entrepreneurship Archives | Research & Innovation

Innovation 91��ɫ builds suite of services to support growth in research agreements

muellerm — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 10:00:00 +0000

With research agreements at 91��ɫ on the rise by approximately 54 per cent over the past six years, Innovation 91��ɫ is building a suite of comprehensive services to help researchers develop and obtain agreements on appropriate terms, in order to facilitate industry partnerships and commercialize innovation.

Now, with the introduction of an industry liaison manager and a commercialization manager to the unit, in addition to the existing research agreement staff, Innovation 91��ɫ is better able to develop relationships with companies at a much earlier stage in the research process in order to effectively facilitate research collaborations and the negotiation of agreement terms.

As the commercialization and industry liaison office for 91��ɫ, Innovation 91��ɫ offers services to faculty, trainees and industry within four service streams: agreements, industry liaison, commercialization, and entrepreneurship and start-up acceleration. Within the agreements stream, Innovation 91��ɫ manages the agreement process on behalf of researchers and 91��ɫ in order to effectively facilitate research projects and commercialize innovation.

Through the agreements stream, Innovation 91��ɫ works with the Office of the Counsel to negotiate with third parties in order to protect the researchers right to publish, protect confidential information, protect researchers from liability, clarify intellectual property rights for researchers and their students and ensure that the collaboration is aligned with university policies.

The number of research agreements at the University is on the rise. In 2006, 91��ɫ facilitated 226 research agreements compared to 348 in 2011. To date in 2012, 356 research agreements have been completed and $28 million in research funding has been transferred to 91��ɫ through research agreements managed by Innovation 91��ɫ.

“The increase in the number of research agreements at 91��ɫ is a good indication of the growth in research activity,” said Robert Haché (right), 91��ɫ’s vice-president research & innovation. “We are seeing a larger number of faculty members who are receiving funding and working in collaboration with external partners. Innovation 91��ɫ is committed to helping researchers facilitate these agreements, through its suite of comprehensive services.”

Agreements enable the receipt and transfer of funding, the sharing of research materials, data, and confidential information, participation in collaborative research projects, partnering with commercialization organizations and out-licensing innovations to industry.

The majority of the agreements executed by the Innovation 91��ɫ agreements stream are funding agreements, bringing money into the University for research projects. Of those funding agreements the following was the breakdown of funding sources for 2011:

Research agreements may be warranted when researchers want to send material to an external party, send information or data to an external party, send money to an external partner for participation in a research project (excluding the transfer of tri-council grant funding, which is completed by the Grants & Applications unit in the ORS), have a confidential conversation, or collaborate with another researcher or research partner.

For more information, contact Sarah Howe, director of Innovation 91��ɫ at showe@yorku.ca or ext. 20579.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.

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Professor Douglas Cumming: Angel investors' impact on the market is huge

fmaquito — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Compared to the rest of the world, it's fair to say that Canada has made a pretty good go of it in the aftermath of the financial crisis. Stocks have rebounded nicely, the loonie has climbed to near-parity and even though the economy has recently slowed, Canada has recovered much more swiftly than most other developed nations. But one area that desperately needs improvement is the country's long-troubled venture-capital market, , in a story about Toronto-based P2P Financial Inc. and its plan to help venture capital in Canada get back on its feet:

Since 2000, the amount of start-up financing provided by traditional sources in Canada, including private equity and labour-sponsored funds, has significantly dropped. Predictably, the total pales in comparison to the United States, a much more welcoming environment for small business. Canada's Venture Capital and Private-Equity Association reported the industry raised less than $1 billion in venture funds in 2009 compared to $3.9 billion in 2001. And the credit crunch has left Canadian banks even more risk-averse when it comes to small-business loans.

That has left private investors, or so-called "angels," to pick up the slack. Even then, jaded entrepreneurs quip, the best chance of striking a deal is an appearance on "," CBC's hit television show that brings them face-to-face with potential investors.

But Matthew McGrath, president of Toronto-based P2P Financial Inc., has a plan to help venture capital in Canada get back on its feet. Last September, the former Royal Bank vice-president launched P2Pfinancial.ca,a virtual marketplace that brings together accredited well-heeled individuals with would-be entrepreneurs seeking capital usually in the range of $25,000 to $1 million.

. . .

, a professor of finance and entrepreneurship [and Ontario Research Chair in Economics and Cross Cultural Studies] at 91��ɫ University's Schulich School of Business, says businesses such as P2P will play an increasingly important role in venture-capital markets, particularly as they develop and become better established. As they do, capital flows should free up and new mentoring relationships will be fostered between experienced business leaders and budding entrepreneurs.

"The importance of the angel investment market is huge and cannot be overstated," Cumming says. "Without it, the number of new successful innovations and patents generated in the country will remain well below potential."

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer, with files courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin

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Professor Alan Middleton: Small businesses should emphasize in-person contact over social media

fmaquito — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:00:00 +0000

Experts on entrepreneurs and marketing say there is no substitute for personal contact when launching a small business, and many successful business owners agree, wrote :

While Internet technology and social media such as Twitter and Facebook allow businesses to manage contacts and nurture important professional relationships, it’s the initial “handshake” that makes a lasting impression with retailers and consumers.

. . .

In fact, in-person interactions are the “single most powerful marketing medium,” says , marketing professor and executive director of 91��ɫ’s Schulich Executive Education Centre (SEEC). “Research in the business-to-business world suggests the No. 1 reason for selection of a supplier is the personality of the sales team or seller. This is above the technical specs, marketing form, anything else,” Middleton says.

Deliver on your promises, or risk tarnishing a business relationship built on trust. Enter your new contacts into a customer relationship management system, such as Salesforce, suggests Middleton, and follow up with e-newsletters, blogs, updates or even webinars.

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer, with files courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin

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United Way and 91��ɫ launch Change Inc. to address complex social issues in 91��ɫ Region

fmaquito — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Collaboration to incubate new ideas and support social entrepreneurs

and 91��ɫ have launched Change Inc., a collaboration that will incubate and invest in promising innovations to tackle complex social issues and build capacity in 91��ɫ Region.

Daniele Zanotti, CEO of United Way, and Stan Shapson, vice-president research & innovation at 91��ɫ, made the announcement at Deloitte’s head offices in Vaughan as part of United Way Week (Oct. 4 to 8).

“We are proud to announce Change Inc. − a critical strategy in United Way’s impact agenda − in collaboration with 91��ɫ and our advisory group of business leaders,” said Zanotti. “For our region to be great for all residents, we need a new infrastructure to incubate ideas and shift the way we solve social problems.”

“Change Inc. is transformative for 91��ɫ, for United Way and for capacity building in our community,” said Shapson. “Change Inc. will provide seed funding, space and support services to social innovators and entrepreneurs. It will provide better access to 91��ɫ’s research, graduate students and the programs − such as knowledge mobilization − that support their work with the region. It will match social innovators with business-leader mentors. This approach advances and broadens 91��ɫ’s innovation agenda, builds on our strong partnership with United Way, and engages 91��ɫ Region’s corporate leaders in social innovation, which is a persistent gap in Canada’s innovation agenda.”

Change Inc. will work with its Innovation Advisory Board, established in June, to actively develop a sustainable strategy. Co-chaired by Zanotti and Shapson, its current members include:
·         Charles Beer, board chair, United Way of 91��ɫ Region.
·         Anthony Gallo, vice-president, Social Media, OpenText
·         Pat Horgan, vice-president, Manufacturing, Development and Operations, IBM
·         Debora Kelly, editor-in-chief, 91��ɫ Region Media Group
·         Young Park, sector vice-president, CGI
·         Avi Pollock, head, Applied Innovation and Strategic Planning, RBC

“Change Inc. builds on the United Way’s Strength Investments announced earlier this week,” said Zanotti. “Together with our current program funding, Strength Investments and Change Inc. provide a continuum of support for people, groups and agencies doing good work across 91��ɫ Region.” Information about the .

“Congratulations to United Way, 91��ɫ and the business advisory board for disrupting the status quo with the announcement of Change Inc. − an opportunity to research, try and scale new ideas to address social challenges,” said Lorrie King, partner, , and member of the 2010 United Way Campaign Cabinet. “Deloitte is a champion of United Way and a champion of innovation. At Deloitte, innovation is at the very cornerstone of our corporate strategic directions, and our own leading-edge research, across all sectors, clearly identifies innovation as the driver of long-term success and sustainability.”

Over the coming months, Change Inc. will announce its office location and release information about a community innovation summit, pilot projects and funding opportunities.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin

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YORKbiotech and Schulich School of Business launch 2010 sanofi pasteur Healthcare and Biotechnology Venture Challenge

fmaquito — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Are you an innovator with a product or service relevant to the health-care industry? Are you having difficulty commercializing? Are you looking for professional help from world-class MBA students? Does competing for more than $10,000 in prize money and a chance to present your innovation to a panel of industry experts sound appealing?

We have your competition ready.

YORKbiotech presents the fourth annual (HBVC 2010) with 91��ɫ's .

Through the venture challenge, selected teams will design a fully utilizable commercialization plan, receiving expert feedback and the chance to glean indispensable knowledge from mentors throughout the competition.

For those seeking additional support, the HBVC also provides an opportunity to attend an educational seminar taught by Schulich faculty and experienced insiders. There participants will learn the basics of business plan writing, the features of a successful proposal and tips on presenting to potential investors.

Financial rewards are not all that HBVC 2010 has to offer; in fact we think it's the least important part. Curtis Caldwell, the 2008 grand prize winner, put it best when he said, "We knew we had a good idea, but had not determined the best way to commercialize it. The HBVC teamed us up with an experienced mentor and…we also benefited from pitching our plan and getting feedback from a panel of industry experts. The HBVC put us on the right track to start a business."

Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to take your innovation to the next level. If you're ready to commercialize, you're ready for HBVC.

For more information, visit the Web site. Registration applications are due by Sept. 17.

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High-school students get an inside look at science and research at 91��ɫ

fmaquito — Wed, 12 May 2010 08:00:00 +0000

On May 6, the Science in Action bus brought 30 high-school students from the 91��ɫ Region District School Board (YRDSB) to the University as part of a tour created to showcase the many opportunities that await these future scientists and entrepreneurs.

, along with the Regional Municipality of 91��ɫ, the Town of Markham and YRDSB organized the tour to educate students about the potential of medical and biotechnology research and development in the region. As part of their day, the students also visited IBM, Estée Lauder, Apotex, AMD Markham, MDS Sciex, Dalton Pharma Services, sanofi pasteur, 91��ɫ Central Hospital, Markham Stouffville Hospital and Seneca College at 91��ɫ, to see how successes of scientific and health innovation contribute to the quality of life of Canadians.

During their visit to 91��ɫ's Keele campus, the students, led by Emmanuel Matiya, a 91��ɫ student ambassador for the University's Recruitment Division, had the opportunity to tour the new Sherman Health Sciences Research Centre. The building, which is set to open this fall, is home to researchers in the health, science and engineering fields. Students toured the future labs of the Centre for Vision Research and learned how biomedical and assistive technology experiments will be conducted. With support from the Faculty of Health, the high-school students also visited the School of Nursing's resource centre to watch how nursing students can run clinical simulations on low- to high-fidelity mannequins.

“Setting the foundation for future entrepreneurship and scientific innovation is an important role that YORKbiotech plays in the growth of the bio-economy in the 91��ɫ Region,” said Janet LeClair, chief administrative officer of YORKbiotech Inc. “Through programs like the Science in Action tour we are able to demonstrate the value of collaboration by bringing students closer to research and business in various sectors.”

91��ɫ Region is in the heart of a hub of Ontario's innovative technology sector with over 120 companies involved in producing medical devices, biopharma and medical assistive devices. In addition, more than 900 companies in the information and communications technology, digital media, software and manufacturing sectors reside in the region.

YORKbiotech is a regional innovation network for biotechnology-related industries at the centre of the Greater Toronto Area. The mission of YORKbiotech is to act as a catalyst, harnessing the wealth of intellectual and technical resources to promote economic success and growth of the biotechnology and related industries as a key component of regional economic development. Read their about this event.

By Sana Mulji Dutt, research communications specialist, YORKbiotech.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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YORKbiotech announces winners of Sanofi pasteur Healthcare and Biotechnology Venture Challenge

fmaquito — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0000

What do you get when you match an inventor with a business student? Among many things, you get a commercialization plan for a new product or discovery that could potentially transform health care.

That was the case in YORKbiotech's sanofi pasteur Healthcare and Biotechnology Venture Challenge 2009 competition, which matched students enrolled in the MBA Program in 91��ɫ's Schulich School of Business with inventors of viable health-care inventions to devise market strategies and goals to commercialize new products. Industry mentors were on hand to offer teams advice and guidance. Each team consisted of two students working with product inventors and a mentor for a chance to win more than $17,000 in prizes.

Above: From left, Gavin Zealey (contest judge), scientist Arjen Bogaards and MBA students Dilip Chary and Saif Mohamed

The project, which started last fall, saw teams work with the inventors to learn about the product and then create a commercialization plan before Nov. 29, 2009.

In the final stage of the competition, three shortlisted teams pitched their invention commercialization plans to a panel of judges in a session that resembled an episode from “Dragons' Den”, the popular CBC Television venture-capitalist show. Industry experts Gavin Zealey, executive director of corporate development for sanofi pasteur Ltd.; Borys Chabursky, founder and president of SHI Consulting Inc.; and Janet Lambert, president & CEO with Lambert BioConsulting, served as the competition's judges.

The winners of the 2009 sanofi pasteur Healthcare & Biotechnology Venture Challenge are:

Sono Pharmaceuticals Inc., which placed first for its venture involving photodynamic therapy and sonodynamic therapy to produce an immune-therapeutic response to treat certain cancers. The team includes scientific entrepreneur Arjen Bogaards and MBA students Dr. Dilip Chary (who is also a family practitioner) and Saifuddin Tajuddin Mohamed. The team was awarded $7,500 and a business advisory package provided by MaRS Business Services, valued at $2,500.

Above: From left, Schulich Professor Amin Mawani, MBA students Aravind Petlu and Nilotpala Jena, and scientist Herman Lo

The second place award of $5,000 went to ViewsIQ Inc. for its real-time slide-scanning system for digital pathology. The product, named EyesIQ, is a diagnostic tool for scanning, storing and retracing pathologists' image data. The team included scientist Herman Lo and MBA students Aravind Petlu and Nilotpala Jena.

The team awarded third place and a cash prize of $2,500 was J. Strupat Technologies Ltd. for a portable pandemic ventilator life-critical system that provides mechanical assistance to individuals who are unable to breathe properly due to infection or physical damage. The team was comprised of scientist John Strupat and MBA students Darryl Baptiste and Akyljan Noupbaev.

Above: From left, Janet Lambert (contest judge), MBA students Akyljan Noupbaev and Darryl Baptiste, and scientist John Strupat

Fostering an entrepreneurial culture is integral to this competition, says Janet LeClair, chief administrative officer of , who organized the competition along with Schulich Professor Amin Mawani. “Such collaboration between scientific, business and academic communities is essential in connecting concept to commerce,” LeClair says. “The competition helps in identifying investment opportunities critical to move the economy forward.”

sanofi pasteur was the gold sponsor for the competition, MaRS and the Town of Markham were silver sponsors, while bronze sponsors were the Health Technology Exchange and 91��ɫ Region District School Board.

About YORKbiotech Inc.

YORKbiotech is a growing cluster of public- and private-sector members that promotes the convergence and commercialization of research and development in information & communications technologies and biomedical technologies.

Its members include biotechnology-related companies from Toronto through 91��ɫ Region to Simcoe County, along with service providers, industry associations, research and educational institutions, municipalities, hospitals and government.

It is one of 12 active clusters in , which supports partnerships among business, institutions and local governments to promote innovation. 91��ɫ is a founding member of YORKbiotech.

By Sana Mulji Dutt. Republished courtesy of YFile – 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

Thanks also to the .

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