SPEC LABS

09/30/2025

🧬 Life Sciences founders: are you ready for your next lab space?

Moving out of an incubator and into a dedicated wet lab is a big milestone and the decisions you make now can shape your company’s trajectory.

Our latest blog post breaks down 5 essential operational questions to ask before choosing a coworking wet lab, from equipment and services to flexibility and location.

Plus: why a residency agreement might be a smarter, lower-risk move than a traditional lease.

✅ Built for scale
✅ Support included
✅ Designed for science

📖 Read the full post👇

Key questions biotech founders must ask when choosing a coworking wet lab. Learn why flexible residency agreements boost startup growth. . .

08/12/2025

🚀✨ Life beyond the incubator starts with more than just great science — it starts with how you show up to the world.

As early-stage life sciences and biotech startups transition from R&D to commercialization, many default to sterile, clinical branding in an effort to look “professional.” The truth? That cold look can actually make it harder to build trust with investors, partners, and customers.

We’re thrilled to share a new guest blog post on the SPEC Labs site from Noel Fenez, Founder of Alister, on how graduation-stage science companies can make their brands more human, relatable, and trustworthy, without losing scientific credibility.

🔍 In this post, you’ll learn:
• Why a clinical look isn’t always the most credible
• How to infuse warmth, purpose, and clarity into your brand
• Practical visual and storytelling tips that help you stand out while staying true to your science

👉 Read the full blog post:

Graduation-stage life sciences startups often default to cold, clinical branding. Here’s how to create a brand that feels credible and deeply human.

08/06/2025

🚨📣 Exciting news from SPEC Labs!

We’re thrilled to welcome two powerhouse leaders to our Board of Directors: Abdullah Snobar and Bob Hill. Their combined expertise in entrepreneurship, innovation ecosystems, and life sciences operations will help propel SPEC Labs into our next phase of national growth.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Pamela Plant and Dr. Leyla Soleymani for their invaluable contributions from our inception to launch.

CEO Doris Qamar shares:
“Abdullah’s leadership and Bob’s strategic insight are perfectly aligned with our mission to support Canada’s life sciences founders as they scale.”

Read the full press release here: https://bwnews.pr/4ft8U4s

SPEC Labs announces the appointment of two new distinguished leaders, Abdullah Snobar and Bob Hill, to its Board of Directors.

07/25/2025

🚧 Construction is Well Underway at SPEC Labs! 🧪🔧

We’re excited to share that our first facility in Mississauga is coming to life — walls are going up, infrastructure is taking shape, and SPEC Labs is on track to open in Fall 2025!

This purpose-built, fully equipped co-working wet lab space is designed specifically for graduation-stage life sciences innovators who need flexible, short-term, move-in-ready labs to scale their science without delay.

We’re currently accepting applications for Resident Memberships — don’t miss out if you're looking for:

✅ 900–5,000 sq. ft. of private, secure wet lab space
✅ Flexible 1–3 year terms
✅ Shared lab services, office, and meeting space
✅ A vibrant community of scaling life sciences companies

📬 Apply now or get in touch to learn more: https://bit.ly/3IJfNlT

Let’s build the future of biotech innovation — together.

07/10/2025

🚨 Life sciences startup founders—don’t sign that wet lab lease just yet!

There’s a smarter, more flexible way to access the lab space you need to grow—without the risks of a 10-year lease or tenant covenants.

In our latest blog, we break down:
🔬 The hidden costs of traditional wet lab leases
📜 Why Licensing Agreements are better for startups
⚙️ What to ask before you sign on the dotted line

At SPEC Labs, we give life sciences companies access to purpose-built, co-working wet lab space through flexible Licensing Agreements—not long-term leases.

📍Our GTA facility is now accepting resident applications.

Before committing to lab space, understand why a Licensing Agreement may be smarter than a lease—and the hidden costs most biotech startups overlook.

06/18/2025

🚨 Biotech Founders in Ontario: Struggling to Find Wet Lab Space?

You’re not alone. As the life sciences sector in the GTA explodes, many graduation-stage companies are hitting the same wall:
👉 Incubators are full.
👉 Long-term leases are risky.
👉 Building your own lab? Expensive and slow.

That’s exactly why we built SPEC Labs—shared, flexible wet lab space for growing biotech startups who are ready to scale.

✅ Fully equipped labs
✅ Short-term, affordable leases
✅ A supportive community of innovators

🔬 Whether you're validating your platform or gearing up for Series A, this is where you can get to work—fast.

📍 Located in the heart of Ontario’s life sciences ecosystem.

📖 Read the full story here👇

Struggling to find BSL1/BSL2 lab space in Ontario? Learn how SPEC Labs helps startups scale with flexible, coworking wet labs in the heart of the GTA.

05/28/2025

💡 You’ve done the hard part—now it’s time to build!

At SPEC Labs, we know what it takes to move from the incubator stage to real, scalable progress. You’ve proven the science. Now you need the space, support, and community to bring it to life.

That’s why we built SPEC Labs: fully equipped wet labs, trusted operational partners, and a network of fellow founders who get it.

Whether you're scaling R&D, developing your first product, or preparing to raise, we’re here to help you keep going — without losing momentum.

💬 Read more about what you can access as a member →

Read the full post 👇

Discover how SPEC Labs empowers graduation-stage biotech startups with turnkey wet labs, expert support, and a thriving peer community. Join us today.

05/06/2025

🔬 Canada’s biotech and medtech startups are growing—but too many are forced to leave the country right when they’re ready to scale.

At SPEC Labs, we’re solving this problem by building graduation-stage coworking wet labs - shared, fully equipped lab spaces designed for startups after they leave incubators.

But we need partners to make it work.

🏥 If you’re in pharma, medtech, VC, or life sciences supply, this is your chance to:
✅ Gain early access to high-potential startups
✅ Connect with founders and breakthrough science
✅ Elevate your brand in Canada’s innovation ecosystem
✅ Make a real impact on health innovation

📣 Sponsorship isn’t just support—it’s strategy.

👉 Read our latest blog: Fuel Innovation & Gain Access: Sponsor a Graduation-Stage Wet Lab

🇨🇦 Let’s build a future where Canadian science thrives—and stays home. 🇨🇦

Support Canadian life sciences by sponsoring wet labs: advance research, gain early access to innovations, build community alliances, and enhance CSR.

04/02/2025

🔬 Future-Ready: Strengthening Canada’s Biomanufacturing Workforce 🌱

The biomanufacturing industry is growing fast, but are we ready with the skilled workforce needed to support it? Our partners at CASTL - Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences break it down in their latest report, exploring the critical skill gaps, training solutions, and how biotech startups can build a workforce that’s ready to scale.

From hands-on GMP training to industry mentorships, find out what’s shaping the future of biomanufacturing talent in Canada. Read the guest blog post now!

📖 the full report and explore CASTL’s programs today! 👇

Explore how Canada's biomanufacturing sector can grow with targeted training and collaboration, ensuring long-term success and global leadership.

03/24/2025

Exciting News!

We are thrilled to announce a major milestone in our journey! 🎉

✅ The City of Mississauga has officially approved our construction permit for 2599 Speakman Drive – paving the way for a state-of-the-art lab and innovation space.
✅ Construction is now underway, bringing us one step closer to fostering groundbreaking research and innovation.
✅ Phase 1 is on track to open in August 2025, providing cutting-edge lab space for visionary life sciences innovators and companies.

🔬 Looking for lab space? Apply now and secure your spot 👉 https://hubs.li/Q03cYV0X0

Stay tuned for more updates as we bring 2599 Speakman Drive to life! 🚀

03/20/2025

Sciences Ontario is doing an incredible job raising support and awareness for Ontario's life science sector. At 's AGM this morning, at the beautiful E+Y tower in downtown Toronto, people from across the province were brought together. A big thank you to our board chair, Dr Campbell, president and CEO at OBIO, and Fisher, the director of architecture at -Integrated Project Services for being valuable and supportive partners of Labs. It was great to see you there!

03/06/2025

Unlocking Your Biotech Dreams: Build vs. Rent Wet Lab Space in Ontario!

Are you a biotech entrepreneur in Ontario pondering whether to build your own wet lab or rent an existing space? The decision can feel daunting, but understanding the financial implications can set your startup on the path to success!

Here’s what you need to consider:

1. Initial Investment: Building a wet lab from scratch can require significant capital for construction, equipment, and compliance with safety regulations. On the flip side, renting allows you to allocate your funds towards R&D and product development instead of construction costs.

2. Flexibility: Renting offers unparalleled flexibility! As your startup grows, your lab needs may change. A coworking lab provides the opportunity to scale up or down without the long-term commitment of a dedicated space.

3. Networking Opportunities: Coworking labs are thriving hubs of innovation! By renting space, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded entrepreneurs and researchers, fostering collaboration and sparking new ideas that can accelerate your growth.

4. Time to Market: Building a lab takes time—time you might not have when racing to get your product to market. Renting a coworking lab allows you to hit the ground running, with fully equipped facilities ready for you to dive into your experiments.

5. Shared Resources: A coworking lab often comes with shared access to expensive equipment and resources, reducing your overhead costs. Why invest in pricey machinery when you can share it with fellow innovators?

In Ontario, the biotech landscape is booming, and the choice between building and renting could be the key to your startup’s success. Embrace the advantages of coworking labs and discover how they can supercharge your journey in the biotech field!

Ready to explore your options? Join the conversation! Share your experiences and thoughts on building vs. renting wet lab space below. Let’s innovate together!

Discover the financial considerations of building vs. renting wet lab space in Ontario and how coworking labs can accelerate your biotech startup's growth.