Government of Canada Helps UNB Establish Energy Innovation Program
News Release
Program will support development of energy and cybersecurity startups
December 9, 2016 – Fredericton, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The J. Herbert Smith Technology Management Entrepreneurship Centre at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) will establish an Energy Innovation Program, thanks to help from the Government of Canada and key partners focused on advancing the energy and cybersecurity sectors.
Delivered through a unique accelerator, Energia Ventures, the program will support new startups and research to assist in the commercialization of products and services in the energy, clean tech and cybersecurity sectors. Currently, the new entrepreneurial accelerator has attracted five company startups including Stash Energy, Beauceron Security, Trispectra Innovation Inc., Rising Tide Technologies and Mbissa Energy Systems.
Matt DeCourcey, Member of Parliament for Fredericton, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, joined Dr. Eddy Campbell, President and Vice-Chancellor, UNB; Dhirendra Shukla, Chair, J. Herbert Smith Technology Management Entrepreneurship Centre, and Ed Rodriguez, Managing Director, Energia Ventures, to make the announcement today.
Nearly $1 million in funding is being directed toward the Energy Innovation Program, from both the public and private sector. The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program (BDP), is investing $405,567 in the project and the University of New Brunswick is providing $60,000. A combined contribution of $480,000 from Siemens Canada and Mitacs – a national, not-for-profit organization – is for smart-grid related research already underway within this program.
Siemens Canada’s support comes as part of a $2.5 million investment the global firm committed to UNB’s Faculty of Engineering announced in 2013. The Energy Innovation Program will house current leading-edge smart grid research, including ongoing projects at the university, supported by Siemens Canada as part of its 2013 investment.
Energia Ventures is evidence of a growing smart grid eco-system in New Brunswick and continuation of successful collaboration between the academia, public and private sector in energy innovation.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is focused on harnessing the power of innovation to create new opportunities for growth in energy and cybersecurity innovation. Today’s announcement is key to our government’s priority of helping Canadian businesses grow, innovate and participate in a global economy, creating good quality jobs and generating wealth for Canadians.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“The Government of Canada’s investment in UNB and Energia Ventures through ACOA, fits well into the overall federal government strategy to help startups become high-growth operations to eventually drive national prosperity and become significant employers of tomorrow.”
- Matt DeCourcey, Member of Parliament for Fredericton
"This is an important moment for us. The launch of Energia Ventures keeps the University of New Brunswick at the cutting edge of fostering entrepreneurial activity, given its unique focus on incubating startups involved in clean tech, sustainable energy, smart grid and cybersecurity. And with UNB already at the forefront of advances in these sectors, Energia is also tremendous synergy with our innovation agenda.”
- Dr. Eddy Campbell, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of New Brunswick
"At Energia Ventures, we’re on a mission to attract and support early-stage startups that are at the frontier of some incredibly exciting and promising sectors – cybersecurity, smart grid, clean technology and sustainable energy. This is a very dynamic space and we’re eager to get underway, propelling some very clever ideas and talented pioneers forward.”
- Dhirendra Shukla, Chair, J. Herbert Smith Technology Management and Entrepreneurship Centre, University of New Brunswick
“Congratulations to UNB on the launch of The Energy Innovation Program that further solidifies the university’s leadership in the sustainable energy arena. Siemens is excited to be involved in leading-edge smart grid research at UNB, and to be part of the expanding innovation eco-system in New Brunswick along with our partner NB Power.”
- Robert Hardt, CEO, Siemens Canada Limited
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Contacts
Ann Kenney
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-452-3687
ann.Kenney@canada.ca
David Stonehouse
Senior Manager Communications
University of New Brunswick
506-458-7925
David.Stonehouse@unb.ca
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