Established in 2004, the NSERC Innovation Challenge Awards were awarded as a way to encourage students pursuing graduate studies in the natural sciences or engineering to develop their entrepreneurial spirit. The awards successfully helped student entrepreneurs on the road to achieving their goals: around twenty start-up companies were established; and more than 80% of those who received the award said it had a positive influence on their career. As there are now many award options available to budding entrepreneurs, the NSERC Innovation Challenge Awards are no longer available.