The project involves the development of an economic impact study and a marketing plan that will assist in developing a long-term strategic plan for 26 research parks across Canada, including a regional strategy for Fredericton’s Knowledge Park.
ACOA BDP will invest $70,250 while the Fredericton Knowledge Park is providing $10,000. Other contributors to this project include FedDev Ontario with $129,500; Agritech Park in Nova Scotia with $25,000 and other research parks across Canada with $82,750.
The Commercialization Environment for Advanced Learning Technologies (CEALT) offers entrepreneurs access to coaching, mentoring, and space, as well as the necessary tools for commercialization.
ACOA BDP is contributing $495,332 while Fredericton's Knowledge Park is providing $165,110 to support the costs of operations for the CEALT, including the hiring of an executive director. The Executive Director will oversee day-to-day operations and implement structured commercialization programs such as ACcelR8, a program that will foster entrepreneurial focused commercialization, and create sustainable business growth in the province.
The AIF funding in Fredericton will assist UNB to carry out three projects: develop hardware, software and MRI measurement tools to help detect and extract hydrocarbons, including oil and gas; develop an IT toolset to identify potential risks and threats to computer systems; and develop natural fibre-based wraps for pulp baling and carton box strapping, as a renewable and cost-effective packaging alternative.
In Moncton, AIF funding will help the Atlantic Canada Research Institute to study the loss of chromosome 3, which causes some cancers to be resistant to current treatments. AIF support will also help the Université de Moncton to validate the health benefits of Ahiflower oil as a possible dietary supplement.
A decade after starting as a research project at Holland College in Charlottetown, the Justice Knowledge Network is being spun off into a for-profit eLearning company called JKN Inc.
Executive Director Sandy Sweet said in an interview yesterday that Charlottetown-based JKN incorporated about three months ago and is in the process of becoming a private company designed to harvest profits for its single shareholder, Holland College. The company, which now has about 20 employees, is eagerly developing new markets for its eLearning systems outside of its traditional base of programs for law enforcement.
“I would like to think that we’ll grow to 25 people in the next 12 to 18 months,”…
New support being provided under AIF will help BioVectra Inc. develop two generic drugs employing sustained-release delivery technology and Delivra Inc. to develop more effective topical creams to relieve joint pain and improve circulation. AIF support will also help Island Abbey Foods Ltd. research and develop ways to use innovative dehydrated honey to deliver a broad range of therapeutic products. All three companies are in Charlottetown.
These funds are part of a total $39.9 million investment for 17 projects in Atlantic Canada. The remaining 14 projects will be announced throughout New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador in the coming weeks.
High-potential companies in Atlantic Canada now have more access to the funds they need to grow and compete in the international marketplace. Build Ventures, a privately managed venture capital fund was launched May 14, and is actively seeking investment opportunities throughout the Atlantic provinces.
The Build Ventures fund now stands at $48.5-million, with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick contributing $15-million each, and P.E.I. putting in $2.5-million. Technology Venture Corp. of Moncton is contributing $5-million and BDC Venture Capital, an arm of the Crown-owned Business Development Bank of Canada, is contributing $10-million. Build Ventures will invest between $1-million and $5-million on each venture. Patrick Keefe and Rob Barbara will manage the fund.
Canada’s Smartest Kitchen will purchase new, state-of-the-art equipment with funding recently announced in Charlottetown.
The equipment will help Holland College conduct further research on functional foods, gluten free, healthy nutrition, seafood, and beverage innovation. Through this project they will also be working to identify opportunities with potential business partners and clients that align with these research areas.
ACOA’s Business Development Program, has invested $102,905 to help with the purchase and Holland College has invested an additional $34,302 to purchase the equipment.
Two St. Francis Xavier University nursing professors are delving into research that could lead to changes in public health policy across Canada.
Dr. Charmaine McPherson is leading a team in a research project that examines a provincial policy initiative focused on leadership in healthy equity. This study should help strengthen public health services across Canada as practitioners work with vulnerable people. Dr. McPherson is also working with Dr. Donna MacDougall, another StFX nursing professor and researcher, to examine a recent public health influenza vaccination policy issue in British Columbia.
"The refocused NRC will provide Canadian industries with access to strategic research and development, technical services and specialized scientific infrastructure they need to succeed," says the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology).
Saint Mary’s University’s Masters of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation program, which will launch this autumn, has already accepted eight students and is still receiving applications.
The Halifax university hosted its official launch of the program at the Sobey School of Business on May 6th, 2013, and program head Dawn Jutla said she’s delighted with the eight students in the program so far.
“The quality has far exceeded our expectations,” said Jutla, saying some applicants have already landed patents on products they want to commercialize, while others have already started businesses or have other degrees.
