Southwestern Ontario’s TechAlliance is now part of the Ontario Network of Excellence (ONE).
ONE consists of 14 regional innovation centres across Ontario. These centres help local entrepreneurs bring innovative ideas to the marketplace, such as new ways to treat disease, cleaner ways to produce power and next-generation digital entertainment.
The centres give entrepreneurs access to a broad range of experts, including researchers, academics, businesses, government and investors, who can help sell an idea and grow a business worldwide.
Supporting made-in-Ontario technologies is part of Ontario’s strategy to make innovation a driving force of Ontario’s economy, and supports the Open Ontario Plan to build new opportunities for economic growth and jobs.
QUOTES
“The strength of Ontario’s creative environment, diverse culture, highly skilled workforce, world-class education system, internationally recognized research community and proven entrepreneurs is second to none. ONE links these talents together across the province to ensure all great ideas have the opportunity to flourish — creating jobs and improving our lives now and in the future.”
— Glen Murray, Minister of Research and Innovation
“All of Southwestern Ontario can be proud of the incredible success our innovators have had to date, and the boost they are giving our economy. TechAlliance’s entry into the ONE will no doubt push our bright lights towards further success, and lay the groundwork for high quality jobs for our community well into the future.”
— Chris Bentley, MPP for London West
“London is a hotspot for research and innovation in areas as diverse as healthcare, cleantech and digital media technologies. ONE links these researchers and entrepreneurs with the information and expertise they need to turn great ideas into better healthcare, greener technologies and award-winning digital entertainment.”
— Deb Matthews, MPP for London North Centre
“Groundbreaking research leadership and incredible business savvy have pushed the Southwestern Ontario region to the forefront of the new economy. Success has brought high-paying jobs and an influx of new talent to our communities. Now, the Ontario Network of Excellence connects our great minds with others across our province — ensuring that the next generation of products and services can be discovered and developed right here, and sold to the world.”
— Khalil Ramal, MPP for London-Fanshawe
“The research and entrepreneurial talent in Southwestern Ontario is world-class, and our institutions are internationally recognized. With ONE we become even more of an innovation powerhouse. By sharing our knowledge with our provincial colleagues, we likewise gain strength from their proven know-how — leading to a strong regional and provincial new economy.”
— Marilyn Sinclair, President and CEO, TechAlliance
QUICK FACTS
- In 2008-2009, Ontario’s local innovation centres helped our province’s technology-based entrepreneurs and companies: create and retain more than 3,400 jobs, protect over 1,300 new ideas through patents and copyrights, develop nearly 900 prototypes, bring more than 700 products and services to the market and sell to more than 3,500 new customers.
- It is estimated that ONE will increase these numbers dramatically, by providing more coordinated, immediate and specialized help that is accessible across the province.
- In Southwestern Ontario, local thinking and support for innovation has already produced successful companies like Trojan Technologies. The company is a global leader in multiple areas of water treatment — from waste water and drinking water to environmental contamination treatment. It currently employs about 375 in London and about 100 in Guelph.
