This keynote presentation was given at the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) International Conference in New Orleans, USA on December 1st, 2011. The presentation focused on the importance and methodology to engage your community business leaders, corporations, service providers, government, academic institutions, and regional assets to support and expedite the growth of early stage entrepreneurial ventures being served by an innovation centre.

1. Building Canada’s next generation of
growth companies
MaRS – A Unique Innovation Centre
Leveraging the Community to Expedite Job
and Wealth Creation
AURP International Conference, New Orleans
December 1st, 2011

2. There are three objectives that I hope to achieve in
today’s presentation:
1. Provide an overview of MaRS, our mandate, and
the programs and services we offer
2. Discuss the role of place and how our community
engagement strategy has enabled us to expedite
our mandate
3. Provide an opportunity to address any questions
you may have
2

3. MaRS is a non-profit innovation centre connecting science,
technology and social entrepreneurs with business skills,
networks and capital
MaRS helps to create successful global
Mission businesses from Canada s science and
technology
Who we Early stage science and technology ventures
Serve and innovative social purpose businesses
Measure of
Job and wealth creation for the economy
Success
3

4. Competing is one thing…
Winning
is another!

5. How do we
Compete?
At an average of only 3.3 people
per sq km, Canada has one of
the lowest population densities
in the world.

6. Our hub cities are
Isolated
Edmonton
Calgary
Vancouver Saskatoon
Québec City
Halifax
Ottawa
Winnipeg
Montréal
Waterloo
London Hamilton
Toronto 6

7. Big Country
but few people…
33
Million
People
VS.
300
Million
1.1
Billion
1.3
Billion
7

8. The importance of
History and
Place

9. 9

11. Discovery
Details in
Notes Part of
Slide

12. “…incubator, conference centre,
education institute, entrepreneurs !
clubhouse,
research centre,
entrepreneurial
services and
programs - all
under one roof…” !
pg
12

13. Universities Proof of
Principle Grants
Research
Hospitals Pre-Seed Funds
Individual Angels
Scientists
Philanthropists
Generating
Inventors
VCs
Purposeful Banks
Collisions
Individual Service Providers
Entrepreneurs
Government
Incubator
Companies Industry Associations
Regional Innovation
Small/Medium
Organizations
Sized Business
Large Sector-based
Corporations Organizations
13

14. Phase I"
Phase II"

15. Improving
Commercialization Building Next Generation
Output from Academe Startups
15

16. Business
Advice Education Access
and and Insight to Capital
Mentorship
Networks, Talent, Customers and Partners"
Programs for High Growth Ventures, Policy Initiatives, and Special Projects "
16

17. Our unique and evolving
advisory model
MaRS Advisory
Services
Full - Time Part - Time Volunteers Internship Corporate
A single, integrated pool of advisors
offering free consultative services to an
array of emerging ventures
17

18. 1. Give something back – educating,
advising, mentoring, and parenting young companies
is inspirational
2. Connect and network with other like-minded
people…helps drives the culture of entrepreneurship
3. Be inspired by innovation and
attempt to answer what s next?
18

19. Community volunteers
Service providers
Capital connections
Corporate and business
Academic and government
19

20. Peer to Peer
interactions
are designed
to share
insight and
inspire
20

21. Culture of
Entrepreneurship

22. Impact!
Real Estate Services ! Ecosystem Development!
Office & Laboratory Facilities | MaRS Incubator " Strategic Partnerships | Stakeholder Support"
MaRS Collaboration Centre l " IT/AV Services" Community Programs |" Awards & Recognition"
MaRS Centre Development " Talent & Knowledge Management "
Public Policy "
Business Services!
IP Development |" Market Intelligence |" Capital & Investment"
MaRS Advisory |" Entrepreneurship Education"
22

23. Don Duval
Vice President
MaRS Discovery District
dduval@marsdd.com
Twitter: don_duval