About the Innovation Office
Mission Statement
The mission of the Innovation Office (formerly UILO) at Simon Fraser University is to facilitate the creation of new university-industry research and development partnerships, and to commercialize the results of University-based research with a view to contributing to economic growth and diversification in British Columbia and Canada through the creation of new businesses and new jobs.
Goals
- Technology Management: to effectively manage Intellectual Property (IP) creation and commercialization (encouraging IP creation and technology disclosures, assessment, valuation and protection) for researchers, students and staff;
- Commercialization: to commercialize IP (via licensing, spin-off and start-up company creation);
- Mentoring: to establish programs that provide opportunities for students, faculty, staff, research associates and others to engage in entrepreneurial activity and learn skills which will assist them to start new businesses in British Columbia;
- Collaboration: to work with internal and external groups engaged with industry in order to better manage industry relationships, and with external agencies and associations involved in technology transfer and development, and;
- Information: to communicate the impact and benefits of SFU research and technology transfer activities to corporate, government, university stakeholders, media and the community.
The IO receives ongoing support for its activities & programs from SFU, including support from the IDC program of the federal granting councils. Operating support for the IO is also provided by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Government of British Columbia, through the Science & Technology Fund managed by BCIC. The IO also receives project and program support from Western Economic Diversification Canada and the IRAP program of the National Research Council.
