SURGE Innovation

SURGE is an innovation sandbox funded by the Nova Scotia government, whose aim is to train science students to translate scientific discovery into economic growth and solutions to the world’s big problems. SURGE offers a range of programs to introduce, and systematically train, science students in the processes and methods of innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship. This complements the core training students in the Faculty of Science receive through their degree programs, providing them with the understanding and opportunities needed to take what they learn in the classroom out into the world, through founding startup companies and nonprofits, and working in industry. While serving students across the Faculty of Science, SURGE has a close affiliation with the Ocean Frontiers Institute to support oceans-related innovation, and a specific mandate to foster science and technology innovation and entrepreneurship activities among traditionally under-represented groups, including indigenous people, African Nova Scotians, and women. Coming Soon: In the SURGE Sandbox Space we will be hosting SURGE Discovers and “Deep Dive” weekends, as well as the capstone class SCIE 4705. All surrounding how to translate scientific into economic growth and solutions to real world problems. SURGE Discover events will be small workshops on various topics surrounding entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialization. Deep Dives will be bigger events that focus on various applications of science to real world problems. These weekend workshops will include events like hackathons, make-a-thons, and start-up weekends. As SURGE Sandbox moves into the future, we hope to host a residency and mentor ship programs to help inspire and be the lead in making science unleashed!