Alberta Small Business Innovation and Research Initiative

Connecting Innovators with the Right Problems

GoA Innovation Support Cycle Investment

Vehicles

Outcomes Reporting

Government of Alberta

(MinEDT)

Alberta Companies

Technology Development &

Commercialization

Outcomes for Albertans

Programs

Alberta Innovates (AI)

AI

ARC

Capacity Building Investments

Technology Development Applied R&D

Commercialization Centres

Research

SME Support & Commercialization

Strategic Initiatives Innovation System

Support

Investment Vehicle

Technology Commercialization Curve Programs

Time

Tech

Com

m C

urve

Investigation

Feasibility

Development

Demonstration

Market Entry Programs are designed to

support Alberta companies throughout the spectrum of their

technology commercialization

activities.

Growth

AI – Industry Programs (Subset) Programs

TRL1 TRL2 TRL3 TRL4 TRL5 TRL6 TRL7 TRL8 TRL9

mVoucher Program

Voucher Program

Product Demo Program

hProduct Demo Program

cProduct Demo Program

Alberta Small Business I&R Pilot

How is ASBIR different?

Alberta Small Business I&R Potential

AI – Industry Programs (Subset) Programs

How is ASBIR different?

Technology Developer

End-user

Orig

in o

f “C

halle

nge”

Origin of “Solution” End-user

Technology Developer

Vouchers

PDPs

ASBIRI

Designed to match SME technology innovation

to end-user needs.

Alberta Small Business Innovation & Research Initiative

Defined Challenges

Large and Multinational

Enterprise (End-user)

Small Medium Enterprise Solutions

Small Medium Enterprise Solutions

Selection Process

ASBIR Projects

Value to L/MNE Reduced risk / high reward interaction Access to a proven innovation

procurement platform Value to SME Opportunity to showcase technology

to a potential customer Simultaneous tech and market

development Value to Alberta Economic development and

diversification Job creation

How do we get HERE?

Alberta Small Business Innovation & Research Initiative

Defined Challenges

Large and Multinational

Enterprise (End-user)

Small Medium Enterprise Solutions

Small Medium Enterprise Solutions

Selection Process

ASBIR Opportunities

Opportunity Development Process 1) Qualify End-users 2) Qualify Challenges 3) Qualify Solutions (open-call) 4) Qualify Projects 5) Invest

Qualify End-users

Qualify Challenges

Qualify Solutions

Qualify Projects Invest

End-user Attributes Preferably a strong presence in Alberta Capability and capacity to actively participate in

the Program (skin in the game) Capability and capacity to procure a successful

technological solution (not a requirement) High-level of market influence

Qualify End-users

Qualify Challenges

Qualify Solutions

Qualify Projects Invest

Challenge Attributes Targeting novel or situation-novel technology

solutions, no “plug-and-play” solutions Tangible within the current operating environment of

the end-user Not a “one-and-done” situation, broader applicability

to other end-users is better Must align with GoA innovation priority areas.

Qualify End-users

Qualify Challenges

Qualify Solutions

Qualify Projects Invest

Solution Attributes Small-medium enterprise (SME)

Is there a feasible business model in place? Does the appropriate internal expertise exist? Is there a viable capital plan in place?

Technology Is the technology a likely solution for the challenge? Is the technology at an appropriate technology readiness level for this program? Is there a viable intellectual property strategy in place? Have regulatory hurdles been identified and addressed?

Market Is the addressable target market meaningful and significant? What does the competitive landscape look like?

Qualify End-users

Qualify Challenges

Qualify Solutions

Qualify Projects Invest

Project Attributes Adherence to Program “Rules”

Contributions, expenses, timelines, etc.

Appropriate project team (including key stakeholders/partners) with clearly delineated roles and responsibilities

Logical project implementation plan Quantifiable milestones and deliverables (business or technical) Strong understanding of what a successful project would look

like and the level of impact on Alberta as a whole

Qualify End-users

Qualify Challenges

Qualify Solutions

Qualify Projects Invest

Investment Attributes Funding Envelope

Up to $1.0M Gated against milestone achievement

Contribution Requirements Up to 75% of the total cost by AITF or other government

funding

Time Constraints Maximum of 5 years

Qualify End-users

Qualify Challenges

Qualify Solutions

Qualify Projects Invest

Targets Near-term (2-6 weeks)

One (1) environment-related challenge One (1) health-related challenge

Medium-term (2-4 months) Two (2) challenges in any one of the following GoA priority

areas: Energy, Environment, Fibre, Bio-industrial, Food, Agriculture,

Health

Long-term (12-24 months) Multiple challenges as needed

QUESTIONS?? Raja Mita, PhD., MBA Director, Alberta Small Business Innovation Program P: (587).783.8502 E: raja.mita@albertainnovates.ca