Feds support innovation in Southern Ontario through funding

Businesses in manufacturing, technology and life sciences will have an opportunity to bring new products to market, expand and create new jobs thanks to a new partnership with the University of Waterloo and small and medium-sized businesses.

Last year, under the Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative, the University of Waterloo was approved for up to $750,000 from FedDev Ontario to partner with small- and medium-sized businesses on activities such as applied research, engineering design, technology development, product testing and certification. The support provided will create new economic opportunities, help businesses in southern Ontario grow, and enable them to become even more innovative and competitive.

“Local businesses, the small- and medium-sized enterprises, contribute greatly to the Waterloo Region’s economy, and indeed, are the foundation of Canada’s economy,” said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president of the University of Waterloo. “This funding will assist us in our research and development partnerships, which are aimed at improving the performances of these highly innovative companies.”

“These agreements allow the University of Waterloo to work with businesses on exciting new research, and to get these results to the marketplace faster,” said member of Parliament, Peter Braid. “Through the Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative, the Government of Canada is supporting the families, businesses and communities of southern Ontario.”

The Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative is designed to bridge the gap between research and commercialization between Ontario’s post-secondary academic institutions and small- and medium-sized enterprises. Some of the approved partners include:

• Oakville Stamping & Bending Ltd., an Oakville, Ont.-based company that manufactures, assembles and distributes metal and plastic plumbing waste fittings to the wholesale and retail markets in Canada and the U.S. Through this project, the University of Waterloo will develop a flexible part handling system that will enhance the competitiveness of Oakville Stamping & Bending through increased production.

• Teledyne Dalsa Inc., a Waterloo, Ont.-based designer and manufacturer of image sensors, cameras and vision systems, will collaborate with the University of Waterloo on the application of new imaging technologies for use within CCD sensors/cameras.

• Tyco Electronics Canada ULC (Guelph, Ont.) is a leader in the automotive lighting industry producing light pipes and lamps used to conduct illumination from light emitting diodes (LEDs) on printed circuit boards (PCBs) to ambient lighting within cars. Tyco Electronics Canada provides engineering and development functions for its product lines sold around the world. University of Waterloo expertise in analysis, design, simulation and system integration will be accessed through this project, and will develop new PCB assembly systems providing Tyco new capacity, increased revenue and market leadership.

For more information on the Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative and approved University of Waterloo partners, visit www.feddevontario.gc.ca.