Championing and delivering applied research & innovation services in the region since 2000
IAE’s lead innovation service provider in rural Alberta.
Innovation services and growing competitive businesses are fundamental strategies for successful Rural Economic Development.
History
Innovation + Growing Business = Regional Economic Development
We lead, engage, partner and deliver applied research and innovation services in the region.
Store-front office in Grande Prairie at Centre 2000 with satellite services to Fairview, Peace River & Yellowhead (Edson, Hinton, Jasper & Grande Cache).
GPRC’s CRI is AITF’s RIN in northwest Alberta
Industry Issues 1. Lack of time and manpower 2. Increasing costs of doing
business3. Customers wanting more for less
Potential Solutions with a goal to better managing Change
4. Being Innovative5. Get a good return on your
Investment6. Being part of networks
Key Operational Themes
Issues
Solutions
73 new clients of which 41 were entrepreneurs and 32 were companies
35 on-going clients of which 2 were entrepreneurs and 33 were companies, and half had multiple visits
Of the new clients, the top three service area requests were for Proof of Concept (IP), Innovation Disclosure and Initial Assessment, and the top three industry sectors were 28 requests on consumer based products, 11 for oil & gas, and 8 for agriculture (equipment).
Of on-going clients, the top 3 service areas were for Market Potential, Proto-typing and Development Testing and the top three industry sectors were 8 requests on Transportation/Utilities, 8 on Oil & Gas, and 6 on Technology.
Offer a full range of commercialization services (Goldsmith Model).
Assisted over 100 new and on-going clients over the last year of which 65% are companies
GPRC – Commercialization P2P NBDC
Regional Projects Sensor & UVS Solutions Angel Capital Network for
northwest Alberta Evergreen Centre – Low Impact
Solutions
Projects Internal
(GPRC)
External(Regional Clients)
Provide services and resources for innovating, testing and demonstrating leading-edge ideas for improved economics and environmental sustainability in resource industry development.
Proposal is about a $10.0 initiative with support requested from WED, NSERC, Industry, Provincial Government and communities. The focus is on: open-innovation network on problems & solutions on-site assistance with innovation, testing and project
management move promising innovations to commercialization demonstrate innovations locally review by third-party evaluation, testing and audit of
innovations assist access to financial support to offset Low Impact
innovation development costs experience and provide industry feedback on the new product
demonstrations connect with companies interested in sponsoring and field-
testing innovations showcase Low Impact innovations leading to new product
partnerships and globally competitive companies
Low Impact Solutions
For the last 5 years we have been a partner and participant in the Evergreen Centre for Resource Excellence & Innovation
Currently under-resourced and informal management
Demand for larger demonstration projects with more completed services
CRI communicates into the region with AITF interests, programs &
services
Social Media audience reach of over 900 clients & stakeholders (NMLead)
Growing the North – bringing forward innovation, technology, trends (Mgr – IS)
Champion ‘innovation’ in government forums (Alberta Agriculture’s Rural Dev. Plan; SHAPE /SHIFT) (CRI)
Reaching into the Region – carrying an AITF RIN message
College and the Community