ACOA’s Approach to
Commercialization
Presentation to Genome Canada
September 27, 2011
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Why Focus on Commercialization?
•
Commercialization contributes and enhances
economic benefits and enables firms to be
more competitive;
•
ACOA has invested over $900M in R&D-related
projects under its innovation programming;
and
•
Investing in commercialization will increase
the likelihood of success of those projects.
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Atlantic Canada Commercialization
Challenges
• Lack of management expertise/experienced
CEOs;
• Attraction/retention of HQPs (marketing and
technical);
• Access to capital;
• Access to latest market intelligence; and
• Better customer/end-user engagement earlier in
the innovation process.
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ACOA’s Approach to
Commercialization
• Springboard Atlantic;
• AIF Commercialization Framework;
• Saint Mary’s University Commercialization
Accelerator Program;
• First Angel Network;
• Business Development Program assistance for
marketing, trade and innovation; and
• Productivity and Business Skills Initiative.
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Springboard Atlantic Inc.
• Springboard Atlantic is a network of 19 Atlantic
universities and colleges;
• The network’s objectives include:
•
•
•
•
Increase commercialization of research within
Network;
Liaises with industry and facilitates industry sponsored
research;
Supports the creation of new companies based on
platform technologies; and
Markets and licenses technologies to industry and
entrepreneurs.
• Currently in Phase III of project with an $8.5
million contribution over three years.
Investing in Innovation
Investir dans l’innovation
AIF Commercialization Framework
• $5M/3-year AIF Commercialization Framework
established in 2008;
• Pillars of Framework include:
• Commercialization Consulting program;
• Investor readiness training and access to
international markets;
• Commercialization Training/Coaching project;
and
• Strategic sector/cluster support.
• Framework activities are currently being reviewed
to determine potential projects for renewal.
6
Investing in Innovation
Investir dans l’innovation
Other ACOA Commercialization Support
Saint Mary’s University Commercialization
Accelerator Program
• Collaboration between SMU and MIT Sloan School
of Business to provide Atlantic Canadian
companies with CEO level mentoring.
7
Investing in Innovation
Investir dans l’innovation
Other ACOA Commercialization Support
(cont’d)
First Angel Network
• Not-for-profit organization with the mandate of
bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and
capital in Atlantic Canada through
communication, education and networking.
8
Investing in Innovation
Investir dans l’innovation
Other ACOA Commercialization Support
(cont’d)
Business Development Program (BDP)
supports:
• Development and use of new or improved
technology or products in regional SMEs;
• Marketing costs to encourage SMEs to secure
additional marketing expertise, develop plans for
improved sales, and to develop national and
export markets;
• Development and adoption of better business and
technical skills in SMEs to increase
competitiveness (Productivity and Business Skills
Initiative).
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ACOA Commercialization Strategy
• Commercialization was identified by the Agency
as a priority area during the last Program
Renewal exercises (2008-2010);
• Work on the development of an ACOA
commercialization strategy began in May 2010;
and
• Allowed the Agency to review its
commercialization activities and address areas
of challenge.
AIF Results to Date
• Fostering private sector commitment in S&T:
Close to 760 partnerships created; private sector
participation continues to be significant; and the
percentage of institutional projects with a private
sector partner has increased (100% in AIF VIII).
• Leveraging investments: Almost $850 million
leveraged from private sector, universities,
research institutes, and other gov’t programs.
• Magnet for talent: New scientists and
researchers are being attracted to Atlantic Canada
(over 1250 HQPs to date).
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AIF Results to date (cont.)
• Getting to Market: More than 250 technologies,
products, processes and services developed
through the AIF have been successfully
commercialized, resulting in just under $250
million in incremental sales (AIF Rounds I-IV).
• Strengthening the Knowledge Base: With
hundreds of technologies, products, processes
and services in progress (i.e. not yet
commercialized), there is significant
commercialization potential yet to be achieved for
AIF recipients as R&D projects from other rounds
are completed.
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Strategy Findings
Four key challenges related to commercialization:
1. Complexity of innovation/commercialization
programming;
2. Innovation/commercialization programming is
more focused on research and development
and less on commercialization;
3. Access to capital; and
4. Skills and experience gaps.
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Way Forward – Three Key Principles
• Fostering a culture of collaboration between
Atlantic Canadian commercialization players;
• Cohesive and balanced investments across the
innovation and commercialization spectrum;
and
• Fostering skills to effectively navigate the
commercialization process.