Topic: SMEs

Access to innovation spurs regional diversification and growth

Cluster development is essential for community survival and development. It can help diversify industry to ensure communities are not overly reliant on one sector, while creating an ecosystem that simultaneously stimulates the growth of Canadian SMEs and attracts international players to the area. A case study of the Sarnia-Lambton region highlights both the necessity of thinking long-term about regional cluster development, and the active part that colleges play in cluster building through efforts such as providing infrastructure, bringing together partners, and providing research and development (R&D) for SMEs.

Innovative Solutions Canada launches three new challenges to Canadian SMBs

Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) minister Navdeep Bains has announced a new round of challenges through the federal procurement program Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC). Launched late last year, ISC is designed to support R&D at small and mid-size businesses by inviting them to create products that answer specific government needs or requests. Winning businesses…

Alberta offers new incentives to cut industrial methane emissions

The Alberta government’s new Methane Emissions Reduction Program will provide small and medium-sized oil and gas companies with incentives of up to $250,000 per year, per facility for energy-efficiency upgrades to reduce global-warming methane emissions. Administered by Energy Efficiency Alberta, the program is designed for facilities in Alberta that don’t exceed more than 40,000 barrels…