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#1 in Canada for Innovation

SFU supports entrepreneurial research at every level.

Together, our partners and researchers are building high-impact innovations and companies that are solving pressing challenges in clean technology, computing, human health and more.
 

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#1 Canadian Comprehensive University*

#1 in Canada for Innovation†

#1 in the world for sustainable cities & communities‡

*Maclean's University Rankings, 2024
World University Rankings for Innovation, 2023
Times Higher Education Impact Ranking, 2023

Putting Research to Work

SFU's innovation ecosystem helps researchers move from lab to market, turning innovation into real impact.

 

SFU Mechatronics researchers from pose around a mannequin wearing the XoMotion robotic exoskeleton
Left to right: Ed Park, Siamak Arzanpour, and Chloe Angus.

 

Supporting innovation at every step 

XoMotion is the result of a decade of SFU-led research and the product of an SFU spin-off company, Human in Motion Robotics (HMR) Inc. The company has recently garnered millions in investment, an overseas partnership and a suite of new offices in Vancouver.

Leading Innovation, Leading Innovators

By providing access to world-class research infrastructure and expertise, SFU is attracting renowned research entrepreneurs and innovators in emerging technology sectors.

 

SFU professor Stephanie Simmons leaning against a concrete pillar in SFU's Academic Quadrangle
Stephanie Simmons, SFU associate professor and Canada Research Chair in Silicon Quantum Technologies (Tier 2).

 

Developing Canada’s quantum future

Photonic, a quantum computing  company co-founded by SFU associate professor Stephanie Simmons, recently announced a partnership with Microsoft valued at $100M USD. SFU resources like 4D Labs and the Partnership Hub have helped Simmons grow the the company into a world-leader in quantum computing.

Supporting the Innovation Journey

SFU's innovation ecosystem provides flexible supports to researchers at all levels, at any stage of the innovation journey.

 

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Ben Britton, SFU alumnus and CTO of Ionomr Innovations Inc.

 

From student to CEO

Ionomr Innovations was co-founded by Ben Britton as a PhD candidate at SFU's Holdcroft Lab. Britton received support along the way from the Beedie School of Business i2I program, Coast Capital Venture Connection and SFU Venture Labs. Ionomr has now secured over $50M CAD in investment and was named to the Cleantech Group’s 2023 Global Cleantech 100 list.

Impactful partnerships Happen Here

Through access to shared infrastructure, expertise and talent, we are building partnerships to de-risk emerging technologies and maximize social economic impact.

 

Professor Steven Holdcroft sitting at a table in a chemistry lab
Steven Holdcroft, SFU professor and Canada Research Chair in Electrochemical Materials (Tier 1).

 

Fueling clean energy innovation

Led by SFU professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Electrochemical Materials, Steven Holdcroft, SFU's Hydrogen Hub will serve as a global centre for research and innovation to connect energy sector stakeholders to SFU research expertise. Together with our partners, we will accelerate development of hydrogen technologies for use in industries and communities in Canada and across the world. 

 

Connect with Innovation

Be a part of SFU's innovation ecosystem.

Connect with us to inquire about creating partnerships and research opportunities at SFU.

The personal information in this form is collected by the Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation, on behalf of SFU under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This information is related directly to, and needed by, the University to link you with the appropriate expertise and resources at SFU. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information, please contact vprcomms@sfu.ca.