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London, amidst a complex configuration. The London hub The University of Western Ontario The Robarts Institute The London Health Research Institute The C4 Western and its affiliates McMaster and its affiliates Waterloo Guelph Windsor Wilfrid Laurier. Convergence of networks.
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London, amidst a complex configuration • The London hub • The University of Western Ontario • The Robarts Institute • The London Health Research Institute • The C4 • Western and its affiliates • McMaster and its affiliates • Waterloo • Guelph • Windsor • Wilfrid Laurier Convergence of networks
The C4 Consortium • Founding MembersThe University of Western Ontario • McMaster University • The University of Guelph • The University of Waterloo • Co-Applicants Windsor University • Laurier University • Brock University • Affiliated The Lawson Health Research Institute • The Robarts Research Institute • The Hamilton Health Science Corporation • St Joseph Hospital • Ridgetown College • Kemptville College • College d’Alfred
Concept • Coordination, Cooperation, Collaboration and Commercialization between member institutions • Sharing of core resources with added efficiency and capacity building • Sharing of best practices and training • Balanced approach between articulated points of services at member institutions • Critical mass • Ca $ 720 M R&D expenditures • More than 35 % of Ontario thrust • 12 % of Canadian effort • Over 250 invention disclosures yearly
Genesis and Justification • Facts • All institutions are within one hour travel distance from each other • There was a high level of natural connectivity at the research-consortia level • Objective • Better service to researchers • Enhanced results for all institutions • Image and brand recognition • Attract VC, business activities, connectivity with industry • Expected Results • Deal flow improvement • Critical mass allowing complementarity for technical and market intelligence • Rationalization of resources most difficult and sensitive • Attracted funding support from Federal IPM Ca. $ 2.1 M in October 2005 and Provincial MRI-ORCP Ca. $ 3.9 M in June 2006, doubling our overall tech transfer Budget over 3 years
C4 metrics today (AUTM 2005 Survey)
The C4 reality • Governance structure • Research strengths • Invention potential • Commercial potential • Expectations • Regional development • Spin-offs vs licenses • Impact of commercialization - metrics • Stories • Image
Pre-requisites for success • Is your administration behind your mission ? • How much ? • Is the IP Policy an issue ? • Network implications • Is your image well positioned ? • Are you pro-active ? • Partners alignment • Do you have the appropriate resources ? • If not, what can you do ? • Resource and salary issues • How to manage egos and greed ? • Real objectives
The process of distillation… • Mine your inventions • Filter them as early as possible • Get your researcher excited about it • Be transparent as to the next steps • Help build the value • Keep your focus and that of the researchers • Monitoring and reviewing the course is key • Can a network be more efficient ? What one man can invent, another can discover ("Sherlock Holmes")
Industry interactions ? • Your technology is valuable, handle it with care! • Help researchers report IP as it gets created • Ensure Confidentiality (CDA, NDA…) • Insist on Formal Agreements • Legal implications may be costly, especially with student co-inventors • TTOs, UILOs or BDOs are facilitators • Industry relationship is at stake ! Objectives and cultures are different; watch out for a balanced approach IP Role of a network in enhancing industry interface ?
Networking, not an option • Among professionals: ACCT, AUTM, LES, CAURA…. • Best practices • News in the trade • Provincially: OnSett, BLEUs, SpringBoard, WestLink • Regionally: Business associations, Incubators, Research Parks, Chambers of Commerce • Research networks: interface with researchers and trends • Government networks : funding opportunities • Angels and Venture Capitalists’ networks • Industry networks: CMA, CATA, BioTech….
Innovation Environment in Ontario VCs GrowthWorks BDC… IncubationRIN & Research Park Tech Transfer ORCP-IPM TechAlliance & Ivey Entrepreneurship 101 TechAlliance Venture Services RIN-City TechAlliance Angel Network O P M@RS C4
Take home message • Commercialization is not an option as it is value creation for the technology, the researchers co-inventors, the University and industry • Professionalism is becoming the norm • Inter-institutional relationships are more prevalent • Industry relationships are manageable • Fourth pillars become a reality to reckon with • To establish a networkmake sure of the unequivocal commitment of stakeholders
Discussion Expectations Changes Resources Budget Questions http://www.uwo.ca/industry/ The Juggling Act