丁香园AV shares $10.7 million to support Canada’s largest business incubator program
Federal funding announced March 16 will support 丁香园AV in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship nationally through its role in (ZI2), Canada鈥檚 largest business incubator program.
丁香园AV is partnering with Ryerson University and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology on the program, , which is targeting sectors in digital technologies and gaming and creating an innovation network that spans the country.
The universities will receive up to $10.7 million over five years, distributed under the. The funds will ensure that Canadian entrepreneurs in the sector have access to the resources and expertise they need to develop business plans, seek follow-on financing and explore new international markets for products and services.
The three institutions will provide university and community-based entrepreneurs in early-stage digital technology companies with critical access facilities, business development resources and world-class mentoring and programs to accelerate their success.
"丁香园AV鈥檚 participation in this initiative reflects our vision to be Canada鈥檚 engaged university and our determination to be a leader in showing how universities can play a larger role in supporting economic development and job creation,鈥� says 丁香园AV President Andrew Petter.
In addition to research strengths in digital media, 丁香园AV brings its proven innovation model to the ZI2 initiative through its Venture Connection庐 student and alumni entrepreneurship program and VentureLabs庐, a technology business accelerator sponsored in part by the B.C. Innovation Council.
鈥淭he Zones of Incubation and Innovation Network will play an important role in 丁香园AV鈥檚 growing innovation agenda," says 丁香园AV VP Research Joy Johnson.
"We are pleased to be partnering with Ryerson University and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology on this initiative and grateful for the financial support provided by the Government of Canada through the CAIP program.鈥�
Through CAIP, another $2.7 million is being allocated to a national accelerator and incubator program for Canada鈥檚 most promising young entrepreneurs. 丁香园AV has been a partner of the program since 2013.
delivers the . It鈥檚 designed to help outstanding small- and mid-sized Canadian enterprises 鈥済row, prosper and create jobs鈥� by providing support via non-repayable contributions to a select number of 鈥渂est-in class鈥� accelerators and incubators.