Minister Hutchings praises impressive journey of turning innovative research into real-world solutions
Atlantic Canada is home to Springboard Atlantic Inc., a network of 19 post-secondary institutions, full of students and researchers doing cutting-edge work alongside entrepreneurs with dynamic startup ideas. The region's success depends on their success.
Today, the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), applauded the longstanding contributions of Springboard Atlantic, which is celebrating 20 years of commercializing innovation and building a more resilient economy in Atlantic Canada. Members of the Springboard Atlantic network are meeting at Université de Moncton this week and marked this impressive milestone today at their 20th Anniversary Showcase.
By fostering collaboration that brings world class ideas to market, Springboard Atlantic's network of universities, researchers, organizations, businesses, and industry leaders have played an essential role in building momentum in Atlantic Canada's economy. Springboard Atlantic exists to drive growth in key sectors, including advanced manufacturing, ocean sustainability and clean energy. That's why Budget 2024 proposes to invest heavily in cutting-edge research - to create more good jobs, including in innovation and technology.
Minister Hutchings also highlighted the Government of Canada's non-repayable contribution of over $9.8 million, through ACOA, to help Springboard Atlantic and its partners bring researchers and industry together, and take homegrown, world-class ideas to market. Springboard's 19 member institutions are contributing an additional $5.2 million.
Investments like this further demonstrate the Government of Canada's commitment to ensuring Atlantic Canadian businesses can access and benefit from research developed in the region's world-class learning institutions, so they can compete in the global economy and accelerate the region's economic momentum.
