Program
From Zero to Invention
No idea yet? Learn to find real problems and turn them into inventions.
- No idea yet
- Idea creation
- Invention
Mandate
Advancing Canadian innovation from idea to global opportunity
The First Institute of Canadian Inventors (FICI) is a national not-for-profit organization, established in 2015, and the official Canadian representative of the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA).
We support inventors, students, youth, researchers, entrepreneurs, startups and innovation-led businesses across Canada, from the very first spark of an idea through intellectual property, prototyping, commercialization, market access and international opportunity. FICI also leads the National Inventors’ Team of Canada at international invention exhibitions, competitions and innovation events.
Our role is simple: help people take the next step in the innovation journey, and connect them with the right education, mentors, institutions, industry partners, investors and international networks.
We start earlier
Most incubators and accelerators work with people who already have an idea, a startup or a technology to develop. FICI starts before that. We work with people who are interested in innovation and entrepreneurship but may not yet know what to invent, what problem to solve, or how to turn an idea into something real.
In our programs, participants learn to identify real-world problems, generate original ideas, develop them into inventions, and understand the basics of prototyping and intellectual property, so they’re ready for what comes next.
“Our goal is not only to support existing entrepreneurs. We help create new inventors and entrepreneurs.”
Once an invention takes shape, we connect participants with incubators, accelerators, universities, industry, investors, IP professionals and other commercialization resources. Through the National Inventors’ Team of Canada and IFIA’s international network, they can also present their work abroad, receive feedback, build partnerships and explore new markets.
| Typical incubator or accelerator | FICI | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | An existing idea, startup or technology | No idea is needed to begin |
| Focus | Developing and scaling what exists | Creating the idea, developing the invention, then connecting onward |
| Reach | Usually local or regional | Canada-wide, with IFIA’s international network |
| Relationship | Often the final destination | A bridge that prepares innovators and refers them onward |
We complement incubators and accelerators — we don’t compete with them, and often we refer innovators onward.
A complete pathway
From no idea to entrepreneurship, FICI supports every stage and helps people move from one to the next.
Seven stages · pick one to see its programs
Stage 1 / 7
No idea yet
You're curious about innovation but don't know what to invent. That's where we start.
Programs at this stage
Traditional incubators usually help develop an existing idea. FICI helps people learn how to create the idea, develop the invention, and begin the journey toward becoming an inventor and entrepreneur.
Across the full innovation journey
Our work spans ideas, invention, intellectual property, prototyping, commercialization, market access and international growth. We focus on one thing: helping people and organizations move from one stage to the next.
Often, our work begins before a startup exists. In other cases, we support inventors, researchers, startups and small businesses that already have a technology and need help with commercialization, partnerships, visibility or international access.
Ten programs, one pathway
Each program covers specific stages of the pathway. Together, they take an innovator from first idea to international market.
Start
Program
Youth & University Innovation
Chapters, workshops and challenges that reach students before they have an idea.
- No idea yet
- Idea creation
- Invention
Build
Program
Innovation to Commercialization
Mentorship and connections to move a working invention toward market.
- Prototype & IP
- Commercialization
Program
Research & Technology Commercialization
Help taking research and technology beyond the lab and into real applications.
- Invention
- Prototype & IP
- Commercialization
Grow
Program
Startup & SME Innovation Support
Strategy, matchmaking and introductions for innovation-led companies ready to grow.
- Commercialization
- Entrepreneurship
Program
Domestic Market & Partnership Access
Connections to Canadian corporations, universities, municipalities and pilot partners.
- Commercialization
- Entrepreneurship
Program
International Market Access
Use IFIA's global network to meet partners, buyers and investors abroad.
- International exposure
- Commercialization
Represent & include
Program
National Inventors’ Team of Canada
Represent Canada at international invention exhibitions and turn exposure into partnerships.
- International exposure
- Commercialization
Program
Inclusive Innovators
Removing barriers so more people can enter, and lead, Canadian innovation.
- Idea creation
- Invention
- Prototype & IP
Program
Social Innovation & Community Development
Innovation that tackles social, economic and community challenges.
- No idea yet
- Idea creation
- Invention
Innovation should be open to everyone
Talent is everywhere; access isn’t. FICI works to bring invention and entrepreneurship programs to communities that have not traditionally had strong access to them, and to remove the barriers that keep talented people out of the innovation ecosystem.
We focus in particular on:
Discover Inclusive InnovatorsSocial Innovation & Community Development
Innovation takes more than one organization
No single organization can take an invention all the way to market. FICI connects the parts of the ecosystem so innovators can move easily between education, invention, intellectual property, prototyping, commercialization, business development and international growth.
FICI at the centre, connecting fifteen parts of the ecosystem
- Inventors
- Researchers
- Students
- Entrepreneurs
- Startups
- SMEs
- Universities
- Incubators
- Accelerators
- Investors
- Industry
- Government
- Community organizations
- IP professionals
- International innovation organizations
Canada’s door to IFIA’s global network
As IFIA’s official Canadian representative, FICI connects Canadian innovators with an international network of inventor associations, innovation organizations, universities, competitions and exhibitions.
International participation is not an end in itself. We use it as a tool to help Canadian innovators build credibility, relationships and opportunities beyond Canada, and we measure it by practical outcomes.
What the network opens up
- International collaboration
- Knowledge exchange
- Technology partnerships
- Research cooperation
- International commercialization
- Market access
- Investment
- Participation in global innovation programs
The outcomes we aim for
- Business meetings
- Partnership agreements
- Pilot opportunities
- Investment discussions
- Licensing discussions
- International market entry
- Export opportunities
International Market AccessNational Inventors’ Team of CanadaAbout IFIA
We measure practical outcomes
FICI measures success through practical innovation and economic-development outcomes. Depending on the program, these include:
Learning and invention
- People trained in innovation
- New inventions developed
- Prototypes created
- Intellectual-property applications
Building and commercializing
- Startups created
- Technologies commercialized
- Pilot projects initiated
- Business partnerships established
- Investor introductions
- Jobs supported or created
International reach
- International business meetings
- Market-entry opportunities
- Export opportunities
- Licensing opportunities
- Canadian participation in international innovation events
Designed for delivery across Canada
FICI programs can be delivered locally, nationally, internationally, or in hybrid and digital formats, and adapted for collaboration with:
Mission and vision
Our mission
To expand access to invention and innovation, help Canadian innovators move from ideas toward commercialization and international opportunity, and strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem through education, collaboration, inclusion, and global engagement.
Our vision
A Canada where people from all backgrounds have the skills, connections, and opportunities to turn problems into ideas, ideas into inventions, and inventions into businesses and solutions that create economic and social impact in Canada and internationally.
Host a program
Bring a FICI program to your organization
From Zero to Invention, innovation workshops and more — adapted to your students, members or community. Universities, municipalities, schools and industry associations all host FICI programs.
Your next step
Start where you are
Whether you have no idea yet or a technology ready for market, there’s a next step.
Organizations can also partner with FICI.
Leading social innovation within IFIA
In 2026, FICI’s President, Babak Khodaparast, was appointed Director of IFIA’s Department of Social Innovation & Community Development, a department presented to IFIA by FICI. Through this role, FICI contributes to programs that use innovation and entrepreneurship to address social, economic and community challenges.
Areas of focus include:
Social Innovation & Community Development programRead the announcement