Oshawa, ON – Support is building as the second phase in the establishment of the Durham Region Innovation Hub begins. Led by the Idea Summit group, the concept development for the hub began over two years ago. Since then the group has actively engaged community members through two summit events, two collision events and a community strategy session held in April of this year.

In March 2018, the group hired Stiletto, a consulting firm specializing in research and technology parks and innovation hubs, to undertake a feasibility and assessment exercise for the proposed Innovation Hub. This included a detailed review of exemplary jurisdictions and models for innovation hubs, a detailed assessment of potential location and criteria, structure and expansion of the hub model, financial modelling and industry asset opportunity and gap analyses.

With the continued support of Stiletto, the Idea Summit group is pleased to proceed to the next phase of the concept development, where the focus will be to onboard new partners, confirm market demand, position the concept for prospective industry partners, confirm potential funding sources and secure support from and assign roles and responsibilities to each of the eight municipalities in the region.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the region to truly advance a broader innovation and economic development agenda,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College and chair of the Idea Summit group. “Durham College is proud to lead and support this initiative as one of the founding members of the Idea Summit group. All of its members firmly believe the Innovation Hub can be a catalyst for growth of the innovation and entrepreneurship community, bringing greater awareness to industry to consider expanding, building and growing their businesses right here in the Durham Region”.

The concept development phase kicks off this week and those interested in learning more are invited to connect with us. A LinkedIn page will be set up for those interested in moving and accelerating this agenda.

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Media contacts:

Laura O’Blenis
President and CEO, Stiletto Consulting
laura@thinkstiletto.com
506.471.9438
www.thinkstiletto.com

Sherry Colbourne
President and CEO, Spark Centre
scolbourne@sparkcentre.org
905.432-3999, ext. 128
www.sparkcentre.org

Idea Summit Members:

Lead by Durham College and Spark Centre, Idea Summit members include some of the Region’s largest employers and the Regional Municipality of Durham:

• 360Insights
• Aecom
• Durham College
• General Motors Canada
• Lakeridge Health
• Ontario Chamber of Commerce
• Ontario Power Generation
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology