Program
Inclusive Innovators
Removing barriers so more people can enter, and lead, Canadian innovation.
- Idea creation
- Invention
- Prototype & IP
Start
Youth & University Innovation
Many students want to be entrepreneurs but don’t know where to begin. FICI reaches them before they have an idea or a startup, teaching them to identify problems, generate ideas and develop solutions, and to take their first steps as inventors and entrepreneurs.
Programs for students
- University chapters
- Innovation workshops
- From Zero to Invention
- Speaker events
- Invention challenges
- Intellectual-property education
- Entrepreneurship workshops
- Industry engagement
- Mentorship
- International competitions
How it works
1
Join a chapter
Connect with the FICI chapter at your university, or start one if there isn’t one yet.
2
Learn and create
Take part in workshops, From Zero to Invention and invention challenges.
3
Take the next step
When your project is ready, FICI connects you with university incubators, accelerators, industry programs, mentors and commercialization resources.
4
Go international
Strong projects can be nominated to the National Inventors’ Team of Canada.
Also within this program
IP workshops
Free intellectual-property workshops for students, run with the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC).
Our chapters
Start a chapter
No chapter at your school? FICI is expanding its chapter network. We’re looking for students ready to take responsibility for starting and running a chapter at universities where we aren’t yet present.
Start a chapterUpcoming events
November 14, 2026
From Zero to Invention: Waterloo workshop
A one-day workshop for students who don’t have an idea yet: how to find real problems worth solving, and how to turn one into an invention.
Frequently asked questions
Nothing opens on its own.
Ready to take the next step?
Tell us where you are, and we’ll help you find the right next step.
Related programs
Ready to take part
Join this program
Create a free member account, then apply or ask us what’s involved.
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