Springboard takes research to the market

Sara Jane Snook outlined programs and services Springboard will offer to researchers and businesses.
Senator Wilfred Moore, attending on behalf of ACOA Minister Joseph McGuire, spoke on the important role of research in Atlantic Canada's economic growth.
Dr. Ronald Layden, executive director of the Industry Liaison and Innovation Office, wants Dalhousie to take a leading role in the Springboard network.

Nova Scotia and other Atlantic provinces have long been criticized for lagging behind other regions when it comes to research commercialization. But bringing research from the lab to the marketplace just got easier for Atlantic universities, thanks to the launch of Springboard, a new region-wide, university-led research network.

Dalhousie hosted a special event on June 12 to announce Springboard and its objectives to business and industry leaders, entrepreneurs and media in Nova Scotia. Dalhousie president Dr. Tom Traves, Senator Wilfred Moore on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Dr. Ronald Layden, executive director of Dalhousie's new Industry Liaison and Innovation Office, and Springboard's executive director Sara Jane Snook were on hand to introduce the network.

"Springboard will help bring research to the marketplace in Atlantic Canada-and that is something ACOA has wanted to do for some time," said Senator Moore on behalf of Minister McGuire. "Commercialization of research is not just a worthwhile target, it's an essential goal."

That "essential goal" is shared by Dalhousie's revitalized Industry Liaison and Innovation Office. "Research is good business," Dr. Layden pointed out. "Dalhousie has made a major commitment to commercialization with its new Industry Liaison and Innovation Office, which is expected to play a leading role in Springboard."

Comprised of 14 universities throughout Atlantic Canada, Springboard's mission is to promote effective technology transfer and to facilitate commercialization of university-based research. Ms. Snook explained, "Springboard is working to accelerate the commercialization process for Atlantic university research and development so it will include more disclosures to university tech transfer offices, more opportunities to market and license technologies to industry and entrepreneurs, opportunities to connect with industry, and more new companies started based on technologies researched and developed at Atlantic Universities."

To accomplish these goals, Springboard has received support from ACOA under the Atlantic Innovation Fund. Over three years, the network will receive $3.6 million to provide a variety of programs and services to universities and their industry partners.

These programs include an online database of research projects available for licensing, and professional development for university technology transfer and industry liaison offices. Springboard will also offer proof-of-concept, patenting and legal funds for university researchers, to accelerate the commercialization process, as well as opportunities to share resources between universities.

For more information about Springboard and its program, visit www.springboardatlantic.ca.