M51 Community Spotlight: Championing Canadian Innovation - A Conversation with Nicole Daub from NRC IRAP
Today we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on Nicole Daub, a dedicated innovation champion with the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) who engages with ecosystem partners such as Movement51 to strengthen support for Canadian innovators. NRC IRAP plays a vital role in Canada’s innovation ecosystem, helping small and medium-sized enterprises scale their technologies and bring bold ideas to market through expert advice, funding support, and connection to deep research networks.
Connecting Innovators with Opportunity
Nicole brings over 15 years of experience across innovation-driven sectors - from environmental science to geospatial and ag-tech - grounded in both technical and business leadership. She holds a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Lethbridge and an MBA from the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business, giving her a unique vantage point on how innovation, strategy, and economic impact intersect.
As an Industrial Technology Advisor with NRC IRAP, Nicole supports innovators across Southern Alberta, bridging entrepreneurs to NRC’s suite of services - including advisory expertise, funding pathways, and R&D partnerships - helping them unlock growth and turn ideas into commercial realities.
Why Innovation Support Matters
“Innovation isn’t just about inventing something new - it’s about enabling people with great ideas to overcome barriers and scale with confidence,” Nicole shares. “Whether it’s through technical guidance or facilitating connections, our work is about building momentum for Canadian innovators and helping them succeed on the world stage.”
Her regional focus means working closely with diverse founders, industry partners, and ecosystem builders: from startups in agtech and software to scaling ventures in advanced tech - ensuring innovators have not just capital but the conviction and networks to grow.
Working together with Movement51
Nicole’s involvement with Movement51 underscores a shared belief: innovation must be inclusive. Through its support for initiatives like Movement51’s Founder Lab and other capacity-building programs, NRC IRAP continues to help Canadian SMEs build innovation capacity, scale technologies, and bring their ideas to market. Nicole notes that these engagements help accelerate not only individual ventures but the broader ecosystem.
“Movement51’s work to equip women founders with tools, networks, and capital literacy is essential,” she says. “When we bring diverse innovators into the fold, we elevate the entire entrepreneurial community.”
Perspectives on Innovation & Leadership
With a career rooted in fostering innovation and connecting people to resources, Nicole’s advice for founders and ecosystem partners is rooted in resilience:
Ask for support early and often: advisors, peers, and ecosystem partners are allies, not just checkpoints.
Leverage both funding and knowledge: non-dilutive support and strategic mentorship are powerful levers.
Stay curious and persistent: the innovation journey is rarely linear, but every pivot builds strength.
A Vision for the Future
Nicole sees Canada’s innovation economy continuing to evolve: stronger, more inclusive, and more connected. Through programs like NRC IRAP and partnerships with community builders like Movement51, she believes we can create an ecosystem where every founder has the resources and confidence to build something remarkable.
From all of us at Movement51, and the founders we serve, thank you, Nicole, for championing innovation and helping make space for diverse voices in Canada’s innovation economy. Together, we’re building a future where great ideas and diverse talent get the support they deserve.