NRC-IRAP Industrial Research Assistance Program

ONEIA Seminar What’s Up at IRAP?

Oct. 10 2013 Presented by Craig Wardlaw

2

IRAP Quick Facts

•  Program of the National Research Council, reporting to Industry Canada

•  >60 years in business, oldest funding program in the G20 •  Approximately 250 Industrial Technology Advisors serving

more than 10,000 companies across Canada •  IRAP assists Canadian SMEs who are developing

innovative products by providing advice and possibly funding

•  The interaction between company and IRAP Advisor is based on a trusting relationship

•  IRAP yearly funding doubled in 2012

What sort of financial support do we give?

Ø  Non-repayable contributions to firms for R&D projects

Ø  Small projects for business improvement or R&D (up to $50k contribution)

Ø  Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program (DTAPP)

Ø  Contributions to organizations (innovation collaborators)

Ø  Youth Employment Program (YEP)

Ø  Support technical labour and sub-contracted labour only

3

Basic Eligibility Criteria

Ø  Innovating to create new products that have a significant potential market

Ø  Funding decisions are based on the business case for the product and company and the anticipated overall benefits to Canada

4

Ø  Incorporated in Canada Ø  500 employees or less

Ø At least one full time salaried employee

5

A Few IRAP Cleantech Companies

Ø Real Tech Inc., Whitby

Ø  Trojan Technologies, London

Ø SanEcoTec, Ottawa

Ø UVPure, Scarborough

Ø Renteknik, Burlington

Ø Clear Blue Technologies, Toronto

Ø Clearpath Robotics, Kitchener

Ø Sensor Suite, Toronto

What’s New? Digital Technology Adoption

Pilot Program (DTAPP) •  Is a component of the Government of Canada’s overall Digital Economy

Strategy Ø  to accelerate digital technology adoption and investment in Canada,

which lags the U.S. and many other developed countries in this regard

Ø  to consequently boost productivity of SMEs in all business sectors

•  An $80 million pilot program that will run until March 31, 2014

•  Is delivered by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program and its teams of Industrial Technology Advisors

•  Funding to firms and colleges; project funding to help adopt digital technology and/or hire a technology specialist

•  Only labour funded – installation, optimization, training, productivity assessment – firm pays capital costs

6

What’s New?

OCE Vouchers Program

Ø  IRAP has partnered with OCE and a number of other agencies to deliver a “voucher” program for Innovation and Productivity

Ø  Firms can get support to work with a non-profit research institution (university, college, government institute) from a variety of programs with possible total support of $95k

Ø See OCE website or go directly to:

http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/collaboration-voucher-program/VIP/how-it-works

7

What’s New? Vouchers for Academic Collaboration

Ø Still in development but coming soon

Ø  IRAP Advisor will be able to give approved firms a “voucher” to work with a research institution (university, college, private or government institute)

Ø  $20k max

Ø  IRAP pays the institution directly

8

What’s New? Canada Accelerator and Incubator

Program (CAIP)

Ø CAIP provides funding over a five year period in the form of non-repayable contributions to a limited number of best-in-class accelerators and incubators (i.e. fewer than 10) that meet strict eligibility and selection criteria

Ø Organizations chosen by competitive bid

Ø Bids due Oct. 31 2013

Ø See http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/irap/caip/index.html

9

Support to Organizations 2013-14

Ø Ontario Environment Industry Association •  Production of marketing videos •  Networking events specifically for innovative SMEs

Ø Southern Ontario Water Consortium •  Networking events aimed at non-SOWC members •  Outreach to potential new consortium members

10

Sample ONEIA Video

Real Tech Inc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsISEVvtg-Y&feature=player_detailpage

11

Craig Wardlaw (Oakville) 905-849-3796

Toll-free number: 1-877-994-4727 Web http://irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Contact us