 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
About CTN
The Canadian Technology Network links federal and provincial government labs and agencies, universities, community colleges, industry associations, technology centres and economic development agencies. Together these organizations provide innovative Canadian companies with quick and personal access to expertise, advice and information about how to meet technology and related business challenges.
Mission, Role, & Objectives
Mission: To provide integrated, accessible pathways to information and services relevant to small and medium-sized enterprises using technology.
Objectives:
- Encourage interdependency among existing providers of industrial support services, networks, sources of information, and expertise.
- To enhance the capacity of current networks by finding organizations that deliver services and expertise that compliment those already available.
- To provide better access to a network of regional, national, and international sources of expertise.
How CTN Works
The Canadian Technology Network can give SMEs access to a wide range of technology and related business assistance through a cross-country network of advisory and affiliate members.
CTN Advisory Members
A CTN Advisory Member is the first point of contact for SMEs. Each Advisory Member provides a Network Advisor who is prepared to work with you to help identify your needs and find solutions to your technology and related business challenges. The Network Advisor acts as a pathfinder, defining needs and identifying potential sources of assistance both from the network of CTN Affiliate Members and elsewhere.
Who are Advisors?
An advisor is someone who is employed by a CTN member organization known for its technology or related business competence. These advisors are linked together to optimize the identification and referral to delivery of the right advice or expertise needed to meet today's interactive business needs. An advisor will help you assess your company's needs, working with you on a confidential basis to quickly identify the most appropriate and cost-effective solution. There is no charge for the initial assessment and diagnosis; you choose if you wish to proceed.
Most frequently asked for expertise areas:
- Overall management: strategic, human resources, training, policies, and regulations
- Marketing management: development of markets and products, exporting
- Technology management: evaluation of technology, laboratory testing and development, identification of intellectual property
- Financial and business planning
CTN Affiliate Members
A CTN Affiliate Member is a selected organization that offers complementary services in specific areas of expertise in technology and related business. CTN Affiliate Members cover a wide spectrum of services that keep growing as new needs are identified and more members join in to serve SMEs. As appropriate, Affiliate Members may negotiate a fee for their services directly with SMEs.
IRAP's contribution to CTN
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
The Canadian Technology Network is an initiative of the National Research Council of Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP). IRAP is committed to assisting the CTN as a key facilitator of exchanges and collaborative agreements among the major players in the Canadian Innovation System. By building a nation-wide network of collaborative partnerships with the support of more than 260 IRAP's Industrial Technical Advisors, IRAP provides innovative small and medium-sized Canadian enterprises with industrial and financial advice and support. To learn more about IRAP click here.
Innovation and Network Advisors (INAs)
Regional INAs work as a catalyst in building the network and fostering interdependency between appropriate organizations with the goal of understanding and satisfying the identified and ever changing needs of SMEs.
