Issue #209
March 15, 2010
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This newsletter is published by ONRIS at the Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto, and sponsored by the Ministry of Research and Innovation. The views and ideas expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Ontario Government.
ANNOUNCEMENTS [Table of Contents]
$1.9 Billion for Research, Tech Innovations in Canada's 2010 Budget
Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty recently presented a budget plan for the upcoming year that includes $19 billion in new federal stimulus funds as part of Canada's two-year, $62 billion Economic Action Plan. The 2010 budget directs $1.9 billion, or 10 percent of the stimulus funds, for post-secondary education infrastructure, research, technology innovation and environmental protection.
Tech Alliance Announces US$3.5 Billion Venture Fund and Jobs Initiative
Sixteen American technology companies, including Intel, Google and Microsoft, have launched a new initiative to boost the U.S. tech economy. The Invest in America Alliance is planning a two-prong approach, building a $3.5 billion national venture fund and securing commitments from U.S. companies to increase their hiring of recent college graduates. Leaders of the effort say that it will complement the federal stimulus and create a more favorable environment for American competitiveness. Intel Capital, along with 24 venture capital firms have pledged to invest the $3.5 billion over the next two years in U.S. based-technology companies. The participating firms will target innovative sectors, including clean technology, information technology and biotech.
University of Texas Launches Campus-WIde Commercialization Effort
The University of Texas at Austin recently announced the formation of a university-wide initiative to support technology commercialization, entrepreneurship and innovation. Venture Labs Texas will assist new ventures at the university and broker deals with sources of capital, including venture funds, angel investors and Texas' Emerging Technology Fund.
EDITOR'S PICK [Table of Contents]
Edward Birnbaum, Dan Cohen, Melissa Harris, and Peter Warrian, TRRA
This report exposes the current state of innovation and knowledge flows in the automotive, advanced manufacturing and steel sectors in the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH). It provides a brief overview of sector-specific findings, highlighting major trends, advantages and disadvantages of the region, global knowledge partnerships, the role of universities and colleges and the effects of the recession on these sectors.
INNOVATION & RELATED POLICY [Table of Contents]
Eight Ideas for Improving the America COMPETES Act
Robert D Atkinson, ITIF
Reauthorizing the American COMPETES Act provides an opportunity to continue policies the U.S. needs to compete in the innovation-based global economy, but more can and should be done. In this report, ITIF President Rob Atkinson outlines eight ideas to improve the U.S. innovation system by leveraging non-federal resources and spurring education, technology commercialization, and institutional reforms at the federal level.
Accelerating Innovation in Energy: Insight from Multiple Sectors
Rebecca Henderson and Richard G. Newell, Harvard Business School
Several recent studies have suggested that significantly increasing the rate of innovation in the energy sector is a critical part of a cost-effective response to the threat of climate change.This literature has contributed to a lively discussion about how such acceleration might best be accomplished and, in particular, about the role that public policy in general and the federal government in particular might play in supporting innovation. This introductory chapter contributes to this discussion through an exploration of the histories of innovation in four particularly innovative sectors of the US economy: agriculture, chemicals, life sciences, and information technology.
Economic Policy Reforms 2010: Going for Growth
OECD
The world is currently facing the aftermath of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. This report examines the structural policy measures that have been taken in response to the crisis, evaluates their possible impact on long-term economic growth, and identifies the most imperative reforms needed to strengthen recovery. In addition, it provides a global assessment of policy reforms implemented in OECD member countries over the past five years to boost employment and labour productivity. Reform areas include education systems, product market regulation, agricultural policies, tax and benefit systems, health care and labour market policies. The internationally comparable indicators provided enable countries to assess their economic performance and structural policies in a wide range of areas.
CITIES, CLUSTERS & REGIONS [Table of Contents]
Dr. Gerd Meier zu Koecker, Institute for Innovation and Technology (IIT)
Clusters practitioners, policy makers, economic development agencies, as well as clusters managers themselves, are concerned with the reasons for the initial establishment of clusters. Why do certain clusters develop better than others? What do the perfect framework conditions look like for clusters development? Is it only a financial question? Is it usually due to favorable local factor conditions, demand conditions, or the presence of other related or supporting industries close by (in terms of the Porter diamond)? What kind of impact could public activities have? Can policy makers trigger the emergence of clusters? Are clusters comparable and can they be benchmarked in order to learn from the best? The main objective of this paper is to investigate the most competitive clusters in Germany in more detail, and to discuss the main findings of this first empirical evaluation.
STATISTICS & INDICATORS [Table of Contents]
US Venture Capital Dollars and Deals, 1995-2009
SSTI
Last year, U.S. venture capital investment dropped to its lowest level in over a decade, according to data from the PricewaterhouseCoopers Moneytree Survey and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). This drop was fuelled by the national economic crisis, which created a number of issues within the industry. Cash-strapped investors were less willing to make risky investments, venture firms avoided fundraising campaigns because of the overall climate, fewer venture-backed companies achieved successful exits and many venture capital firms dedicated their investments to supporting their portfolio companies. SSTI has prepared a table, based on PricewaterhouseCoopers/NVCA data, presenting venture investment levels over the past 15 years. The data includes annual venture dollars, per capita dollars, annual venture capital deals and average deal size in dollars. Population estimates are based on the U.S. Census Bureau Annual Population Survey.
POLICY DIGEST [Table of Contents]
Association of University Research Parks
In nearly every critical area of technology-led economic development, the United States was the originator or the leader. Now it lags far behind the competition. Clearly the United States is still the world’s largest economy. The United States has the largest number of innovators and entrepreneurs, and the world’s best higher-education and research system. With the “rise of the rest,” as it has been called, the United States needs to meet the global technology competition and recapture its former vigour to retake the lead in innovation. Yet, with looming federal deficits, the government does not have unlimited resources to spend. The federal government, through interagency programs and policies, needs to increase the alignment among its research universities, university research parks, technology incubators, sponsored program offices, corporate relations offices, and technology-transfer officials to meet better our nation’s global technology competition. In this report the AURP demonstrates how geography and connected communities play a large role in innovation. It offers ten steps - from policy changes to selected investments - that the US federal government can take quickly to leverage existing federal assets and, without developing new bureaucracies, to create jobs, technology companies, and communities of innovation.
1. Support research park infrastructure and the development of communities of innovation
The U.S. Senate (S. 583) and House of Representatives (H.R. 4413) are considering legislation that would provide planning grants and loan guarantees to build research parks and technology incubators, aligned with the President’s regional cluster strategy. Science parks have a strong record of fostering talent, high tech innovation and job growth. Providing seed funding to create or expand these parks is a necessary investment in the economy and global competitiveness.
2. Improve university technology transfer
By reforming the Office of Management and Budget federal grant and contract funding model to encourage commercialization efforts by principle investigators and support "cash for commercialization". Current federal grant and contract policies provide no funding or administrative flexibility by principle investigators for technology commercialization or initial proof-of-concept funding.
3. Support proof-of-concept funding
The NSF FY2011 budget includes a pilot program to develop this kind of funding. These efforts should be sustained and supported.
4. Improve technology commercialization from federal labs
By creating a congressionally chartered technology intermediary organization. This can be done by expanding the funding, authority, venture staffing, and venture acceleration capacity of the Federal Lab Consortium.
5. Connect federal researchers with private companies
The Obama administration has called on federal researchers to be more involved in private sector companies. No comprehensive agency-wide program exists, however, to allow federal research assigments with private companies in a transparent way. This report makes several recommendations on how such a program could be implemented.
6. Create more private sector involvement near federal lab and regional research clusters
This report recommends the expansion of the Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) authority, which allows leasing of federal land and equipment, to all federal agencies, not just Department of Defense agencies. Federal leasing of research assets near existing innovation assets, such as universities, research parks, and technology incubators to create innovation clusters should be encouraged.
7. Expand the corporate R&D tax credit
Expanding the Alternative Simplified Tax Credit (ASC) for research and development would not only spur job creation but it would boost the country's long-term innovation capacity.
8. Reform export controls
Removing troublesome clauses from reserach projects not affecting the fundamental security of the country will encourage more partnerships between academia and industry. Uncertainty and the too strict application of the current export control system have proved barriers in developing research relationships.
9. Keep corporate R&D in the US by eliminating the link to university IP licensing in "private use" restrictions in university facilities
Congress should remove federal IRS tests related to intellectual property licensing by universities to corporate research in facilities funded by tax-exempt bonds.
10. Encourage entrepreneurship as a national goal, and include entrepreneurship in STEM initiatives
Job creation in the US will largely depend on start up companies and individual entrepreneurs. The concept of entrepreneurship needs to be embedded in all STEM activities and policies.
EVENTS [Table of Contents]
9th Annual Re$earch Money Conference: Industrial R&D: Is Canada Really Lagging?
Ottawa, 25 March, 2010
Corporate R&D is being transformed. The large industrial research lab is no longer the norm. Multinational firms now globally distribute their R&D and collaborate with partners in public and private sector institutions. Does the “new normal” offer opportunities to a country like Canada? Speakers and panellists include H. Douglas Barber Co-founder and Former CEO, Gennum Corp and Distinguished Professor in Residence, McMaster University, Bill Buxton, Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research, Fred Gault Professorial Fellow, United Nations University MERIT, Raymond Leduc Director, Bromont Manufacturing, IBM Canada, David Miller Senior VP, The Woodbridge Group.
A Strategic Blueprint for New York City's Future
Toronto, 26 March, 2010
This seminar presented by the Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance at the Munk Centre for International Studies and the Neptis Foundation
features Amanda M Burden, the Chair of the New York City Planning Commission and Director of the Department of CIty Planning who will speak about strategic planning in New York City. Since her appointment by Mayor Bloomberg in 2002, Commissioner Burden has spearheaded the largest planning effort in the city since 1961, setting the stage for sustainable development, reclaiming New York’s waterfront, designing new parkland and public spaces such as the High Line and promoting great architecture and urban design in all five boroughs. Seating is limited for this even so please register by March 10th to reserve your place.
ORION Summit 2010: From Here to the Future - At an Innovation Crossroads
Toronto, 12-13 April, 2010
ORION Summit 2010 will be a celebration of achievements, bringing together leading researchers, scientists, educators and innovators to map out what researchers and educators will be able to do in the future, with cutting-edge advanced and collaborative technologies and new and exciting applications and services that will help place Ontario at the global vanguard of the innovation and knowledge-based economy. Attend the Summit for informative and inspiring keynote speakers and breakout sessions on topics ranging from the latest collaborative tools for research and education, health research, digital media, college/industry collaboration, and more.
The Organization, Economics and Policy of Scientific Research
Torino, Italy, 23-24 April, 2010
The aim of the workshop is to bring together a small group of scholars interested in the analysis of the production and diffusion of scientific research from an economics, historical, organizational and policy perspective. The workshop does not have a narrow focus; it aims to include papers form the various streams of research developed in recent years in and around the area of public and private scientific research. To submit a contribution and for further information contact: Aldo Geuna (aldo.geuna@unito.it)
and Francesco Quatraro (brick@carloalberto.org).
12th Annual ISRN Conference 
is
Toronto, 5-7 May, 2010
The twelfth and final meeting of the Innovation Systems Research Network begins with Policy Day on Wednesday, May 5th. This is to provide a forum where the members of our research team, including co-investigators, domestic collaborators and our distinguished Research Advisory Committee members who come from various disciplines in Europe and the United States, can meet with federal, provincial and municipal officials who have an interest in the outcomes of our current major research initiative entitled: Social Dynamics of Economic Performance in City-Regions. The focus is on the contribution of physical, research and cultural infrastructure to innovation and creativity in urban city regions.The ISRN National Meeting continues onThursday and Friday, May 6th and May 7th. During these sessions, our project researchers will be presenting the results of our ongoing research with cross city comparisons and perspectives.Limited non ISRN member registration is available. Register using one of the guest registration options for any or all of the three days. Breakfast and lunch is included with your registration, with a cash bar reception on Policy Day. There is a registration option to join us for the Annual ISRN Dinner on Thursday evening. A cost recovery fee is charged to Non-Members.
The Rightful Place of Science?
Tempe, Arizona, 16-19 May, 2010
This conference will address the challenges facing a society that is at once utterly dependent on science and technology and yet equally unprepared to govern the implications of that dependence. In his inaugural address, President Obama promised to “restore science to its rightful place” in U.S. society, but that location is far from obvious. How can we understand this provocative formulation in the context of the complexity, uncertainty, and political, social and cultural diversity that mark our world?In this conference – amid art, music, literature, media, humor and more – we will explore the place of science in society and how science and technology can most effectively contribute to an improved quality of life for all. The transformative potential of science and technology challenges our ability to understand and shape our common destiny. What inquiries, communities, networks, and institutions can improve our ability to effectively engage this challenge?
Ontario Centres of Excellence Discovery 10
Toronto, 17-18 May, 2010
Connect with dynamic business leaders, investors, researchers and entrepreneurs at Discovery 2010 – Canada's foremost innovation and commercialization event. Learn about exciting successes and emerging trends in advanced health, clean technology, digital media, manufacturing and the green economy. Meet the people whose cutting-edge ideas and technologies are driving Ontario's innovation economy.
Pecs, Hungary, 24-26 May, 2010
An increasingly complex array of actors is involved in today's regional development agendas. They range from private firms and labour organizations to government and non-government institutions. Despite the growing awareness in the public and academic domains of the multi-actor nature of regional development, we still often struggle to fully comprehend the mutually interactive strategies and practices which cut across regions and countries. In light of recent upheavals in the global economic and financial system, such an understanding will be critical to future studies of regional development. Indeed this interest in actors, institutions and organizations in regional development needs to be properly grounded in the wider contexts of global change in economic imperatives, transnational working and cooperation and environmental concerns. To some regions, these contexts provide favourable and timely frameworks for action and initiatives. Other regions may find these contexts increasingly challenging and threatening. Taken together, understanding better these broader contexts can provide important insights into regional development potential, planning and practices and establish the agenda for research and policy. We welcome papers from all – academics, students and those working in policy and practice. The event is inclusive and offers major networking opportunities for scholars in our field.
BioEnergy Conference & Exhibition 2010
Prince George, BC, 8-10 June, 2010
The International BioEnergy Conference and Exhibition is the Canadian leader in the global dialogue on bioenergy. Our sponsors, speakers, exhibitors and delegates are key influencers and opinion shapers from around the world on the new technologies and processes that will bring about a global change in the way we perceive and use energy. With the addition of the BC Bioenergy Network as Conference Co-Host, the tradition of leadership and excellence will continue in 2010. We are also happy to announce that the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade will once again co-host the 2nd International Partnerships Forum and Business to Business Meetings. And 2010 will also mark the introduction of a parallel conference on Emerging Clean Technologies.
Opening Up Innovation: Strategy, Organization and Innovation
London, 16-18 June, 2010
The DRUID Summer Conference 2010 intends to explore new theoretical, empirical and methodological advances in industrial dynamics, contributing novel insights and stimulating a lively debate about how economic systems and organizations evolve. The conference will include an exciting programme of plenary debates where internationally leading scholars take stands on contemporary issues within the overall conference theme. Both senior and junior scholars are invited to participate and contribute to the conference with a paper.
Aalborg, Denmark, 21-24 June, 2010
Schumpeter 2010 serves as an opportunity for both established scholars and young researchers to present research that has a Schumpeterian perspective. The major topic of the conference is "Innovation, Organisation, Sustainability and Crises". But the conference more generally embraces micro-studies of the innovation, routine and selection as well as studies of the macro-problems of Schumpeterian growth and development as a process of "creative destruction". The broad range of issues implies that both economists, business economists, and other social scientists can contribute to the conference and that evidence may be provided by statistical and historical methods as well as other methods.
Experience the Creative Economy
Toronto, 22-24 June, 2010
This is a unique conference which allows scholars new in their careers to experience notions of the creative economy in a small and focused setting. This conference will bring together up to 25 individuals with similar research interests to share their work, receive feedback, foster the development of effective research methods and to establish an ongoing framework of collaborative learning and mutual exchange for years to come.
CALL FOR PAPERS - Partnerships in S&T Policy Research
Waterville Valley, NH, 8-13 August, 2010
The 2010 Gordon Conference on Science and Technology Policy will focus on a wide range of research at the intersection of science, technology, policy and society. The 2010 Conference will focus in particular on further developing partnerships between North American and European researchers. Invited speakers represent a variety of scientific disciplines in the policy sciences, social and natural sciences as well as the humanities. The Conference will bring together a collection of investigators who are at the forefront of their field, and will provide opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to present their work in poster format and exchange ideas with leaders in the field. The collegial atmosphere of this Conference, with programmed discussion sessions as well as opportunities for informal gatherings in the afternoons and evenings, provides an avenue for scholars from different disciplines to brainstorm and promotes cross-disciplinary collaborations in the various research areas represented.
Triple Helix in the Development of Cities of Knowledge, Expanding Communities and Connecting Regions
Madrid, Spain, 20-22 Oct, 2010
Innovation is understood as a resultant of a complex and dynamic process related to interactions between University, Industry and Government, in a spiral of endless transitions. The Triple Helix approach, developed by Henry Etzkowitz and Loet Leydesdorff, is based on the perspective of University as a leader of the relationship with Industry and Government, to generate new knowledge, innovation and economic development. The main theme of our conference is “Triple Helix in the Development of Cities of Knowledge, Expanding Communities and Connecting Regions”.
Entrepreneurship and Community: 26th Annual CCSBE Conference
Calgary, 28-30 October, 2010
The theme this year is Entrepreneurship and Community. We are seeking to explore the multifaceted impact entrepreneurs and small businesses have on their communities through their new ventures, business and community outreach. There is growing recognition by policy makers, members of society, business leaders and youth, that creative approaches are needed to address environmental, economic, and societal issues. The conference program highlights the research, educational methods, and community practices pertaining to venture sustainability and social entrepreneurship. In support of the theme we have attracted an array of plenary and guest speakers, and developed workshops which will contribute to the dialogue.
Making Innovation Work for Society: Linking, Leveraging and Learning GLOBELICS 8th Annual Conference
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1-3 November, 2010
Global Network for Economics of Learning, Innovation, and Competence Building Systems (GLOBELICS) is an international network of scholars who apply the concept of "learning, innovation, and competence building system" (LICS) as their framework and are dedicated to the strengthening of LICS in developing countries, emerging economies and societies in transition. The research aims at locating unique systemic features as well as generic good practices to enlighten policy making relating to innovation, competence building, international competitiveness, regional development, labour market and human capital development. In an increasingly global and knowledge‐based competition, management strategies need to be based upon an understanding of these framework conditions and the public policies which seek to regulate the environment.
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