‘Practical and impactful solutions for business partners’

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Mitacs is Canadas leading innovation organization, connecting businesses and researchers across the country and around the world. With a 25-year legacy in the innovation ecosystem, it provides the resources needed to drive competitiveness and productivity in cutting-edge fieldsand its making a big impact in Nova Scotia.

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For more than two decades,Mitacs has supported companies big and small in Novia Scotias growing sectors, including cleantech, agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, health, advanced manufacturing and, more recently, artificial intelligence.

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By building strategic partnerships between academic institutions and industry partners, Mitacs enables the development and commercialization of novel technologies and solutions that help create jobs and drive economic productivity.

Research from Statistics Canada shows that, in Atlantic Canada, companies that worked with Mitacs saw their total employment increase by 6.5%, labour productivity rise by 8.6%, and total sales grow by 14.1%, compared to those that did not.

According to Anne Spence, Mitacss Regional Director for Atlantic Canada, the organizations strategic investment in sectors like advanced manufacturing sector has helped SMEs with tech adoptionparticularly the integration of robotics and IoT.

“Nova Scotia is brimming with entrepreneurial talent and tremendous growth opportunities,” she explained. “We take great pride in working directly with local businesses and communities to turn ambitious ideas into real-world impact.”

For Spence, Mitacss value lies not only in transferring scientific knowledge from academia to business, but also in its ability to adapt research to meet specific industry and community needs.

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“When it comes to supporting and scaling businesses in niche industries, context matters. That’s why we have an advisory team in Nova Scotia to better understand the unique challenges faced by local organizations – so we can thoughtfully tailor projects to address industry challenges.”

In addition, Nova Scotia has the advantage of having 11 post-secondary institutions. This makes it easier to attract and deploy highly qualified research talent in key sectors.

Universities in Nova Scotia have a strong entrepreneurial focus. Weve supported many student-led start-up ventures and created mentorship opportunities for budding entrepreneurs, so they can learn directly from incubators to grow their companiesall while advancing their own research, said Spence.

Through Mitacs, start-upscan access financial support for R&D initiatives and bring new medical technologies to the market.

One such example is the organizations collaboration with med-tech start-up Hollo Medical, known for its award-winning work on the Bre-Z Chambera unique pocket-size asthma inhaler that enables portability and optimal drug deposition at a fraction of the size of a conventional device.

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Another inspiring story comes from Mitacss partnership with Nova Scotia Health, which has led to the development of a research program for the adoption of robotic-assisted knee surgery. The program aims to enhance tools and protocols for surgical planning and customize clinical care for individual needs.

Spence estimates that more than 110 Nova Scotian companies and start-ups accessed financial support through Mitacs during the 2023-24 fiscal year.Mitacs is enabling these businesses to recruit specialized talent they need to harness the power and potential of innovationto create new or improved products, maximize operational efficiency, reach new markets, and increase economic prosperity.

Take, for instance, its focus on agritech. The innovation organization has partnered with numerous companies to develop precision technologies that advance sustainable farming methods.

One such example would be a partnership between Bragg Enterprises and Dr. Qamar Zaman, head of the Precision Agriculture team at Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture. The collaborative project, sponsored by Mitacs, has resulted in the development of a novel automated system for wild blueberry harvesting, which improves the yield and quality of berries.

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Similarly, in the cleantech space, a project with Halifax-based start-up GIT Coatings has led to the emergence of an environmentally friendly paint that creates a sustainable marine coating to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases and underwater noise emitted per shipping.

These are just a few of the game-changing innovations stemming from Mitacs projects.

Through these efforts, the innovation organization is in turn helping create high-quality jobs, enhancing productivity, and strengthening the local economy, ultimately contributing to a more prosperous and sustainable future for Nova Scotia.

Learn more about Mitacs at www.mitacs.ca

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