ISCM introduces pilot program to match small firms with publicly funded research

A novel pilot program designed to match the technology needs of smaller firms with expertise in publicly funded research institutions is hoping that its initial success will convince other organizations to replicate its unique approach to technology adoption. The R&D Partnerships Program (RDPP) was launched early this year by the Innovation Synergy Centre in Markham (ISCM). It has lined up dozens of researchers at nearly 20 research institutions across Ontario and is dealing with 60 companies that are seeking research expertise to improve existing products and processes.

By positioning itself as a conduit between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the technology transfer offices of universities and government labs, the RDPP hopes to convince companies that accessing specific technologies from participating institutions will give them competitive advantage. ISCM is a not-for-profit organization that is positioning itself as a business advisory and match making service.

The RDPP is aimed at firms with at least $2 million in sales and more than 25 employees, cash flow and established sales and marketing channels. Studies have shown that, while these firms may be able to benefit from new technologies and processes, they often don't have the depth or financial resources to generate the technology on their own. Conversely, universities have been the beneficiaries of considerable investment in research capacity since the late 90s and are a rich source of research expertise and state-of-the-art equipment.

"We're absolutely focused on incremental technologies. Companies are protective of what they're doing internally and suspicious of working with universities. We have to overcome that," says ISCM president and CEO Bob Glandfield. "Companies are fixated on what they want to do and need to be exposed to ideas from institutions and access those resources … There's a lot of sorting out to find companies that are willing to investigate that kind of relationship. Our work in this area is unique."

NO-FEE SERVICE

RDPP is a no-fee service and ISCM does not take an equity position in any of the firms it assists. Its modus operandi is to make the connections and then step back and allow the two parties to negotiate the specifics of their collaboration.

To implement the program, ISCM has established a small team comprised of experienced sales personnel and headed by program leader Paul Rivett. Their task is to visit companies to explain the RDPP's function and determine whether the firms could benefit from collaborating with researchers in participating institutions.

"We're a match maker and head hunter combined. We distill the company's interest into a concise and clear statement and broadcast that to technology transfer offices at colleges and universities," says Rivett. "If a business depends on innovating products and processes, it should consider accessing research institutions to maintain competitive edge. Not all companies are ready to develop a new device or process but they may have an existing one that is experiencing resistance in the marketplace and needs to be modified."

FIRST COLLABORATION UNDERWAY

Although it's only been in operation since January, the RDPP has already identified several companies that are interested in pursuing a collaborative arrangement with one or more institutions. Three or four are currently talking to university researchers and scoping out projects, while a Toronto-based software firm — Empress Software Inc — has struck a partnership with York Univ's Centre for Vision Research (CSR) to launch the PLAYBOT project.

Empress develops and sells relational database management systems and wants to break into the field of computer vision and robotics. The PLAYBOT project will focus on developing a motorized wheelchair guided by human and robot vision. The Empress software will be used in the wheelchair's robot control architecture to store a library of commands, behaviour and visual signals for motion interaction between the wheelchair and its user.

By tapping into CSR's Laboratory for Active and Attentive Vision, Express hopes to develop expertise that will allow it to expand its applications into facial recognition systems used in surveillance or robotic devices that can be used for manufacturing or space exploration.. The laboratory and CSR is headed up by Dr John Tsotsos, a professor of computer engineering at York Univ and Canada Research Chair holder in computational vision.

Rivett says that many of the projects now being considered by companies through the RDPP are system-type projects involving multiple technologies that require collaboration with a number of researchers in related fields. Working on these collaborations is complex and time consuming, but the outcomes can result in firms with the technical capacity to break into new markets on a global scale.

Glandfield and Rivett are currently exploring new sources of funding to allow the RDPP to reach its full potential. The National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) currently funds ISCM to the tune of $400,000 annually and negotiations are underway to extend that support. They are also in negotiations with the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI) to see whether the program can be be expanded into other regions including the northern part of the province.

LOGICAL FIT WITH EMERGING PROVINCIAL NETWORK

The RDPP is a logical fit for the Ontario Commercialization Network which in turn links 11 Regional Innovation Networks now being established along the province's technology corridor from Ottawa to Windsor. Glandfield — on secondment from IRAP —says the intention is to prototype the RDPP and pass it along to other programs for use in other regions.

The Ontario government recently provided $5.9 million in funding to the emerging networks for FY06-07. Other commercialization funding includes entrepren- eurship and start-up support ($3.8 million), market readiness support ($5.6 million) and the Ontario Research Commercialization Program ($7 million).

ISCM is also looking to include foreign institutions to its list of organizations willing to partner with SMEs. Discussions are underway with International Trade Canada and Foreign Affairs Canada to identify appropriate institutions and initiate negotiations.

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