May 09, 2008
Edmonton, Alberta
High-tech companies looking to field-test new computer-based technologies in a customer or client setting now have ready access to more support from the new Precarn office opening in Alberta. The initiative will help companies focus their research and development projects to quickly bring better products to market, leading to many more successful companies.
The Precarn-Alberta initiative is a $3.6 million partnership agreement over three years supported by $1.2 million each from Precarn Inc., Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Alberta Advanced Education and Technology. Start-up costs will be covered separately by Precarn and WD.
"This partnership will enable Precarn to build on its solid track record of assisting early-stage businesses to commercialize cutting-edge technologies and maintain a competitive edge," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. "The Government of Canada is proud to support western Canadian entrepreneurs and innovators in taking their ideas to the global market."
"Precarn's focus is on commercializing technologies with high market potential. This focus will help Alberta's entrepreneurs to ramp up global sales by developing advanced technology solutions that are well-matched to customer needs," says Doug Horner, Minister of Alberta Advanced Education and Technology.
The initiative will fund Alberta-based industry projects involved in commercializing intelligent information and communications systems technologies. These technologies have potential to improve decision-making, increase cost-savings and do tasks faster, safer or better in all sectors of Alberta's economy.
Paul Johnston, President and CEO of Precarn, explained that, "we are very pleased to be a partner with the Alberta Government and Western Economic Diversification Canada in this collaborative program to support the research, development and application of advanced technologies as a means to build a solid economic foundation for Alberta and Canada. This partnership demonstrates Precarn's commitment to expand its network through collaborative partnerships, and has allowed Precarn to open its first satellite office in Edmonton. We invite industry to participate in this call for proposals and look forward to working with leading-edge Alberta companies to contribute to Alberta's economy."
Precarn is a not-for-profit company representing a national network of corporations, universities, colleges, research institutes and government partners engaged in the research and development of enabling technologies.
Concept documents for project proposals may be submitted until May 23 with final proposals due on July 11. Up to $600,000 is available per project. For more information about the request for proposal process, visit www.precarn.ca, call Peggy MacTavish at 780-441-3852, or email mactavish@precarn.ca.
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Donna Kinley
Western Economic Diversification Canada
780-495-6892
donna.kinley@wd-deo.gc.ca
Marie Cusack
Alberta Advanced Education and Technology
780-427-0038 marie.cusack@gov.ab.ca
To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
Gail Bergman
Precarn Incorporated
905-886-1340
gbergman@gailbergmanpr.com
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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