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Government of Canada Provides $3 Million Funding for Entrepreneurship and Clean Tech Programs at Simon Fraser University
Tuesday, July 30, 2019Company Profile | Follow Company
SFU to expand Coast Capital Savings Venture Connection program, and establish an aerospace clean tech research facility
Burnaby, BC, July 30, 2019--(T-Net)--Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), announced Monday nearly $3 million in funding to Simon Fraser University for two important initiatives.
Coast Capital Savings Venture Connection ("Venture Connection") and the Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship (CIE) at SFU deliver training programs to British Columbia's next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.
Through Western Economic Diversification's investment of $1,950,000, Venture Connection will expand its youth entrepreneurship program to underrepresented faculties, ramp up industry engagement to get students working on more pressing industry challenges, and transform more academic research into commercial ventures by expanding SFU's Invention to Innovation (i2I) commercialization program.
The funding will also focus on expanding activity in key areas such as health, environmentally sustainable innovation, and creative and digital innovation, as well as increased emphasis on diversity.
WD will also invest $1,046,013 in the School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering (MSE) in conjunction with the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering at SFU to establish an experimental research facility to prototype clean technology solutions for the aerospace industry. The state-of-the-art facility will foster academic-industry partnerships to develop projects like lightweight hydrogen storage and fuel cell power systems for zero-emission, long-range, unmanned aerial vehicles.
Quick Facts
"The jobs of the future depend on our ability to maintain our competitive edge in a fast-paced global economy by adapting to new markets. The Government of Canada is ensuring that research institutions like Simon Fraser University have the resources they need to provide entrepreneurs and innovators with cutting-edge training, facilities, and mentorship opportunities." said The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
"This funding allows us to catalyze SFU's growing leadership in unleashing the entrepreneurial mindset and developing the skills, ambitions and interdisciplinary teams required to tackle complex global challenges." said Dr. Sarah Lubik, Director of Entrepreneurship, SFU, Exec Director, Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship, Beedie School of Business.
"Emission reductions in the aerospace sector are a major challenge for the global clean energy transition. Our aim is to contribute new technology for lightweight, highly efficient hydrogen storage and fuel cell systems as a power source for electric aircraft, in close collaboration with innovative Canadian industry partners. We are very grateful for the support provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada which enables prototyping and experimental testing of these new technologies." stated Erik Kjeang, Canada Research Chair in Fuel Cell Science and Technology Development & Associate Professor, School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University
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