Government of Canada Helps Southern Ontario Businesses Innovate and Grow

OSHAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 12, 2011) - The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, today announced a one-year extension of the Applied Research and Commercialization initiative, creating jobs and economic growth in the region. Minister Goodyear, accompanied by Oshawa Member of Parliament Colin Carrie, made the announcement while celebrating partnerships established through the initiative between the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and 13 small southern Ontario businesses.

"Our government has responded to the specific needs of small businesses in southern Ontario with this initiative," said Minister Goodyear. "To date, more than 300 companies have partnered with colleges and universities to develop market-driven ideas, and with the funding announced today, hundreds more businesses will be able to innovate and grow."

Since its launch in 2010 as a two-year pilot, the Applied Research and Commercialization initiative has supported 24 colleges, universities and polytechnics across southern Ontario to work with the private sector to bring new products to the marketplace faster. The extension, with funding of up to $15 million, will enable these 24 post-secondary institutions to apply for additional support to assist even more businesses while their current projects are being completed and evaluated.

Under the Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative, UOIT has partnered with small and medium-sized businesses on activities such as applied research, engineering design, technology development, product testing, and certification.

"The partnerships between the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and 13 small and medium-sized businesses are excellent examples of what is being done to stimulate innovation in southern Ontario," said MP Carrie. "We look forward to seeing Oshawa and surrounding areas prosper as a result of these projects."

"Strategic research funding supports our ability to help build economic capacity and foster important, innovative collaborations involving local businesses, our researchers and students," said Dr. Tim McTiernan, UOIT President. "On behalf of UOIT, I would like to thank the Government of Canada for their investment in the development of these applied research projects. Working together, we are able to pair business with research expertise. This provides our students with rich learning opportunities, while exploring the development of new innovations and products that have the potential to grow business and benefit society."

For more information on the Applied Research and Commercialization initiative and the UOIT's private sector partners, please refer to the backgrounder.

Created in 2009, FedDev Ontario supports the southern Ontario economy by building on the region's strengths and creating opportunities for jobs and economic growth. The Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to encourage partnerships and support projects that help the region's businesses and communities become more competitive, innovative and diversified. To learn more, visit www.feddevontario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.

BACKGROUNDER

Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative

The Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative helps small and medium-sized businesses in southern Ontario access applied research and development and pre-commercialization expertise found in post-secondary institutions.

FedDev Ontario is providing the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) with up to $739,000 to partner on projects with the following 13 businesses:

Company		Location		Website
Aquavion		Ajax		http://www.seastryder.com/
The Cableshoppe		Toronto		http://www.thecableshoppe.com/
Drinkbox Studios		Toronto		http://www.drinkboxstudios.com/
Durmach		Bowmanville		Website not available
Enginuity Group Corporation		Toronto		http://www.enginuitygroup.com/
Enviroquest		Cambridge		http://www.enviroquestltd.com/
Innovative Solutions		Oshawa		http://www.innovativesolutionsinc.ca/
Marnoch Thermal Power Inc.		Port Severn		http://www.marnochthermalpower.com/
Nessis		Hampton		http://www.nessis.ca/
Phirelight Security Solutions Inc.		Ottawa		http://www.phirelight.com/
Segasist Technologies		Toronto		http://www.segasist.com/
Solana Networks		Nepean		http://www.solananetworks.com/
Unitrak		Port Hope		http://www.unitrak.com/

For further information on the partnerships between UOIT and the above businesses, please visit the UOIT website or contact:

Szanne McNutt, MBiotech

Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization, UOIT

905-721-8668 ext. 2699

szanne.mcnutt@uoit.ca