Ontario Commercialization Network Review: From Good To Great

Ontario initiated a review of the Ontario Commercialization Network (OCN) in September 2008, to better align the network with Ontario’s Innovation Agenda, a $3.2-billion commitment to help make innovation the driving force of Ontario’s economy. The goal was to ensure that Ontario establishes the kind of policy, program and service environment needed to support our world-class scientists and innovators in their efforts to turn research excellence and best-in-class technologies into new industries, new jobs, and future social and economic prosperity.

The OCN Review Steering Committee — a group of leaders from industry, academia and finance who guided the Review process — submitted their key findings and recommendations to the province in February 2009.

Key findings suggest Ontario is well-positioned to become a world-class jurisdiction for innovation in the years to come. The Steering Committee found that existing programs and organizations represent a strong platform on which to build a world-class innovation system.

The report also makes clear recommendations about how the province can “build the OCN into a world-class commercialization network capable of moving Ontario to the forefront of global innovation.” These recommendations included:  

• Adopting best practices, such as a more coordinated and client-focused approach across the entire network
• Making it easier for entrepreneurs and innovative businesses to navigate Ontario programs and services dedicated to supporting innovation and commercialization
• Developing a clear and consistent method for measuring results across the network

Letter from the OCN Review Steering Committee

Dear Minister,

The Ontario Commercialization Network (OCN) Steering Committee is pleased to submit our Report and to have had this opportunity to assist the province in its efforts to bring new, innovative ideas to market.

The recommendations we are submitting come with our unanimous approval and reflect the principles and recommendations to build the OCN into a world-class commercialization network capable of moving Ontario to the forefront of global innovation.

A key recommendation is the formation of an independent body of successful innovators and entrepreneurs experienced in the commercialization process, to provide overall direction and governance to the network. Furthermore, we believe that the client-focused OCN model provided will help Ontario toward the innovation goal of becoming best in class at taking new, leading-edge ideas to market.

Our commercialization system must be integrated and consistent, yet flexible and adaptable. The report calls for a systematic approach and immediate action.

We are grateful for the opportunity to make this contribution. As members of the Ontario Commercialization Network (OCN) Review Steering Committee, we are pleased and honoured to transmit the attached final report.

Sincerely,

Dr. Alastair M. Glass, Chair

On Behalf of Dr. Geoff Fernie, Mr. P. Thomas Jenkins, Ms. Melissa McJannet, Ms. Maureen Piercy, Dr. Celia Ross and Dr. Robert Sutherland

Read the complete report

Background: About The OCN

The Ontario Commercialization Network (OCN) was a collection of organizations across the province, supported by the Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI) that tapped into local excellence to help Ontario compete globally. It did this by helping local innovators transform ideas into marketable products and services and connecting local innovators to investors and other innovators across the province.

The OCN included four types of organizations that worked together to support innovation:

• Provincial Innovation Networks (PINs): considered to be the “hubs” of the OCN as they provided linkages to provincial programs and served as a gateway to global business, science, and investment resources.
• Regional Innovation Networks (RINs): regionally-based, multi-stakeholder, not-for-profit entities driven by the private sector to identify, develop, and implement strategies to enhance a region’s innovative capacity.
• Sector Innovation Networks (SINs): not-for-profit organizations that had a strong sector focus with provincial scope and the capacity to deliver commercialization and other expertise.
• Incubators: organizations that cultivated technological entrepreneurship by promoting commercialization of research and technology from, and to, academic institutions.

The OCN Review: Overview

The review of the OCN was part of the implementation of the Ontario Innovation Agenda. Supported by $3.2 billion in spending over eight years and a focus on seizing global market opportunities, this agenda builds on the strength of Ontario’s creative environment, diverse culture, highly skilled workforce, world-class education system and internationally recognized research community to ensure Ontario is one of the winning economies in the 21st century.

The Review helped to determine how to best align the OCN with the goals of Ontario’s Innovation Agenda, and ensure that it plays a vital role in fostering world-class innovation, new businesses and new jobs across the province in the future.

The OCN Review: Process

To get a fair, unbiased evaluation of the existing network, the review was guided by a group of industry, academia and finance leaders and shaped by advice from innovators from across the province.

To oversee this process — and make recommendations — Ontario brought together a Steering Committee, comprised of senior representatives from industry, financial services, and the academic community.

Ontario also engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to gather input from clients across the OCN and report back to the ministry and the Steering Committee.

In addition, Ontario brought together an Expert Panel, which included representation from both industry and academia, to provide perspective on global leadership and best practices in commercialization.

The Ontario Commercialization Network Review: Timeline

September 2008

• The Ontario Commercialization Network (OCN) Review Steering Committee had its first meeting on September 5th, commencing the Review.
• PricewaterhouseCoopers began its survey of OCN clients – researchers and innovators with previous experience in accessing Ontario government programs and services through the OCN.

October 2008

• On October 9th, the Steering Committee provided input on the interim findings of the Review.

November 2008

• On November 4th, the Steering Committee provided further input on the interim findings of the Review and engaged in a visioning exercise about what a more globally competitive OCN looks like.
• PricewaterhouseCoopers presented its draft final report to the ministry on November 11th. 
• The OCN Review Expert Panel met on November 18th to discuss proposed OCN models, global leadership and best practices strategy.
  

December 2008

• On December 1st, the Steering Committee met and discussed PricewaterhouseCoopers’ draft final report, the findings of the Expert Panel and proposed OCN models.
• PricewaterhouseCoopers final report was received at the end of December.
• The Steering Committee developed and submitted its draft report.

January 2009

• Steering Committee further developed its report and met to discuss on January 26th.

February 2009

• On February 4th, 2009, the final meeting of the Steering Committee took place to discuss the final report and recommendations.

March 2009

• The OCN Steering Committee Final Report was publicly released.

April 2009

• The Government’s response to the OCN review was to evolve the OCN into the new Ontario Network of Excellence.

December 2009

• The Ministry released Phase 1 (Expression of Interest or EOI) of the Ontario Network of Excellence Program (ONEP).