At a time when economies across the world are grappling with problems, Canada’s Ontario province is busy establishing its identity as a region where innovation and entrepreneurship obtain wholehearted support. This is important for Canada as a whole, as Ontario houses 38% of its population and contributes 41% of its $1.7 trillion GDP. Although one may wonder what is new in a state government promoting entrepreneurship to generate economic growth and employment, the difference lies in approach and execution. The government of Ontario has created an entire ecosystem under the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) to seamlessly support innovators who are working to turn great ideas into globally-competitive products and services. It provides all the hand-holding that innovators need all the way ranging from attracting talent, idea generation, research and development, financing and mentoring to the final step of commercialisation. The secret of success lies in the ability to tie-up the industry needs with research. “We have achieved phenomenal success in actively identifying specific industry challenges and connecting them with the right academic researchers who are on the verge of big breakthroughs in related areas,” says Tom Corr, president and CEO of Ontario Centres of Excellence.
That role continues to be crucial because industry often does not know about all of the research underway at universities and colleges there and how it can impact their businesses. “It is our job to walk the halls of the research institutions and find out what’s going on, because industry cannot ask for what they do not know about. We also identify industry challenges and aim to find solutions to filltheir specific needs,” he says. OCE certainly has impressive statistics to support its success story. In fact, in the last one year alone, OCE invested $21.1 million (. 116 crore) in 477 research, commercialisation and talent projects that attracted $40.7 million (. 225 crore) in investment from industry partners.
Also, 19 patents and 16 new technology licences were granted with OCE support, while 111 patent applications were submitted.
Things were never always like this. Twenty-five years ago, the traditional economic foundation for the province, and for Canada, was shifting from a North American-focused and commodities-based economy to a globally-oriented and knowledge-based economy. There was limited connection between universities, colleges, research hospitals and industry. Quality research being produced by the academic and research institutions was not being utilised to its full potential.
Now OCE has become a provincial coordinator for industry-academia collaboration programmes. It is also a key partner in delivering Ontario’s innovation agenda.
OCE funds various research projects and activities out of the funds received as grant revenue from Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, and from industry and other contributors. OCE also administers the Industry Academic Collaboration Program, which is designed to leverage the full capacity of Ontario’s research institutions to help technology-based companies create jobs and prosperity by commercialising Ontario-based research discoveries. Advanced manufacturing, health technologies, energy and environment are seen as promising sectors.
“All OCE’s investments are made with industry partners who co-invest with us. They are committed to matching and, in most cases, exceeding the initial funding provided by OCE,” notes Mr Corr. This is perhaps the most important aspect since ability to attract industrial funding is the key test of R&D success. “It is an incredible value for companies, providing them with the opportunity to develop top-tier intellectual property and to work with talented researchers. Such collaborations form lasting partnerships that drive industry research, help create companies and generate jobs and economic prosperity.”
Canada is already well-known as the birthplace of several important innovations of the 20th century such as insulin, Canadarm that repairs spaceships, the Imax movie screens, stem cells and 3D software. Programmes such as OCE are bound to create future success stories for this North American nation.
“I see OCE as a catalyst that advances innovation by helping to ensure that the great discoveries coming from our colleges and universities become the cutting-edge technologies that will help establish Ontario as a world leader in several sectors. OCE will continue to build on its strengths by building economic prosperity and jobs for the province of Ontario,” says Mr Corr. Surely, every country or state government would like to adopt this goal.
(The author visited Toronto, Canada, at the invitation of the Ontario ministry of economic development and innovation)
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