NINT Innovation Centre Focused on Commercialization

Western Economic Diversification Canada Invests in Nanotechnology Commercialization

(October 12, 2005 – Edmonton, Alberta) — The Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), today officially announced a Government of Canada commitment of $3.8 million to the University of Alberta for the National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT)’s Innovation Centre. The centre will be located on the 4th floor of the National Research Council (NRC) National Institute for Nanotechnology.

The NINT Innovation Centre will attract and facilitate commercialization of nanotechnology and other technologies that benefit from being in proximity to NRC and the University of Alberta nano-scale facilities. Nanotechnology applies atomic, molecular science to develop or create structures, devices and systems that have innovative properties given their minute size. A nanometer is one billionth of a metre.

The Government of Canada’s investment in the NINT Innovation Centre is aimed at building Canada’s national system of innovation and fostering development of community-based technology cluster, which will draw in more national and international investment and attract highly skilled professionals to Alberta.

“The NINT Innovation Centre presents an excellent opportunity for new and existing companies to grow and gain access to emerging markets through new nano-applications,” said Minister McLellan. “The commercialization of intellectual property developed at the centre will enable further research and, in doing so, increase prosperity in the across Western Canada.”

"Taking great ideas and creating new products and services is a key goal of Alberta's long term strategy for unleashing innovation in the province," said Victor Doerksen, Minister of Alberta Innovation and Science. "The NINT Innovation Centre is a welcome addition to our province's strong foundation of world-class researchers and facilities."

The National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) is a partnership initiative between the National Research Council, the University of Alberta, the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta. This partnership was created to bring together the discovery-based research from the University of Alberta with the managed innovation and commercialization approach of the National Research Council.

“The Innovation Centre will build on NRC’s long history of helping commercialize research. Having this Centre as part of the first class facilities at our National Institute for Nanotechnology, will help Canada realize the full potential of our investment in this key sector,” said Dr. Pierre Coulombe, President of the National Research Council (NRC).

"We welcome this investment and commend the Minister for his vision," said Dr. Indira Samarasekera, president of the University of Alberta. "The Innovation Centre is a vital link in transferring the knowledge of our researchers to the community, where it can benefit society."

Western Economic Diversification Canada’s $3.8 million investment will go towards finishing construction and designing of the fourth floor of the NINT Building, as well as outfitting and furnishing for-lease offices and labs.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in Budget 2005.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Shannon Jones
Communications Advisor
National Institute for Nanotechnology
National Research Council
(780) 492-8636

Backgrounder

NINT Innovation Centre

• This centre will be positioned to attract newly formed ‘nano industry’ enterprises for research and development of nanotechnology for commercialization activities.
• Given the proximity of the Innovation Centre to over $50 million worth of world-class nanoscale characterization facilities located on the University of Alberta campus, companies that lease space in the NINT Innovation Centre will be able to access and leverage Canada’s most intensive nanotechnology environment.
• Start-up and existing companies will be able to find partners and collaborators within the Centre and on campus, which will enhance their own abilities to develop nano-enabled products for their existing value chains.
• Non-local companies and international organizations will have an opportunity to lease space and set up physical labs, offices, or business presence.
• Given the proximity to a high concentration of nanotechnology expertise, companies will have access to training, opportunities to engage with highly qualified people as prospective new hires, and gain access to mentorship services through TEC Edmonton.

Project Costs & Funding

• WD’s $3.8 million investment in the NINT Innovation Centre has been directed towards finishing construction and designing of the fourth floor, as well as outfitting and furnishing for-lease offices and labs.
• The Province of Alberta contributed $1,897,500 towards construction of the fourth floor.
• The total project funding for the NINT Innovation Centre is $5,683,040.