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Quebec is home to a new seed and early-stage technology venture fund with strong ties to Silicon Valley. Garage Technology Ventures Canada (GTVC) LP has completed its initial closing of $50 million and aims to raise $100 million through a second closing later this year, making it a major player in an area of technology funding that is currently under-served.

Matter of national urgency

A select group of Canadian business leaders is urging the federal government to consider spending up to $1.1 billion on a suite of commercialization-related initiatives designed and monitored by an industry-led Commercialization Board (CPB).

Quebec government invests $50.4 million

Genome Quebec has struck a major research collaboration with Merck Frosst Canada potentially worth more than $15 million and secured $50.4 million from the Quebec government, boosting its capacity for contributing to the development Quebec’s life sciences sector with an emphasis on human health.

The new Conservative government is dusting off the Liberal innovation strategy and is preparing its own version in time for the next election. A small group in Industry Canada has been given the task of developing an S&T Framework with input from the S&T ADM Committee for release this fall.

This year’s recipients of the Killam Prizes have been announced, recognizing career achievements in the sciences and humanities. Each researcher receives a $100,000 award.

* Dr Paul Corkum is program leader in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Science at the National Research Council.

The launch of Genome Alberta signals the further evolution of Canada’s regional genome centres by placing greater emphasis on provincial priorities and participation in research projects regardless of their location and funding sources.

Endorsement of public-private funding model

Fundamental research in Ontario has been given an enormous boost with $150-million in public-private investment in two Waterloo-based institutes, with the potential for up to $150 million more if the federal government steps up to the plate.

Budget labelled a “deception”

Quebec’s new innovation council is facing mass defections in the wake of the March 23rd provincial Budget, with five resignations already submitted and more anticipated in the coming days.

Grooming networks for full NCE status

The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program is expanding its focus with the creation of five-so-called mini-NCEs that place a strong emphasis on knowledge translation.

“The Asia Pacific Connection: Exploiting Western Canada’s Edge in the Knowledge Economy”
May 18, 2006 in Vancouver

Find out how to leverage Western Canada’s R&D-intensive industries, the resource sector, excellent research base and education institutions to take advantage of the rapid growth in China, India and other Asian countries.