Podium speakers at the WD Announcement
L to R: Dr. Kellogg Booth, Scientific Director, GRAND; Bonne Zabolotney, Dean, Design and Dynamic Media, Emily Carr University of Art + Design; Steven Forth, Technology entrepreneur and CEO of Leverage Point Innovations; MP Andrew Saxton, Parliamentary Secretary for Western Economic Diversification
The Canadian government, through Western Economic Diversification (WD), announced a funding commitment to boost GRAND's research commercialization initiatives. The two-year agreement will support technology transfer, start-up creation, prototype development and networking events. WD's $399,000 will be matched by GRAND and industry for a total investment of $649,000 for the digital media economies of BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
“Our investment in GRAND will help provide enormous benefits for B.C.’s vibrant and growing digital economy,” said Andrew Saxton, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver and Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and for Western Economic Diversification, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. “This project will provide new technologies, exciting knowledge-based jobs and stronger, more competitive companies.”
The program expects to develop nine technology prototypes, conduct 40 technology demonstrations and bring nine technologies to market.
"GRAND is uniquely positioned to deliver cutting-edge research to the marketplace," explained Dr. Kellogg Booth, scientific director, GRAND. "Digital media research conducted within our network has the potential to directly impact the products, services and businesses of tomorrow and the everyday lives of Canadians. GRAND researchers are active all across Canada. The WD investment will be a catalyst for our western initiatives."
The August 19 announcement took place at the first annual Design Thinking UnConference at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, one of GRAND's 24 member universities.