From cutting-edge bio scientists to digital media game changers, Niagara excels at supporting technical talent and enterprise in a way that propels businesses from surviving to thriving on the global stage.
Niagara has a proud history of innovation and strong networks between industry, academia and government that are committed to keep that legacy alive via our region’s incubators, innovation centres and research institutes.
Research
In a 2016 study of business competitiveness in 115 North American business centres, Niagara Canada ranked 18th in research and development. At centres like Brock University, Niagara College and the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, the research conducted is strongly linked to industry. Brock, for example, is home to thirteen of Canada’s esteemed Canada Research Chairs and the university conducts paradigm-shifting research on a diverse range of topics, including plant biotechnology, green chemistry and bioinformatics.
The following institutions in Niagara are strongly linked to industry, and Niagara businesses are able to directly benefit from their research capabilities through different programs and commercialization streams
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
Brock University
- Brock-Niagara Validation, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute
- Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute
- Centre for Sport Capacity
- Centre for Business Analytics
- Environmental Sustainability Research Centre
Niagara College
- Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre
- Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre
- Food & Beverage Innovation Centre
- Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI)
- Business & Commercialization Innovation Centre
- Greenhouse Technology Network
McMaster University
Innovation
There is a growing infrastructure in niagara to support startups and private sector innovation. The wide range of incubation hubs, business accelerators and support resources available include:
Incubators, Accelerators, and Entrepreneurship Hubs
- Innovate Niagara
- Spark Niagara
- Accel North
- Educational Research & Innovation Hub (iHub)
- Brock LINC
- ncTakeOff
Business Support Centres