Alberta Economy

[Fuzz]

I'd like to see far more resources directed to Universities for research, and creating programs to monetize innovation that comes from it. We often here about cool stuff that our Universities discover or create. I think it is worthwhile, and if we could use it as a base to incentivize new industry it would be worth the investment.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I'd like to see far more resources directed to Universities for research, and creating programs to monetize innovation that comes from it. We often here about cool stuff that our Universities discover or create. I think it is worthwhile, and if we could use it as a base to incentivize new industry it would be worth the investment.

The Government tries to support this behaviour...a couple of challenges...

Often the University tries to wrap up the IP to gain profit for the Univeristy...by doing so they take so much equity that the entrepreneurial drive of the researcher is squashed and the technology goes nowhere

And the Universities are not easy/familiar for Industry to work with..

But programs like Mitacs are an example of what can help

[Fuzz]

Well ya, my thought is to fix this by making new polices to support and govern it.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

I am all for what is being suggested for better fiscal policy...

However, I am VERY nervous that our economy is so dependant on the internal combustion engine and the demand for fossil fuel it creates.

The IC engine may stay around for a loooong time...or battery technology may improve and vehicle systems may evolve away from carrying the fossil fuel with them...moving the energy generation into the grid.

So the long and short of it is that the bitumen gravy train may last for a looooong time (I hope it does) but best to upgrade the economy while we can in case the train runs out of steam.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

The Government tries to support this behaviour...a couple of challenges...

Often the University tries to wrap up the IP to gain profit for the Univeristy...by doing so they take so much equity that the entrepreneurial drive of the researcher is squashed and the technology goes nowhere

And the Universities are not easy/familiar for Industry to work with..

But programs like Mitacs are an example of what can help

That's a blanket statement. It really depends on the program/faculty. Medicine and Engineering at the UofC have done a very good job in matching funding with researchers, and then leaving them alone.