until profitability and offer continued support for sustainable growth.
Validation & Due Diligence: Ensure startups have a viable MVP (Minimum Viable Product) through a rigorous assessment, ensuring the fund's investments are directed toward promising and sustainable ventures.
Experiential Learning & Collaboration: Commit startups to employ students and researchers, fostering a symbiotic relationship that benefits the startup and the university community.
Focused Sectors: While BVF prioritizes energy, mobility, and agritech sectors, it remains open to exploring other innovative tech arenas that align with its vision.
Value-Added Services: Apart from financial support, BVF offers startups in-kind services, access to cutting-edge labs, university resources, talent, and potential grant opportunities to enhance their growth trajectory further.
Target Audience:
Brilliant Catalyst is eager to collaborate with pre-seed, tech-focused or tech-powered startups, especially those rooted in Canada. While preference is given to Canadian-based ventures, the primary criteria revolve around alignment with the university’s priorities, the potential for meaningful contributions to the Canadian market, and a genuine commitment to harnessing technology ethically.
Sign up for the BRILLIANT VENTURES FUND waitlist today!
For more details on how to apply, join our waitlist below. We will be in touch soon with more exciting details!
BENEFITS & ELIGIBILITY
Participants can expect:
Strategic Financial Support: Startups will receive capital investments that will assist them in covering initial business costs until they achieve profitability.
Holistic Venture Support: From market access strategies to operations, startups can anticipate guidance every step of the way.
University Collaboration: Startups are expected to collaborate closely with the university, employing students and researchers, thereby enhancing experiential learning.
Validation & Support: Startups must present a viable MVP and undergo a due diligence check, ensuring the fund's investments are merit-based and directed towards promising ventures.
Access to Resources: From state-of-the-art labs to in-kind services, startups will have many resources to leverage.
Focused Growth: While startups from the energy, mobility, and agritech sectors are primarily interested, the program is flexible enough to entertain ventures from other innovative tech arenas.
Benefits & Incentives:
Networking Opportunities: Access an extensive network of fellow startups, university faculty, alumni, and industry leaders.
Mentorship: One-on-one sessions with experienced mentors who have navigated startup challenges.
Access to Resources: From state-of-the-art labs to a vast talent pool, participants tap into the best the university offers.
Capital Support: Strategic financial backing to help startups cover initial costs and reach profitability faster.
Program Eligibility:
Viable MVP: Startups must present a functioning Minimum Viable Product.
Commitment to Collaboration: A willingness to collaborate with Canadian students and researchers, preferably from Ontario Tech University.
Sector Focus: Preference is given to startups in energy, mobility, and agritech, but it is open to other innovative sectors.
Canadian Base: While not restrictive, Canadian-based ventures are given priority to foster local innovation.
Ethical Tech Alignment: Projects should align with 'tech with a conscience,' aiming to improve human and planetary well-being.