Industrial Research Assistance Program
(IRAP)
Supporting SME growth
through innovation and technology
Presentation to Forum Innovation
Bogdan Ciobanu, NRC-IRAP
IRAP
Business
Model
IRAP assists firms
to develop, adopt
and adapt
technologies and
incorporate them
into competitive
products and
services to be
commercialized in
the marketplace
Our Clients
IRAP worked
with 8,063 SMEs* in
2010-2011, of which
3,098 received some
form of funding
• 84% < less than
50 employees
• 65% < fewer than
20 employees
3037
1936
1201
954
377
352
188
BC
AB
SK
* Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – Firms with up to 500 employees
MB
ON
QC
NB
222
NS
74
PE
352
NL
IRAP Supports SMEs Innovate
ADVICE
Through its
advisory services,
IRAP can assess
technology
solutions, “derisk” projects,
validate
technology, offer
market, strategic
and competitive
intelligence, and
provide support
for developing IP
plans.
LINKAGES
Thanks to ITAs’
networking
expertise, IRAP can
help SMEs identify
opportunities, locate
needed experts, and
establish
connections with
potential partners
across the country.
IRAP is continuously
building its national
and international
networks.
FUNDING
IRAP can help
firms seek
venture capital
and other
funding
opportunities, or
offer funding on
a shared-cost
basis for the
labour
components of
R&D projects.
IRAP ITAs: Positioned to Make a Difference
IRAP Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs) are an SME’s portal to the ADVICE,
NETWORKING and FUNDING that can help them overcome challenges. ITAs are
trusted strategic advisors who establish lasting relationships with their clients.
There are more than 200 ITAs located in
more than 100 offices across Canada.
Among them:
•
All have extensive management experience
in SMEs
•
34% have been entrepreneurs
•
75% have post-graduate education
(master’s degree or PhD)
Global Collaborations
•
Direct support to SMEs with international
interests
•
Technology partnering, including technology
sourcing, transfer, and matching
•
Joint R&D projects and other technology
ventures
Recent Initiatives in Aerospace
•
Support to CRIAQ to promote
participation of SMEs in their projects
and expand their network across
Canada (TRL 1-5)
•
Support to the Canadian Composites
Manufacturing Research &
Development (CCMR&D) Consortium
involving SMEs and OEM across Canada
(TRL 4-6)
•
Unmanned Aerial Systems: support to
demonstration of Beyond Visual Range
flight in Canadian Airspace and IAR
strategy.
What is DTAPP?
•
Component of the Government of Canada’s Digital Economy Strategy
•
Delivered by NRC-IRAP and its team of Industrial Technology Advisors
•
Objective: Accelerate the adoption of digital technologies to increase the
productivity and competitiveness of SMEs across Canada and in all sectors
Timeline:
Started 14 November
2011
End in 2014
Industrial Research Assistance Program
(IRAP)
Thank you
9 | NRC-IRAP