WORLDiscoveries at Western University in partnership with the Centre for Advanced Computing and Partnerships and Innovation at Queen’s University have launched a web platform, Innoventure, that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to match small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with potential partners from around the world based on the expertise and fields of interest of both parties.
Canadian SMEs can quickly and accurately become matched to an international partner to help their business grow through opportunities such as investment, licensing, or distribution arrangements by creating a profile for their business on the platform. Potential business partners can be matched with SMEs that meet their criteria for partnership. Both SMEs and partners are screened before being admitted to the platform to ensure quality matches are made.
The development of the platform was funded through an Incremental Project Grant at Western from the Government of Canada with the goal of promoting innovation and commercialization activities. The platform was imagined as an additional resource to promote Canadian SME partnerships with international partners to bolster the activities of WORLDiscoveries Asia, which serves as a gateway between Canada and Asia for international science collaboration and technology industrialization.
The development and launch of InnoVenture comes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. As traditional business development activities have been stymied by social distancing, business closures, and conference cancellations, InnoVenture allows for business development among Canadian SMEs and international partners to happen virtually.
Canadian SMEs and business partners are encouraged to register for free by going to www.InnoVenture.ai.
Quotes
“By combining our experience with the expertise from the Centre for Advanced Computing and the insights from the Partnerships and Innovation team at Queen’s, we were able to turn our vision into a reality. We are very excited to be able to offer this opportunity to our clients and look forward to a longstanding partnership with Queen’s.”
- Lisa Cechetto, Executive Director, WORLDiscoveries, University of Western Ontario
"The Centre for Advanced Computing is thrilled with this collaboration with The University of Western Ontario and Innoventure. The match-making AI engine we built into InnoVenture connects Canadian SMEs and investors in a user-friendly forum during a time when the Canadian economy needs it the most.”
- Chris MacPhee, Assistant Director of Operations, Centre for Advanced Computing, Queen’s University
Links
Centre for Advanced Computing (CAC)
Queen's Partnerships and Innovation (QPI)
Social
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Media Contacts
Jordan Flemming, Digital Marketing Manager, WORLDiscoveries
jordan.flemming@worldiscoveries.ca or 519-661-3863
Julie Brown, Media Relations Officer, Queens University
Julie.brown@queensu.ca