The Short Report – November 22, 2022: Feds order Chinese divestment in critical minerals; new cybersecurity task force; Canada in top 15 “talent competitive” countries, open science awards, and more
Organization: Innovate Calgary
The Short Report – July 6, 2022: Funding to address trauma in frontline workers, a name change for the superclusters initiative, topping up patient-oriented research in Sask. and Manitoba, a new ED for SNOLAB, and more.
Ottawa invests more than $28 million to address PTSD and trauma in frontline and essential workers; the supercluster program gets a name change from Minister Champagne; patient-oriented research funding for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Dr. Jody Cooley is appointed new ED at SNOLAB, and more.
The Short Report – March 31, 2021: Canadian government invests $925 million in biomanufacturing, funding for variants research, a new digitalization centre, and more
Ottawa announces major funding to expand Sanofi Pasteur’s Ontario facility for domestic biomanufacturing and vaccine preparedness; there’s new funding support for COVID-19 variants research and a new national network, and Siemens launches its first centre to accelerate the digitalization of energy and infrastructure in Canada.
UCalgary creates first Canadian investment fund for child health startups
The University of Calgary has created Canada’s first pre-seed and seed-stage investment fund for spinoffs focused on child health. The new “UCeed” investment program also includes one of the country’s few private equity funds managed by students.
Calgary wants MaRS to complement its innovation ecosystem, not add competition
Toronto-based MaRS Discovery District has proposed expanding some of its innovation components to Calgary. However, key players involved in exploratory talks say the $60-million “MaRS West” initiative will need to complement, not compete with, Calgary’s existing innovation entities and ecosystem.
Edmonton and Calgary launch “Alberta Innovation Corridor” to grow startups
Alberta’s two largest cities are teaming up to multiply their tech startups. Through the new innovation corridor, they will coordinate programs and services, collaborate on marketing and policy recommendations, and focus on securing early-stage funding for startups.