NRC-IRAP - SFU Initiative for SMEs

The National Research Council Canada - Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC‐IRAP) Pacific Region is collaborating on a new initiative with Simon Fraser University (SFU) with the objective of further encouraging collaboration between SFU and small to medium‐sized technology companies in BC (SMEs).

The objective of this nitiative is to promote active interaction between SMEs in BC and the SFU community, to increase and enhance SME growth. It is intended to streamline the process of SMEs who would like to establish working relationships with SFU, including consultation by SFU faculty, researchers and staff. The initiative will help to raise mutual awareness by providing an introduction and facilitation between both the SMEs and the SFU community.

It is anticipated that a greater degree of interaction between the SFU community and the SMEs will result in further collaboration and joint development projects from the various activities of this initiative.

Benefits for SMEs:
• Establish key contacts with the appropriate resources in SFU;
• Access relevant SFU expertise through obtaining consultation, technical evaluation or product analysis services with minimum delay or paperwork;
• Obtain immediate benefits from the R&D capabilities at SFU that relate to product or service development and commercialization;
• Overcome the critical initial barrier preventing SMEs from seeking SFU assistance in technology development. There is an initial one‐stop shop contact point through the involvement of the SFU-TIME Incubation Centre;
• Benefit from marketing and business development assistance through the SFU MBA-MOT (Management of Technology) Program.

The initiative can provide the opportunity to MBA candidates to develop a marketing strategy or business plan.

How and What:
SME can obtain consulting expertise (for a limited number of hours), student assistance or use of some of the specialized facilities at the SFU locations (Burnaby, Surrey, Vancouver).

Some of the specialized areas of expertise include, but are not limited to:
• Design/User Interaction • Kinesiology/Human Mobility
• Imaging/Visualization • Life Science
• Environmental/Geography • Medical Devices
• Wireless Sensor Networks • Small Business Consulting

For More Info contact:
Elmer Sum
778-782-7750
elmers@sfu.ca
or
Justine Bizzocchi
778-782-7508
justine@sfu.ca