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 find the necessary funding programs associated with successful product development.
3 STAGES TO THE PROTOZONE PROGRAM
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!
Metal
Plastics
Electronics
Composites
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 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.
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: carole@nwoinnovation.ca
New Product Assessment Service (NPAS)
In this stage, innovators will work with experts to determine preliminary technical and market feasibility, cost of development estimates, insights, and feedback for their innovative idea.
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE
Your New Product Assessment Service report will include:
- An assessment by the Innovation Centre that will include:
- Feasibility analysis
- Materials recommendation
- Recommendation to move forward
- Manufacturing Feasibility report (along with market report)
- A product design based on manufacturing recommendations to simply manufacturing processes and reduce costs
- Recommendations on materials based on product characteristics and manufacturing process
- Technical understanding
COST TO PARTICIPATE - $75
ELIGIBILITY
Those that are eligible for Stage 2: New Product Assessment Service have:
- Completed Business Model Canvas
- A validated business idea with completed customer interviews
- Must be located in Northwestern Ontario
Funding and Assistance Towards the Design and Development of Your Prototype
Your business can utilize this final stage to explore potential funding options that will aid in the advancement of your idea, encompassing product design, material sourcing and selection, rapid prototyping, product testing, and product development. A Technologist will sit down with you and finalize the design of your first prototype and recommend prototyping methods and companies to do so.
ELIGIBILITY
Those that are eligible for Stage 3: Funding and Assistance Towards the Design and Development of Your Prototype
- Completion of Stage 1: New Product Assessment Service
- Completion of Stage 2: With a recommendation to move forward
- Have a completed market assessment that appears viable and ready to test the market
- Must be located in Northwestern Ontario
ARE YOU READY TO CREATE YOUR
INNOVATIVE PRODUCT?
We are happy to talk with you further on how this program is right choice for launching your million dollar idea!
Contact Carole by emailing carole@nwoinnovation.ca