NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 3, 2011
Supporting Innovation And Creating Jobs In York Region
McGuinty Government Helps Local Entrepreneurs Bring Ideas To Life
NEWS
York Region’s VentureLab 
is now part of the Ontario Network of Excellence (ONE) .
ONE consists of 14 regional innovation centres across Ontario. These centres help local entrepreneurs bring innovative ideas to the marketplace, such as new ways to treat disease, cleaner ways to produce power and next-generation digital entertainment.
The centres give entrepreneurs access to a broad range of experts, including researchers, academics, businesses, government and investors, who can help sell an idea and grow a business worldwide.
Supporting made-in-Ontario technologies is part of Ontario’s strategy to make innovation a driving force of Ontario’s economy, and supports the Open Ontario Plan to build new opportunities for economic growth and jobs.
QUOTES
“The strength of Ontario’s creative environment, diverse culture, highly skilled workforce, world-class education system, internationally recognized research community and proven entrepreneurs is second to none. ONE links these talents together across the province to ensure all great ideas have the opportunity to flourish — creating jobs and improving our lives now and in the future.”
— Glen Murray, Minister of Research and Innovation
“Ontario’s new network will help businesses harness the power of ideas, research and invention to create the next technology, and to create high paying jobs. ONE puts the power in the hands of regional hubs and business to make innovation possible, affordable and inevitable.”
— Reza Moridi, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Research and Innovation
“Locating this new Regional Innovation Centre in Markham is welcome news for the immense entrepreneurial talent that exists in our community and region. By providing resources to develop and commercialize great ideas, this Centre will bring tremendous benefits, spurring economic growth and job creation.”
— Michael Chan , MPP for Markham-Unionville
“VentureLab’s strategic priority is to create the conditions that will encourage and support entrepreneurs in the formation of innovative companies. By building a network of stakeholders connected to the rest of the province through the ONE, VentureLab will foster the creation of jobs critical for Ontario to succeed in the economy of the future. This alignment of stakeholders will help us take our ideas to market, commercialize the talent in this region and create jobs and a better standard of living for everyone in our communities.”
— Peter Pekos, President and CEO Dalton Pharma Services, Chair, VentureLab
QUICK FACTS
- In 2008-2009, Ontario’s local innovation centres helped our province’s technology-based entrepreneurs and companies: create and retain more than 3,400 jobs, protect over 1,300 new ideas through patents and copyrights, develop nearly 900 prototypes, bring more than 700 products and services to the market and sell to more than 3,500 new customers.
- It is estimated that ONE will increase these numbers dramatically, by providing more coordinated, immediate and specialized help that is accessible across the province.
- In York Region, local thinking and support for innovation has already produced successful companies like Tertec Enterprises Inc. One of Tertec’s many innovations is the Mon Ami™ — an interactive device which enables seniors to remain in their own home longer. It keeps a caregiver within constant reach of the senior’s immediate needs, and assists them with daily routines like medication reminders. It can even read books aloud and run intelligence-stimulating games.
LEARN MORE
About York Region innovation success stories.
About the Ontario Network of Excellence .
About Ontario's Innovation Agenda.
About the government’s Open Ontario Plan .
See also:
- Backgrounder: Supporting Innovation and Creating Jobs Across Ontario
- Success Stories
- For the media
- Photo Gallery
