New Brunswick's BioSciences CommunityCompaniesResearch OrganizationsDevelopment OrganizationsTechnology transfer, allied industry and scientific associations Other Canadian BioSciences Associations and Commercialization Agencies Government of Canada Continues its Support of Springboard - Allowing Atlantic Canada's Post-Secondary Institutions to Maintain Excellence in Technology Transfer
August 31, 2011Moncton (NB) - Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions will receive continued support in moving their cutting-edge research and development (R&D) from the lab to the marketplace, thanks to an $8.5 million federal investment in Springboard Atlantic Inc. (Springboard). Established seven years ago, Springboard is a not-for-profit organization that supports the commercialization of research in Atlantic Canada. It provides resources to 19 post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada to encourage the transfer of knowledge to the private sector. This includes fourteen universities and five provincial community colleges.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, August 31, at the Université de Moncton by the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie.
Springboard has achieved a solid track record in rapidly accelerating a culture of technology transfer to Atlantic institutions of higher education, and has also been instrumental in developing a uniform approach across a diverse suite of academic institutions, including some of the most established in Canada. Springboard builds upon the existing commercialization efforts under way at post-secondary institutions across Atlantic Canada by providing overall coordination and by filling gaps in the current array of activities. Since 2004, Springboard has played a key role in 19 new spinoffs, 88 licensing deals with industry and more than $3 million in contracts with industry.
"Bringing new ideas to the marketplace and competing successfully in a global economy takes skill, talent, and commitment, and this investment will enable Springboard and its member institutions to ensure that this expertise is utilized and shared across Atlantic Canada's university and college network, while further promoting commercialization and industry engagement across the region," said Springboard Executive Director, Chris Mathis.
The funding will be used to increase industry engagement in the commercialization of research through workshops and networking events; increase member cooperation, including inter-institutional technology transfers; enhance institutional and central office accountability and transparency; and increase promotion of Springboard's role in the region. The funding will also enable the creation of an Innovation Mobilization Program that will provide funding to support technology development, the implementation of marketing initiatives, the engagement of community partners on projects, and the support of start-up enterprises.
This federal investment is made under ACOA's Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF). ACOA has committed close to $709 million in AIF funding to 279 highly innovative R&D projects in Atlantic Canada over the past 10 years, valued at over $1.5 billion. The fund has been an important catalyst for many Atlantic Canadian businesses, universities and research institutions, creating close to 760 partnerships to help commercialize innovative ideas, products and services. In Budget 2010, the Government of Canada provided permanent and ongoing funding to the AIF.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.canadaeast.com/rss/article/1436650
http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/cityregion/article/1436383
http://www.springboardatlantic.ca/
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