ProtoZone Program – Development Workshops now open!

What is the ProtoZone Program?
So you have an innovative idea! Now all you need is to get made. That's not a simple task but luckily for you, the ProtoZone program is here to help you get started with a prototype. It starts by looking at the viability of your idea, both from a customer perspective and scalability perspective, and ends with a physical prototype being produced. The focus of the program is to support innovative product development and commercialization by providing the right technical and business support, ensuring product-market fit throughout the product development process, and assisting innovative entrepreneurs and small businesses with the costs associated with successful product development.

3 STAGES TO THE PROTOZONE PROGRAM

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Stage 1
Interactive Product Development Workshops

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Stage 2
New Product Assessment Service (NPAS)

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Stage 3
Prototype Funding Assistance

What Type Of Products Are Supported By This Program?
If your innovative idea will be made from one the following materials the ProtoZone program can help!

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Metal
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Plastics
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Electronics
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Composites
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Woods

We are happy to consider other product materials. Please connect with our team and we can talk further.

How Does The ProtoZone Program Work?
Taking that napkin sketch and using it to create a prototype may seem like a logical choice for many but there's more to it than that! The ProtoZone program will give you a crash course in product and business development, a crucial new product assessment, and funding and assistance towards the design and development of your prototype.

Not all program participants qualify for each stage of the ProtoZone program. Please review the eligibility for each stage.

program-stages

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Interactive Product Development Workshops
This 4-session interactive workshop series is on the basics of product development that will provide you with key information, insights, and education around the best practices for successfully developing a product. You will also receive 1-on-1 support by the Innovation Centre team.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
This workshop series will cover the following topics:

Materials selection
Product development best practices
Define your product
Designing your product correctly (material selection, process selection, design for manufacturing, CAD, cost reduction strategies, ethics/safety)
Steps to developing a prototypes and production process (why prototype?, types of production, benefits of tooling, building and maintaining quality)
How to validate your business idea
How to complete a Business Model Canvas
Basics in the patent process
Understanding a Minimal Viable Product

COST TO PARTICIPATE - $25+tax

WHY IS THE WORKSHOP SERIES IMPORTANT?
The knowledge gained in this Stage is imperative to the development of a well-built product that can outperform the competition.

ELIGIBILITY
Anyone that has an innovative idea for a physical product and the willingness to sell it beyond the Northwestern Ontario market.

INTERESTED IN GETTING YOUR INNOVATIVE IDEA STARTED?
If you have a great idea Carole will be happy to discuss it further.

Email: [email protected]

ARE YOU READY TO REGISTER?
Our next workshop series begins Wednesday, February 15th from 5 pm

to 6 pm. It will continue for the next 3 consecutive Wednesdays.

Email Carole to let her know you're interested!