Social Innovation Network to be Anchored at MaRS
At MaRS, we believe that the most innovative solutions to intractable problems come when disparate groups of people come together to brainstorm. This belief in the importance of bringing people together anchors everything we do and forms the foundation of our philosophy of “convergence innovation.”
For our first two years, we have focused on connecting investors, entrepreneurs and scientists to accelerate the commercialization of discoveries and innovative technologies. Fostering these connections remains at the core of our mission to build global companies, but in recent months MaRS has begun exploring ways to apply its technology, resources and assets in a new direction — to help social innovators in the same way we support technology innovators.
“Social innovation” refers to a new set of creative solutions to unmet social needs — from environmental degradation and homelessness to global poverty. As an organization dedicated to unlocking the potential of great ideas, MaRS already has many of the skills and networks required to help innovators and entrepreneurs of all kinds ensure their best ideas reach the communities they are driven to serve.
To that end, MaRS has been invited to anchor a new national network called SiG (for Social innovation Generation). Driven by the leadership of the Montreal-based J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, other nodes of the network will be at the University of Waterloo and the Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) in Vancouver.
At MaRS, SiG will focus on building new linkages between social innovators and venture philanthropists, developing seminars and programs to support emerging organizations and their leaders — with a particular focus on the impact of technology — and expanding Canada’s small cluster of social enterprises.
This could mean connecting a young entrepreneur with the advisors and investors required to take their product or process into the world or helping an established local organization scale up and extend its reach across the province.
“All too often, ideas for transformative social change are impeded by lack of resources, lack of support or lack of networks,” says Tim Brodhead, CEO of the McConnell Foundation.
“SiG is designed to provide the theoretical and practical support social innovators need to both create and grow their organizations.”
MaRS’ work in this emerging field is supported by a significant grant from the Government of Ontario, funding that underscores the province’s determination to view innovation as broadly as possible. The process of innovation and the broad social and economic benefits that follow goes well beyond science and technology — and through SiG, MaRS is excited to play a role in making that possible.
Click here for more information on SiG@MaRS >>
For our first two years, we have focused on connecting investors, entrepreneurs and scientists to accelerate the commercialization of discoveries and innovative technologies. Fostering these connections remains at the core of our mission to build global companies, but in recent months MaRS has begun exploring ways to apply its technology, resources and assets in a new direction — to help social innovators in the same way we support technology innovators.
“Social innovation” refers to a new set of creative solutions to unmet social needs — from environmental degradation and homelessness to global poverty. As an organization dedicated to unlocking the potential of great ideas, MaRS already has many of the skills and networks required to help innovators and entrepreneurs of all kinds ensure their best ideas reach the communities they are driven to serve.
To that end, MaRS has been invited to anchor a new national network called SiG (for Social innovation Generation). Driven by the leadership of the Montreal-based J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, other nodes of the network will be at the University of Waterloo and the Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) in Vancouver.
At MaRS, SiG will focus on building new linkages between social innovators and venture philanthropists, developing seminars and programs to support emerging organizations and their leaders — with a particular focus on the impact of technology — and expanding Canada’s small cluster of social enterprises.
This could mean connecting a young entrepreneur with the advisors and investors required to take their product or process into the world or helping an established local organization scale up and extend its reach across the province.
“All too often, ideas for transformative social change are impeded by lack of resources, lack of support or lack of networks,” says Tim Brodhead, CEO of the McConnell Foundation.
“SiG is designed to provide the theoretical and practical support social innovators need to both create and grow their organizations.”
MaRS’ work in this emerging field is supported by a significant grant from the Government of Ontario, funding that underscores the province’s determination to view innovation as broadly as possible. The process of innovation and the broad social and economic benefits that follow goes well beyond science and technology — and through SiG, MaRS is excited to play a role in making that possible.
Click here for more information on SiG@MaRS >>
- To learn more about social innovation, check out the Centre for Social Innovation at www.socialinnovation.ca and the McConnell Foundation at www.mcconnellfoundation.ca.
- A range of research reports are also available from the Canadian Policy Research Networks at www.cprn.org.
BROWSE PAGES
- MaRS Convergence: Spring 2008
- MaRS Convergence: Fall 2007
- Artists Converge at MaRS, too
- Flagship Program Supported
- Advancing Regenerative Medicine
- Governator Pumps Up Research
- Pain Research Attracts Financing
- Not Just a Pretty Façade
- Phase II: MaRS Goes Global
- Toronto Lures Florida
- Venture Capital Moves to MaRS
- Tenant Profile: Octopz
- Social Innovation Network to be Anchored at MaRS
- MaRS Convergence: Winter 2006/07
- MaRS Convergence: Fall 2006
- MaRS Convergence: Winter 2005
