Ontario Marks Grand Opening of Innovation Space in Markham

IBM Innovation Space in Markham
Photo: IBM Innovation Space

New Space Will Help Businesses Take New Technology to Global Markets

Ontario has partnered with IBM Canada, Ontario Centres of Excellence and ventureLAB to open the IBM Innovation Space-Markham Convergence Centre that will provide businesses access to the technology and expertise they need to grow and compete in the global marketplace.

Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science attended the grand opening today with Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Growth and Michael Chan, MPP for Markham-Unionville.

This centre is part of the IBM Innovation Incubator (I3) Project, which will help small and medium-sized enterprises fast-track the launch of new technologies and products to international clients by leveraging IBM’s technical resources. This includes cognitive business technology and a cloud-based development platform, as well as its physical space and network of customers. The I3 project is expected to create up to 2,600 jobs by 2020.

Fostering innovation and growth is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

Quick Facts

  • Ontario invested $22.75 million through the Jobs and Prosperity Fund for the IBM Innovation Incubator Project, supporting an additional investment of $24.75 million from IBM, for a total project value of $410 million.
  • Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) will oversee the operations of the IBM Innovation Incubator Project and coordinate industry partnerships. OCE is a provincial coordinator and member of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs that works with industry, academia and government to stimulate business-led innovation.
  • Studio1Labs is a start-up already using IBM Watson’s artificial intelligence capabilities at the IBM Innovation Space-Markham Convergence Centre. The company is developing bed sheets that ultimately will help to save babies’ lives using fabric sensors that can detect when a child’s breathing changes.
  • The IBM Innovation Incubator Project includes co-located innovation spaces across Ontario, such as locations at the DMZ and MaRS in Toronto.

2 Comments

  1. Without innovation and research new frontiers will not be broken. Industry needs this research support … commonly called R & D. Doing the same things more efficiently is the smart way to go. Savings can be passed on to the consumer. Higher sales volumes can secure long term viability and henance shareholder profit. A win win for all …

  2. Without innovation and research new frontiers will not be broken. Industry needs this research support … commonly called R & D. Doing the same things more efficiently is the smart way to go. Savings can be passed on to the consumer. Higher sales volumes can secure long term viability and enhance shareholder profitability. A win win for all …

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