IN PHOTO (l to r):
Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament Kelowna-Lake Country,
Peter Haubrich - President and Founder  Okanagan Research and Innovation Centre,
Tony Rahilly – Director General Industrial Research Assistance Program, National Research  Council Canada


Funding to the Okanagan Research & Innovation Centre will help keep high quality jobs in Canada

Penticton, British Columbia — Mr. Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna -Lake Country, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today announced a contribution of $200,000 to the Okanagan Research & Innovation Centre (ORIC) from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP).

The funding supports the design, implementation and delivery of a sustainable set of programs focused on small and medium-sized enterprises that will specifically support early stage technology companies in the Okanagan Valley.

"Our government is investing in science and technology to create jobs, strengthen the economy and improve Canadians’ quality of life," said Mr. Cannan. "This project will help ORIC expand their reach and stimulate our local economy. The Government of Canada is proud to be helping organizations like ORIC that benefit groups of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises.”

This $200,000 contribution for two years will assist ORIC will assist ORIC in its efforts to provide early stage companies with mentoring, support in access to funding, hosting experts in residence and entrepreneurial training. Furthermore NRC-IRAP’s contribution will be used to promote these programs, establish a client progress tracking and benchmarking system and develop relationships with partner organizations in the Okanagan Valley and beyond.

"Investing in science and technology is critical for developing highly skilled people and improving the long-term competitiveness of Canadian firms," said NRC President John McDougall.

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in the NRC Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics (NRC-HIA), ORIC is a not for profit organization with the objective of creating high-tech jobs and sustainable economic value for the Okanagan Valley.

“With NRC-IRAP’s support, we will be able to increase the survival rate of fledgling start-up companies through programs for mentorship, access to funding, partnerships and others,” said ORIC President, Peter Haubrich. “To support those companies, ORIC is using best practices from the worldwide growing business incubation industry.”


About NRC and NRC-IRAP

NRC-IRAP provides a range of both technical and business-oriented advisory services along with necessary financial support to qualified innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada. NRC-IRAP also supports organizations that benefit groups of small and medium-sized enterprises or whole communities in their development or contribution to the innovation network.

The program is delivered by a field staff of 240 professionals in more than 100 communities across Canada. The National Research Council is committed to working with firms while they realize their full potential, turning knowledge and innovation into strategic opportunities, jobs and prosperity for all Canadians.

The Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan has provided new resources of $200 million to the Industrial Research Assistance Program over two years to support innovative Canadian firms. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
 

For more information (media only), please visit NRC-IRAP’s Web site
http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irap.html or contact: