It Takes a Community to Commercialize a Technology

Peter Moore of Brightwell Technologies understands you can’t get a business going by staying in your backyard.

Brightwell (www.brightwelltech.com) develops image-based particle analysis technology that appeals to a broad range of industries and applications, including scientists developing biopharmaceuticals. When Peter looked for assistance with some marketing questions he used Ontario’s technology commercialization network to access specific expertise in the mid-western United States.

Starting a business, it’s usually just you and a great idea. So where do you turn to get advice, to learn more about your market, to identify your competitors, to get industry connections and most of all, to get money?

MaRS and the Ontario Centres of Excellence have established a platform of resources, including a network of experienced technology entrepreneurs, to better assist new entrepreneurs and developing technology companies. Available through the number of technology commercialization centres that have operated in Ontario for several years, these resources complement their current programs and activities as well as strengthen linkages in the network.

In Peter’s case, he was working with Michelle Scarborough, VP Investment and Commercialization at the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI), to obtain assistance in identifying new pharmaceutical opportunities for his Micro-Flow Imaging product line. Having identified a need for specific subject-matter expertise in this domain, Michelle turned to assistance from the Market Readiness Program, the suite of resources on offer.

Through this program, Peter was able to obtain more than $8,000 to contract the services of a world-class domain expert from Michigan to help him map out the next key steps to expand Brightwell’s opportunities in this market.

Ontario’s Market Readiness Program was created for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. This program links organizations in Ontario’s Commercialization Network in order to provide entrepreneurs with:

Advice: Successful entrepreneurs act as mentors to help answer fundamental questions on company development.

Market Research: Access to search services and high quality market research reports from IDC, Forrester, Frost and Sullivan etc.

FAQs: A variety of online resources to help answer questions frequently asked by entrepreneurs.

Connections: A service to help companies establish contact with industry experts.

Money: Up to $10,000 funding for commercialization projects and investment of up to $500,000 seed capital.

For companies like Brightwell, the opportunities are just beginning. When Ontario’s Commercialization Network is fully rolled out it will be able to provide a seamless platform that can be used by any technology company to accelerate its development.

For more information on the network and how you can begin utilizing these resources, contact Programs Manager Amie Sergas (asergas@marsdd.com).

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MaRS FACTS

MaRS provides advisory services to entrepreneurs – from market intelligence and financing, to partnership building, sales and PR advice – through its team of Venture Group advisors.