Business Incubation
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Rockmount Financial Corporation sees the value of innovation and that it is the future of growth for Alberta. A business incubator is an operation that provides a range of resources to start-ups and early-stage businesses. These can range from office space to marketing events and access to angel networks. The goal of a business incubator is to help start-up and early-stage companies grow and succeed.
Rockmount is spearheading the development of a business incubator to be referred to as the International Avenue Technology Centre (IATC). IATC will be a leading-edge business development facility in Western Canada, offering office, lab, and semi-industrial workshop space as well as facilitating innovation assistance to SMEs and startup companies. The IATC will provide for the early growth of semi-industrial firms from commercialization through to pilot production to produce the tangible results of increased innovation, market share expansion and company growth. By linking up companies with research funding, a facility to test/demonstrate products/systems, financial services contacts, business services providers, and a light industrial space, the IATC will become a product commercialization conduit and a cluster catalyst. |
Opportunities exist for collaborative partnerships with other members of the Albertan innovation system, including Innovate Calgary (Intellectual Property), CETAC-West (Innovation Assistance), Alberta Innovates: Technology Futures (Research and Testing), SAIT (the Enerplus Innovation Centre), Mount Royal University (Applied Bachelor of Entrepreneurship), Calgary Economic Development Corporation (Global Business Centre and Sector Initiatives), Venture Alberta, AVAC (Capacity Building Program) and the TSX Venture Exchange (Capital Pool Program).
As well as collaborative corporate relationships, for example in the green building technologies sector, with:
1) product suppliers and distributors,
2) builders, like the members of the Calgary Home Builders Association,
3) developers, like the members of the Urban Development Institute; and,
4) architects, as found in the Canadian Green Building Council.
A significant opportunity exists for the IATC to establish world-class status through the alliances/partnerships with complementary entities in both technology and entrepreneurship channels within Canada, North America and internationally. In terms of entrepreneurship, relationship building is underway with North American universities and their affiliated organizations; Kauffman Entrepreneurship Foundation USA; banks, venture capitalists and angel investment networks along with federal and provincial government policies, strategies, programs, and services.
The project has been developed in consultation with best practice incubation models in the United States, located through participation in the National Business Incubation Association. To date, the concept has been presented to and well received by civic, provincial, corporate, trade and academic stakeholders. The IATC will function best if it can become a focal point for the activities of many other organizations.
As well as collaborative corporate relationships, for example in the green building technologies sector, with:
1) product suppliers and distributors,
2) builders, like the members of the Calgary Home Builders Association,
3) developers, like the members of the Urban Development Institute; and,
4) architects, as found in the Canadian Green Building Council.
A significant opportunity exists for the IATC to establish world-class status through the alliances/partnerships with complementary entities in both technology and entrepreneurship channels within Canada, North America and internationally. In terms of entrepreneurship, relationship building is underway with North American universities and their affiliated organizations; Kauffman Entrepreneurship Foundation USA; banks, venture capitalists and angel investment networks along with federal and provincial government policies, strategies, programs, and services.
The project has been developed in consultation with best practice incubation models in the United States, located through participation in the National Business Incubation Association. To date, the concept has been presented to and well received by civic, provincial, corporate, trade and academic stakeholders. The IATC will function best if it can become a focal point for the activities of many other organizations.