Ontario Centres of Excellence

Web: http://www.oce-ontario.org/∞

Part of the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation∞. OCE has a good track record in Waterloo for working with researchers to create companies to commercialize their innovations.

Investment Accelerator Fund

OCE manages the Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF) which provides early stage investment of up to $500K (see the IAF page for details).

Research programs

Most of OCE's budget is devoted to research programs∞, particularly its funding for collaborations between academic researchers and companies. A company with money that wants to engage an academic researcher may be able to double their research budget for that project by [working with OCE. It provides up to $200,000 a year for three years, although typical investments are in the $50-100K range for two years.

Commercialization programs

Commercialization programs∞, which again target academic researchers taking their innovations to market, include market readiness -- prototype development, market assessment, IP protection, and other activities.

First Job

OCE's First Job∞ program provides funding for companies to hire graduates with master's or doctoral degrees who have recently worked on an OCE-supported project. Startups can receive a grant of 80% of the salary, up to a maximum of $50,000.