Opus mobilizes innovation on campus
As a research-intensive university, USask has recognized that researchers can benefit from entrepreneurial programming designed to help them take their research to the next level by building a business.
USask’s Innovation Mobilization and Partnership Unit, found in the Office of the Vice-President Research, launched a new startup incubator named Opus in 2022. This is a pre-accelerator program designed to support the unique needs of USask founders. Opus provides necessary access to programming, infrastructure, and a network of mentors and advisors to promote successful ventures developed on campus.
Opus also provides free support to students, faculty, and staff interested in developing business ideas.
USask alumna Kara Friesen (BSA’13, BScNutr’17) is a researcher who has benefited from Opus programming. When she began her master’s degree in food and bioproduct sciences at USask, she became fascinated with tempeh, a fermented food product that is usually made from soybeans. After hearing from potential customers about market demand in Saskatchewan and Canada, Friesen created Cultured Bites, a startup that focuses on tempeh-based food and offers a oneof- a-kind soy and gluten-free product made from peas, oats, and lentils.
Friesen’s fermented plant-protein product has since received a lot of attention, winning the People’s Choice Award at the 2025 Opus Innovation Expo—a special event dedicated to celebrating the incredible work and achievements of Opus i2Build founders. Opus i2Build is a cohort program that teaches USask faculty, researchers, and students how to launch deep tech startups and receive access to entrepreneurial programming, infrastructure, and a network of mentors and coaches to help successfully build ventures on campus.
“Opus is a really good way to get plugged in. They give you lots of support and it’s recognized across campus. It’s been a great next step for me to continue work on my venture,” said Friesen.