Springboard Atlantic: pioneering 20 years of innovation in Atlantic Canada
News release
Minister Hutchings praises impressive journey of turning innovative research into real-world solutions
May 8, 2024 · Moncton, New Brunswick · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Atlantic Canada is home to Springboard Atlantic Inc., a network of 19 post-secondary institutions, full of students and researchers doing cutting-edge work alongside entrepreneurs with dynamic startup ideas. The region’s success depends on their success.
Today, the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), applauded the longstanding contributions of Springboard Atlantic, which is celebrating 20 years of commercializing innovation and building a more resilient economy in Atlantic Canada. Members of the Springboard Atlantic network are meeting at Université de Moncton this week and marked this impressive milestone today at their 20th Anniversary Showcase.
By fostering collaboration that brings world class ideas to market, Springboard Atlantic’s network of universities, researchers, organizations, businesses, and industry leaders have played an essential role in building momentum in Atlantic Canada’s economy. Springboard Atlantic exists to drive growth in key sectors, including advanced manufacturing, ocean sustainability and clean energy. That’s why Budget 2024 proposes to invest heavily in cutting-edge research – to create more good jobs, including in innovation and technology.
Minister Hutchings also highlighted the Government of Canada’s non-repayable contribution of over $9.8 million, through ACOA, to help Springboard Atlantic and its partners bring researchers and industry together, and take homegrown, world-class ideas to market. Springboard’s 19 member institutions are contributing an additional $5.2 million.
Investments like this further demonstrate the Government of Canada’s commitment to ensuring Atlantic Canadian businesses can access and benefit from research developed in the region’s world-class learning institutions, so they can compete in the global economy and accelerate the region’s economic momentum.
Quotes
“Atlantic Canada is an innovation leader and Springboard has been right at the heart of that work for 20 years, bringing together the right partners at the right time to spring advances in manufacturing, ocean sustainability, clean energy – and so much more. Congratulations to the dedicated members who have made Springboard Atlantic such a driving force for educational institutions and business communities, driving our economy to bring innovative ideas from the classroom to the boardroom.”
- The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
Quick facts
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Springboard Atlantic is marking its 20th anniversary with a network meeting and anniversary showcase in Moncton from May 7-8.
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Springboard Atlantic supports Atlantic Canadian universities and colleges, by providing resources that facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology to the private sector. The Springboard network is comprised of members from 19 Atlantic Canadian universities and community colleges.
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Established by the Association of Atlantic Universities in 2004 with assistance from ACOA's Atlantic Innovation Fund program, the organization was incorporated as a not-for-profit in July 2005.
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The non-repayable funding announced May 3, 2024 is over a three-year period (2023-2026) and is provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s (ACOA) Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, which works to create the right conditions to start and grow businesses in Atlantic Canada
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Associated links
Contacts
Connor Burton
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Connor.Burton@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Media Relations
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
mediaroom-salledesmedias@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Daryl Genge
President and CEO
Springboard Atlantic Inc.
902-421-5678
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