www.ssmic.com

• Located in new Essar Convergence Centre building at Algoma University

• National Research Council IRAP Office on-site

• SSMARt Innovation Awards

• Youth Outreach

• Entrepreneur Training

Business Incubation

Business Support Services

Market Development

Projects

A non-profit organization driving growth in the science and technology sectors

of the Algoma region.

• Established in 1999 to function as a catalyst for economic development and diversification in the information technology and knowledge-based sectors

• Focused on four core areas:• operating a business incubator to encourage the establishment and growth of business

start ups‐• providing support services to businesses in the technology and science community• supporting the establishment and enhancement of advanced research projects in the

region• undertaking strategic market development projects such as the highly successful GIS

project. • Operates an award winning GIS department that has been recognized internationally for its ‐

unique community information utility model and advanced work in the health and human services sector.

What is the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC)?

In 2000, SSMIC formed the Community Geomatics Centre (CGC) to assist the City of Sault Ste. Marie and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in developing an award-winning Integrated Geomatics Model. The CGC is committed to developing and supporting community partnerships, data sharing, and GIS.

The CGC has developed and maintains one of the world’s most comprehensive community-based GIS solutions, connecting more than 60 partners and thousands of layers of data from various sectors.

CGC has won many awards including the URISA Best Public Sector GIS in Ontario and most recently the URISA Innovation in GIS Award.

Community Geomatics Centre

• Municipal • Engineering• Public Works• Planning• Parks and Recreation • Transportation• Land Administration

• Utilities• Electric• Water• Wastewater• Telecom

Community Geomatics Centre

Economic DevelopmentEmergency ManagementHealth CarePublic CareSocial Services/Social DevelopmentEarly Childhood DevelopmentNatural Resources Renewable EnergyFirst Nations

Community Geomatics Centre

• Unique in Canada• Award winning• Growth mode – 20+

staff• Driving tangible

benefits to the region

Bio-Sciences

• Rural Agri-Innovation Network• Invasive Species Research Institute • Water Research and river sediment analysis

The Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) is a project of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre and NORDIK Institute, with collaboration and support from local associations, producers, businesses, municipalities, and funding organizations.

RAIN focuses on business growth and improved capacity for producers of rural based crops, commodities, value-added products and services in the Algoma region.

The 3-year pilot project will work alongside local collaborators to:

• Build relationships through networking, collaboration and priority setting to reinforce involvement from the agricultural community

• Build capacity of local producers and businesses in agriculture and food through practical workshops, sharing information, and assisting with market development

• Undertake research, tailored to the needs of local producers by conducting crop trials, fostering innovation and sharing research that improves the sector

Health Informatics

• Leverage national reputation of Group Health Centre• Algoma University

• Health Informatics Institute• ESRI Canada Health Informatics Research Chair

• Collaborations developing with numerous health organizations across Ontario and internationally

Game and App Technology

• Algoma Games for Health

• Protolaunch

• Algoma University gaming degrees

• Sault College Game Art program

• Digital Games Business Incubator Network

The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) Business Incubator is a facility designed specifically for supporting technology and science companies looking to develop and grow their business.

The Business Incubator offers a turnkey environment for clients in a professional facility at affordable monthly rates.

A business support team, along with a community of mentors, provide incubator clients with professional guidance.

Interested candidates are welcome to review the Entrance Process to determine if the Business Incubator is a viable solution in growing their business.

Business Incubation

• Increased access to business mentoring and services

• Three types of incubator space available including office suite, workstation, and “virtual” workstation.

• Complete office infrastructure, including telephones at each work station, with two phones per office suite and internet connection at each workstation (included in monthly fees)

• Clerical Support and a receptionist are available to handle incoming customer inquiries.

Facility and Services of the Business Incubator

Market Information. Through our strategic partners, we provide entrepreneurs access to premium market research resources and services at no cost.

Capital and Funding. With the support of our funding partners, we administer our own funding programs to support innovations in science and technology. We also work with clients to help determine their capital needs and assist them to access both our government and non-government funding opportunities.

Networking and Connections. We are a members of the Ontario Excellence Network (ONE), a collaborative network of organizations across Ontario designed to help entrepreneurs commercialize their ideas.

Potential Opportunities. We assist clients with science and technology ideas to develop and commercialize their innovations and turn technology ideas into successful and viable business opportunities.

Business Support Services

Business Support Services

• Access to small support programs:

• Innovation Accelerator Program (FedNor – 15% admin fee to SSMIC)• Small Firm Assistance Program (IRAP – 10% admin fee to SSMIC)• Professional Service Program (PSP – 10% admin fee to SSMIC)

• Small projects, quick turnaround

Innovator Accelerator Program (IAP)

• Program Objective

• To assist new business startups and existing small medium enterprises in Northern Ontario who are developing innovation in the science and technology sector with the initial commercialization steps required to accelerate product introduction and marketplace positioning, with potential in revenue generation and job creation.

• Examples of Industry Sectors:• Advanced Health Technologies• Digital Media and Information and Communication Technology (ICT)• Green Energy Technologies• Environmental – Clean Technologies• Environmental – Water Technologies• Agriculture• Forestry• Materials and Advanced Manufacturing• Nanotechnology• Financial Services

Innovator Accelerator Program (IAP)

• Eligible Activities under the IAP:• Contracted expertise for training in sales, global markets, management,

investment or any other business growth• Trade shows and related travel• Test-marketing• Product testing• Product shipping• Branding materials• E-commerce and promotions

Innovator Accelerator Program (IAP)

• Eligible Activities under the IAP:• Planning and development costs

• Business Planning• Market Research• Export development• Feasibility analysis• Productivity research

• Certifications• In-market licenses• Intellectual Property (IP) protection and• Research or market entry fees

Innovator Accelerator Program (IAP)

• Maximum Funding Amount• Up to $5,000.00 per company in assistance may be provided towards

approved costs under the eligible activities (preferably one activity per application).

• Contributory Requirements• Applicants will be required to pay an administrative fee in the amount of

15% of the total funds requested. Contribution must be received before any payments are paid to contractors

• Payments will be made directly to contractors upon completion of project.

Innovator Accelerator Program (IAP)

SSMIC services for any business

• Knowledge transfer workshops and seminars that have been done in the past:• Developing a Winning Business Model by Brian Silverman, September 2012• Trends in IT – Mobile Apps & HTML 5, January 2013• CleanTech Biofuels Workshop, February 2013• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Web Marketing, February 2013

• Resources:• Business plan templates• Links to funding agencies• Links to other great sites for business advice

• Opportunities for collaboration (Market Development Projects)

SSMIC services for any business

Company Example #1

• Individual developed two potentially patentable products that had commercial potential• Supported going through the process of incorporation• Provided access to expert patent lawyers in Ontario• Sought funding to support the patent search• Completed initial patent search, which recommended seeking a patent• Accessed 6 market intelligence reports valued at about $28k

• Frost and Sullivan, BCC Research, MarketResearch.com

Company Example #2

• Company developed unique product for treating invasive species in trees – effective twice as long with less impact on soil versus competitors

• Accessed 8 market intelligence reports valued at almost $27k• Prepared market summary and opportunities report, with specific recommendations for the

company• Identified public funds to support in R&D (matching $)• Connected to experts to solve a technical issue with their product in a cost effective way

For more information

Visit: www.ssmic.com Subscribe: Eye on Innovation Newsletter

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TWITTER http://www.twitter.com/ssmicnews

Contact Information

Gerry Bugyra

Business Development ManagerSault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre

Tel: 705-942-7927 ext. 3129Cell: 705-542-3497Fax: 705-942-6169

Email: gbugyra@ssmic.com