Author: Mark Henderson

Entrepreneurs and innovators succeed when they work effectively together

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There has been a tendency in recent policy papers to argue that a focus on entrepreneurship is the answer to Canada’s weak innovation performance. There is no academic study to back this assertion and if interested parties to pursue this myth, it will inevitably lead to confusion. Not only do entrepreneurship skills not equate to innovator skills, but rather entrepreneurs often rely on innovators to successfully carry out their projects.

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Using research findings to design a better SBIR for Canada

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Among the innovation-related initiatives announced in Budget 2017 is Innovative Solutions Canada, a $50 million program inspired by the US Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Recent research has shed new light on the effectiveness of the US SBIR program, and suggests that Canada may be able to design a superior program by offering modest levels of support to young companies in emerging sectors, and letting the private sector fund provide follow-on financing.

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City of Toronto launches Civic Innovation Office, announces first project

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The City of Toronto has formally launched a new Civic Innovation Office and announced its first project during the inaugural Elevate Toronto technology festival last week. The three-person team led by director Paula Kwan is currently looking for a partner that can make Toronto’s 311 service access portal more responsive to users. The hotline receives…

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Steve Xanthoudakis

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Steve Xanthoudakis has been appointed chief business development officer for CQDM, a non-profit biopharmaceutical research consortium and an industrial research cluster with a mission to fund projects which accelerate the development of drugs. Xanthoudakis has more than 25 years of biopharma experience including senior research scientist and director of global business development & licensing for…

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Neptec wins $11.9-million contract for new sensor suite

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Neptec Design Group has been awarded an $11.9-million contract by the Canadian Space Agency to design a vision sensor suite for the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled to launch in 2021. The new vision system will be operated from the Canadian-made Dextre Robotic arm and provide critical services to the ISS, inspecting exterior surfaces of the ISS…

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Ontario invests $8.25 million to boost Apotex productivity

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Apotex, Inc, Toronto, has secured up to $8.25 million from the Ontario government to allow the pharmaceutical company to expand its product lines and enhance its productivity. The grant represents a portion of Apotex’s total investment of $222.7 million for the project, which is expected to be completed in 2022 and will add 325 jobs…

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Ontario fund seeks innovative projects in clean tech

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The Ontario government is investing $26 million in a new Low Carbon Innovation Fund (LCIF) for clean tech projects to help firms reduce their greenhouse emissions. The funding has been earmarked for projects that will use emerging and innovative technologies in the areas of alternative energy generation and conservation, new biofuels or bioproducts, next-generation transportation…

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Researchers in BC form network to share resources, connect with stakeholders

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Applied research institutions in British Columbia have formed a network to collaborate and connect with community organizations and businesses. The British Columbia Applied Research and Innovation Network (BCARIN) marked the launch of their network with a website and network portal, www.bcarin.ca, created and maintained by students with the Douglas College Digital Cultures Lab. Through the…

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New website to tally salmon count in Miramichi River

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Researchers at the University of New Brunswick recently launched a website to raise public awareness on the revival of Atlantic salmon stocks in the Miramichi River. The website, www.castsalmon.com, will be linked to underwater sonar cameras to determine the daily salmon count for better information management.  The project, called the Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar (ARIS),…

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Sepset study to fast track diagnosis of sepsis

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Sepset Biosciences Inc has started a multi-country and multi-center clinical study to develop faster and more accurate identification of patients afflicted with sepsis. The study is expected to assist in validating and refining the proprietary gene signature of Sepset, which is a spin-out of the Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD). A successful development…

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