November 13, 2025 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
Today, Research Manitoba announces a total investment of $1,713,800 through the Innovation Proof-of-Concept (IPoC) Grant to support 16 new projects.
IPoC bridges the critical gap between discovery and application. By investing in these projects, we’re empowering researchers to turn bold ideas into practical innovations that serve communities and markets.
This program provides funding through two streams:
- IPoC Stream 1: Manitoba-Based Consortium supports academic researchers, and local companies address a company-specific discovery or innovation toward market usability. This stream allows projects to use world-class knowledge, facilities, and highly qualified personnel to close the knowledge gaps identified during industry innovation development.
- IPoC Stream 2: Manitoba Post-Secondary Researchers supports the advancement of discoveries or innovations within an academic setting, which may result in products or technologies, towards market usability. These projects engage post-secondary students, giving them skills and opportunities to contribute to innovative solutions.
From medical technologies to clean technology, these projects showcase the incredible talent in our province. This funding strengthens Manitoba’s capacity to compete in a global knowledge economy by supporting the commercialization of homegrown research.
Research Manitoba’s investment will leverage industry funds and will support Manitoba-based projects in the sectors of bioscience, information and communication technologies, and infrastructure and transportation industries and technology.
Projects funded include research on smart medical devices, clean energy solutions, sustainable materials, advanced imaging, biotechnology, food quality control, and AI applications. The grant supports both academic-industry collaborations and post-secondary-led innovations.
Reviewing the latest intake was an inspiring introduction to the incredible innovation happening across Manitoba. These projects reflect the bold thinking and collaborative spirit we aim to support through IPoC.
Congratulations to all of the recipients!
| Stream 1: Manitoba-based Consortium | ||
| Applicant | Industry Partner or Institution | Project Title |
| Francis Lin (University of Manitoba) |
Harrison Ross (AssureCKD Inc.) | Development and validation of novel microfluidic devices to measure cystatin C in blood for point-of-care chronic kidney disease diagnosis |
| Sarvesh Logsetty (University of Manitoba) |
Miloslav Sailer (Kane Biotech) | A pilot clinical trial: revyve™ Antimicrobial Wound Gel (revyve™-AWG): A novel antimicrobial dressing to accelerate burn wound healing |
| Stream 1: Manitoba Independent Industry | ||
| Gavin van der Linde | Innovantage Inc. | Integrated Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) and InnoCyclone Technology for Wastewater Treatment and Phosphorus Recovery |
| Stream 2: Manitoba Post-Secondary Researchers | ||
| Christopher Bidinosti | University of Winnipeg | Low-cost photogrammetry to accelerate plant science and breeding |
| Madjid Birouk | University of Manitoba | Towards low-carbon fuels in the transition to clean energy |
| Prashen Chelikani | University of Manitoba | Pea protein hydrolysates as a source of peptide-based natural bitter taste modifiers |
| Kangmin Duan | University of Manitoba | Development of a novel class of antimicrobial compounds against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) |
| Chyngyz Erkinbaev | University of Manitoba | Development of an IoT-based Smart Shelf for Efficient Food Quality Control |
| Ngai Man (Carl) Ho | University of Manitoba | Dynamic Wireless EV Chargers |
| Christian Kuss | University of Manitoba | Renewable battery binders for cheaper, more sustainable battery manufacturing |
| Shiu Hong (Shaun) Lui | University of Manitoba | Grading Calculus Assessments by ChatGPT |
| Richard Sparling | University of Manitoba | Ti(III)-enabled CO2 recycling to 2,3-butanediol through Clostridium ljungdahlii fermentation |
| Dagmar Svecova | University of Manitoba | Structural detailing of efficient housing construction using 3D printing |
| Filiz Koksel | University of Manitoba | An Innovative Approach for Enzyme Resistant Starch Type-3 (RS3) Production |
| Hans-Joachim Wieden | University of Manitoba | A Versatile Molecular Cloaking Device for Health and Biomanufacturing Applications |
| Frederick Zeiler | University of Manitoba | Spatiotemporally Resolved Non-Invasive and Portable Whole Brain Cerebrovascular Imaging Using Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy |
Contact:
Freyja Arnason, Director, Strategy and Programs, Research Manitoba
P: 204-942-1948| E: Freyja.arnason@researchmb.ca | W: researchmanitoba.ca
Research Manitoba:
Research Manitoba promotes, supports, and coordinates the funding of research excellence and innovation in health, natural and social sciences, engineering, and the humanities in Manitoba. Research Manitoba supports local talent development by providing research support to early career researchers and graduate students, along with fostering partnerships to strengthen research innovation in Manitoba.