Don Duval: How City-Regions less that 250,000 can Contribute to the Economic and Social Prosperity...
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March 24 th 2011
description
This keynote presentation was given at the Community Innovation Forum: Knowledge in Action on May 24th, 2011 in Peterborough, Ontario. The presentation highlighted how city-regions less that 250,000 can actively contribute to the economic and social prosperity of a country. Smaller regions have different structural, business, and cultural nuances and it is essential to understand how to leverage those assets and drive forward the innovation agenda.
Transcript of Don Duval: How City-Regions less that 250,000 can Contribute to the Economic and Social Prosperity...
March 24th 2011!
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“Because innovation is a key to our future economic and social success, we need to inject more urgency into our collective attention to the issue”
Innovation Next; Public Policy Forum, 2011
“On innovation factors, which measures business sophistication and innovation, Canada’s ranking fell two spots from 12th in 2009 to 14th in 2010.”
“Canada receive a “D” grade and ranks 14th out of 17 countries. The Canadian economy remains a below-average performer on its capacity to innovate.”
How Canada Performs: A Report Card on Canada February 2010
Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011 September 2010
“GDP per capita - a measure of the value created by workers and firms in Canada from the human, physical, and natural resources in the country - trailed the US by $9,300 or 17 percent in 2009.”
Report on Canada Beyond the Recovery June 2010
We are loosing ground
Competing is one thing… Winning
is another!
At an average of only 3.3 people per sq km, Canada has one of the lowest population densities in the world.
How do we Compete?
Vancouver
Toronto
Montréal
Ottawa
London
Calgary
Saskatoon Québec City
Halifax
Edmonton
Hamilton
Waterloo
Winnipeg
Our hub cities are Isolated
33 300 1.1 1.3 Million People Million Billion Billion
VS.
but few people… Big Country
Competing is one thing… Winning
is another!
So how do we Win?
Productive Science Base
Talented and Skilled Workforce
Livable Communities
Multicultural Civil Society
“Healthy” Economy
Strong Education System
Strong Resource Base
Session focuses on area’s strengths About 50 attend meeting on strategic planning By Sarah Deeth, Examiner Staff Writer, posted 2 years ago A brainstorming session on how to capitalize on the area’s greatest strengths was held at the Peterborough Public Library on Aylmer Street yesterday morning. A strategic plan is a blueprint the organization will use to capitalize on the region’s best opportunities to bring
wealth and jobs to the area.
“People come to Peterborough and they stay for the people,” she said. “It was a really optimistic experience.”
Participants were put into groups and each group offered a myriad of suggestions outlining the advantages the area has.
One group focused on water, Fell said, a resource that fuels everything from tourism to research at the Innovation Cluster.
Another suggestion focused on “zoomers,” baby boomers who have a lot of zip, Whittington said.
Those residents have a lot of business and life experience, Fell said.
“It’s a real strength to have,” Fell said.
What is the role of the local
community in driving innovation?
MaRS helps to create successful global businesses from Canada’s science and technology
Mission
Who we Serve
Early stage science and technology ventures and innovative social purpose businesses
Measure of Success
Job and wealth creation for the economy
MaRS Advisory Services
Full - Time Part - Time Volunteers Internship Corporate
A single, integrated pool of advisors offering free
consultative services to an array of emerging ventures
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• MaRS volunteer advisors account for 20% to 30% of total advisory hours
• Engagement of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts to ensure comprehensive skill sets to meet our client’s needs
• Volunteers become MaRS ambassadors in the community, both domestic and international, creating an engaged and motivated group working together doing interesting work
Culture of
Entrepreneurship
1. Give something back – educating, advising, mentoring, and parenting young companies is inspirational
2. Connect and network with other like-minded people…helps drives the culture of entrepreneurship
3. Love and be inspired by innovation and attempt to answer “what’s next?”
Community volunteers Service providers
Capital connections Corporate and business Academic and government
Innovation is a big challenge. It’s not meant to be easy. Contributing at the local level and participating in a broader national virtual network is the only way we can mobilize our country to even hope to win
Don Duval Vice President, Business Services MaRS Discovery District [email protected] Twitter: don_duval
