Overview of how CCR works

CCR Funding and Governance

Ontario Centres of Excellence's CCR is funded by the federal government under a Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program for Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR).

The CECR program is overseen by a tri-agency NCE Steering Committee made up of the Deputy Minister of Industry Canada, the Presidents of the three granting agencies and the President of the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Day-to-day administration of the CECR program is provided by the Networks of Centres of Excellence Secretariat. OCE is accountable to the Secretariat for the CCR funding.

CCR has received a grant for a five-year period under a funding agreement between OCE and the three granting agencies.

Mission and Objectives

The specific mission of CCR is to:

• Support Canadian entrepreneurs to accelerate the commercial introduction of leading edge technologies, goods, services and business models in the priority areas of the federal Science and Technology Strategy:
  • health
  • information and communications technology
  • environment
  • energy and natural resources
• Play a key role in building a Canada-wide commercialization network
• Promote a Canadian culture of entrepreneurship

The strategic objectives of CCR are to:

• Increase the scale and impact of economic and social returns from public investments in research congruent to OCE's programs
• Increase the number of entrepreneurs in priority areas
• Increase the number of companies that progress successfully through the stages of commercialization and become sustainable, global competitors;
• Develop a best practice, scalable commercialization model encompassing all necessary resources to ensure the success of innovative companies

CCR's Commercialization Model

During CCR's first full year of operations, OCE has brought its innovation expertise to bear in developing a CCR model to addresses gaps to ensure that innovative research is translated into real business opportunities with economic and social benefits. The model identifies the need to support the early stages of commercial development of young, innovative companies. It also helps reduce the risk for future, private investors who may consider putting capital into these promising opportunities.

CCR works exclusively with early-stage entrepreneurs and emerging enterprises. These enterprises have either developed innovations in Canadian publicly-funded research institutions or have a relationship with such an institution. There are also instances where a company will set up a formal relationship with a research institution as part of its commercialization plan.

CCR helps these emerging businesses grow to the point where they can attract private investment, and ultimately become sustainable, global competitors. CCR is able to assist these young companies and their management teams in navigating the sometimes tricky business waters offering assistance and advice on issues such as management, marketing, technology (intellectual property) strategy, product development and financing.

The CCR model has a number of components that make it extremely valuable to young emerging companies such as:

• its role as a trusted catalyst that brings regional players together
• its positioning at the point where academia and business meet
• its ability to draw on the strength of its vast networks, to access new discoveries, assess the viability of the business plan and tap sources of support and partnership
• its unique ability (illustrated below) to create synergies that link the various players in the commercialization space.

The Road to Commercialization

Market pulls and influences research. Research feeds and influences the market. At OCE, we understand that. And whether you are looking for business advisory, connections, facilitated access, embedded executives, or a way to enable financing, we can offer the support you need.

Summary of CCR's Resources

Companies can access OCE's own commercialization programs, as well as the capabilities of partner organizations across Canada, including Canada's investment community, ensuring that businesses have access to a comprehensive suite of resources and expertise. Through OCE's network, the Centre can help companies build relationships in the research and business communities and deliver a continuous stream of talent and new ideas to support growth.

Available support and advice:

• Facilitated Access to Business Resources
• Commercialization Resources
• Embedded Executives
• Facilitated Access to Capital
• New Entrepreneur Micro-Finance
• Event Sponsorship
• Funding Levels

Click here to learn more.

A plan will be developed to fit the specific needs of the company.

CCR - Part of a Network of Partnerships

CCR's activities takes place within the context of a regional ecosystem designed to realize maximum synergies and leverage. Young companies, even those that are globally oriented, typically rely on a local support system. Delivering support in their backyard in a manner that is both collaborative and fast simplifies the process for entrepreneurs and reduces their costs.

CCR's sustainability plan requires that the funds directed toward successful CCR applicant companies provide a return on investment equal to or greater than the monies provided in the form of financial instruments.

All CCR partnerships aim to improve the results achieved with NCE funding, by:

• expanding the range of business resources accessible by clients,
• improving the quality of service provided to clients,
• continuously improving the CCR Product Model, and
• stretching dollars through leverage and efficiencies.

These are the criteria used when partnership opportunities are assessed and decisions made.

Regional Partnerships and Alliances

The CCR Product Model is based on a mix of partnerships and alliances. Operational partnerships, such as that with MaRS Innovation, the Accelerator for Commercialization Excellence, and the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation, are established at the regional level. Some are regional, provincial or broader – examples being the National Research Council's IRAP and ISTP Canada. We also act as a catalyst to encourage grass root resource alliances in communities across Ontario with groups such as the Ontario Partnership for Innovation and Commercialization.

National Networks

CCR is a key player in the Canadian commercialization network, through the Networks of Centres of Excellence.

International Partnerships

CCR Leveraging its global network, CCR can connect entrepreneurs to partners and resources in foreign also has specific connections in certain emerging market countries such as Brazil, China, India and Israel.

CCR's international partnerships serve two main purposes: (1) to help clients to access resources and markets in other countries, and (2) to find, acquire and share exemplary practices in commercialization.

Internal Organization of CCR

In Ontario, the responsibility for CCR client and partnership management, and the delivery of services and support, is divided into three regions:

• Southwestern and Northern Ontario (base: Waterloo)
• GTA (base: Toronto)
• Eastern Ontario (base: Ottawa)

The delivery vehicle for the CCR model, and the primary interaction with clients, is the regional Director of Commercialization (DC), who is accountable for the management of client and partner relations in each respective region.

With respect to governance, the OCE Board of Directors has fiduciary responsibility for CCR and approves CCR's Business Plan and Annual Report. The CCR Board of Management (BoM) provides guidance and advice to the Managing Director, and to OCE's CEO and board, on CCR's strategy and long-term sustainability. The NCE Secretariat has observer status on both boards. The BoM meets a minimum of three times during the year, including a session on the strategic plan.

The Managing Director (MD) reports to the CEO of OCE, and is accountable to the OCE board and to the NCE Secretariat for CCR's performance. The MD provides strategic leadership and accountability for CCR.

Overview of the Decision Process

CCR has developed and continuously improves its adjudication and decision process.

The CCR Program Manual, which is updated regularly, outlines the stages and decision criteria for the selection and approval of investment opportunities for CCR funding. The key decision points are the Commercialization Investment Committee (CIC), OCE's Vice-President of Finance, the Managing Director of CCR, and OCE's CEO. The Commercialization Investment Committee (CIC) receives and considers written reviews prepared by external reviewers which are an important part of the assessment process. For investments greater than $100,000, an external panel meets to discuss the application independently and the outcome is reported to the CIC committee for adjudication.

Expert Reviewers are drawn from OCE's network of experts and come from academia, industry and the financial community. They are carefully selected on a case by case basis for their knowledge regarding the individual technology or service involved.

Click here to find out more about CCR's resources, eligibility and engagement process.

The Centre for Commercialization of Research is supported by the federal government through a Networks of Centres of Excellence program.