Author: Mark Henderson

RE$EARCH MONEY London FinTech Conference

Policies contributing to the United Kingdom’s globe-leading expertise in crowdfunding and other forms of alternative financing is gaining a lot of attention.

RE$EARCH MONEY London FinTech Conference

An influential report by Canadian-born Sherry Coutu is having a major impact on the way the UK government supports high-tech companies, shifting emphasis from start-ups to high-growth firms commonly known as scale-ups.

Green Party leader Elizabeth May has compiled an exhaustive "to-do list" for reversing what she says is the damage inflicted on Canada by the outgoing administration of prime minister Stephen Harper.

Six hubs may expand to eight

Canada is racing to pull the country’s disparate nanotech hubs together in a unified whole to catch up with the world’s leading nanotechnology nations. NanoCanada — officially launched earlier this year and currently applying for not-for-profit status — is positioning itself to be that unifying vehicle by emphasizing industry commercialization and connections between nanotechnology hubs across Canada and the globe.

Two $10-million funds launched

Quebec research-intensive information and communications technology (ICT) companies have access to two new funds that will provide them with refundable R&D tax credits far sooner than previously possible and at rates comparable to traditional financing sources.

CMC Microsystems has established a new network to help public and private sector researchers leverage equipment and expertise in academic micro- and nano-fabrication laboratories across the country. The FACT Services for R&D network aims to facilitate access to more than 35 open access labs to external users by emphasizing solid management structure, skilled technical staff and clarity around intellectual property.

The Science Integrity Project (SIP) has released a statement of principles for the use of sound science-backed decision-making in the midst of the federal election. While its backers say the timing is coincidental, the non-partisan group hopes they will prove beneficial in stimulating public debate on the importance of using science when developing sound policy and ultimately legislation.

Liberal, NDP support for LSVCCs a head scratcher

With the federal vote just days away, all of Canada’s four recognized national parties have released full campaign platforms with science, research and innovation being given at least lip service but never approaching status as a top priority issue.

Canadian industry will soon receive a uniform level of services and technological expertise from colleges and polytechnics with the creation of a new Technology Access Centres Network (TN) of 24 colleges and polytechnics across the country.

A boost to Toronto life sciences research

Johnson & Johnson is aiming to tap in to life sciences research in the Toronto region and beyond with the creation of a new incubator in the MaRS complex, aided by $19.