Ottawa 2020

Economic Strategy

5.3 Strategic Direction 3: Link innovation to the marketplace

Too often good ideas fall on barren ground, either not developed into products or, as products, fail to be marketed properly. Only by adopting the entrepreneurial mindset at every stage of the innovation system will Ottawa develop a true product-to-market culture.

Ottawa's strength in research, technology and innovation comes to the forefront in every economic analysis. The city is a leader in the telecommunications industry and is creating critical mass in microelectronics, software and communications, tourism and professional services. Another six industries are coming up quickly to create the next wave of the new economy: photonics, life sciences, wireless, creative industries, micro-electromechanical systems and environmental technologies. Only one element is missing-the continuous linkage from these innovators to the marketplace.

Link innovation to the marketplace suggests building bridges from the sources of innovation-individual creativity, science and research centres of excellence, and private-sector R&D laboratories-to the next step: technology, product development and business start-up.

These linkages and the culture supporting them must be strong enough to carry ideas all the way to market. Link innovation to the marketplace recognizes Ottawa's wealth of innovative resources and assists entrepreneurs and businesses to take the next step-creating marketable products and services, and successfully selling these to the local and global communities.

Next: 5.3.1 Research, discovery and development