6 Pathways to Commercialization

The Six Pathways to Commercialization

Too many founders begin by asking, "How do I get funding?” But funding is the outcome, not the starting point.

To be fundable, founders need to understand three key things:

What stage their venture is really at

What important gaps still remain

Who the likely funders are for each stage

On the morning of Monday, November 2nd, Craig Elias and Jen Jensen, Technology Development Advisors with Alberta Innovates, will guide participants through the six pathways to commercialization.

Participants will explore each pathway across three levels of venture readiness:

Ideate: Create assumptions by documenting what you believe to be true.

Validate: Use data to validate or invalidate assumptions by gathering relevant evidence.

Iterate: Modify your solution, business model, and strategy based on what customers do, NOT what they say.

Participants will work through practical examples, assess their ventures using the six-pathway framework, and help pressure-test real commercialization challenges shared by fellow founders.

The six-pathway framework is built around the KTH Innovation Readiness model, a component of Alberta Innovates' recently announced Venture Development Grant, which offers up to $150,000 in non-dilutive funding.

What you’ll leave with

A framework that shows where your venture currently sits across the six commercialization pathways

Actionable insights on what to do next before applying for funding or approaching investors

Greater clarity on when bootstrapping, grants, accelerators, angel investment, venture capital, and customer revenue fit

Who should attend

Early- to mid-stage technology founders and operators who are:

Considering angel or venture capital investment

Preparing to apply for a grant or other non-dilutive suppor

Developing or commercializing an innovative product or technology

Unsure what funders mean when they say the company is “not ready yet”

Looking for a structured way to identify their next commercialization priority

Working toward a pilot, first customer, repeatable revenue, or broader market entry

What to bring

Bring a willingness to test your assumptions, a desire to learn where your company stands today, and what you need to do in order to take your idea to the next level.

About the facilitators

Craig EliasCraig is a globally connected mentor, collaborator, sales expert, and ecosystem builder who loves spending time with growth-minded individuals.

His first startup went from initial launch to funding by a Tier 1 Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist and was named twice by Dow Jones as one of the 50 most promising companies in North America less than 24 months after launch.

Since returning from Silicon Valley, Craig has been helping aspiring, first-time, and early-stage founders validate business ideas and commercialize technologies.

Jen JensenJen Jensen is a seasoned entrepreneur and innovation advocate with more than 18 years of experience in business development, business coaching, and venture growth. Having founded, operated, and sold two businesses, Jen brings firsthand understanding of the challenges involved in building, scaling, and commercializing new ventures.

Before joining Alberta Innovates, Jen supported Calgary’s startup community through the Calgary Regional Innovation Network, providing tailored guidance to startups and working with ecosystem partners to advance innovation across the province. At Alberta Innovates, she helps entrepreneurs strengthen their business strategies, connect with relevant resources, and move technologies toward commercialization.

Registration is free and is a two-step process.

1)        Register for Innovation Week YYC - https://luma.com/calgaryinnovationweek2026

2)        Register for the session - https://luma.com/v33e381j