Reflections on 20 Years of Innovation by Judy Sander
Twenty years ago this fall, the Northwestern Ontario Technology Centre was launched. Although I was not present at the official launch, I was hired the following spring. Twenty years seems like a good time to reflect on the past and look to the future. The organization has changed and evolved over the past two decades. The one constant has been a commitment to supporting innovative companies and entrepreneurs, and providing an environment that enhances success. This has required the Innovation Centre to always try new approaches and programs, to take risks and to learn from success and failure.
The organization was founded on a vision of incubating information technology companies in a beautiful building at 1294 Balmoral Street, Thunder Bay A few community partners were co-located in the building. They included: Thunder Bay Ventures, the Self-Employment Benefits program and IRAP. The Lakehead University Paleo-DNA Lab occupied part of the top floor.
Twenty years ago also marked the beginning of the dot com bust. This had a significant impact on the potential clients for the incubation space. However, with several clients occupying the space, programming was launched, events were held and business support was provided. A community developed in the space and we witnessed the power of an incubation environment.
During the early years, the organization also hit other significant challenges, the building was impressive but the design did not suit the need for flexible space that could accommodate a variety of early stage companies with rapidly changing requirements. With 40% common area space the business model of supporting programming and building expenses with rental income did not work. Especially when the building was assessed for municipal taxes.
The Board of Directors decided that the organization need a new strategy. This involved transferring the building to Lakehead University and moving away from a real estate model to focus on supporting innovative start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses in Northwestern Ontario. In October of 2006, the organization’s name was changed to the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre. The goal was to reflect that the type of business opportunities supported include innovative companies in the broadest sense. Under the new model, programming and partnerships continued to expand.
In 2012, we became a member of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs. We were one of 16 Regional Innovation Centres across the province. This provided access to new supports and the network of other innovation centres. At the same time, we were finding the space we had at 1294 Balmoral did not easily accommodate our expanding programming needs. This was the year that the Thunder Bay Centre of Change was developing in the former Hillcrest High School. Many of our clients were locating in this facility and it would also accommodate our MI-zone (advanced manufacturing initiative). So in 2012 we moved to the Centre of Change. It was a big change and the building had its challenges. We dealt with a lack of reliable heat, security issues, and other disruptions.
The opportunity to locate both our offices and the MI-zone facility on Confederation College campus presented itself because of then President Jim Madder’s shared vision of encouraging and supporting innovation in NWO. So we packed up again and moved to the Greenstone building at Confederation College. The College space accommodated the staff and a few early-stage companies, including a cohort of our Costarter Accelerator program. We were also co-located again with the IRAP office.
In 2017 the College began construction of the TEC Hub that would connect directly to our building. We were excited about this new facility and decided that it would be a perfect time to upgrade our space. This construction resulted in yet another move. In November of 2017 we packed up most of our stuff and moved to the Whalen building in the downtown North Core. In August of 2018 we moved back to our renovated space. The space was developed to focus on collaboration. It offers dedicated desk and hot desk space to clients as well as meeting rooms, boardroom/training lab space and a great spot for networking and events. We love our new space!
The Innovation Centre has always been a regional organization tasked with serving the vast geography of Northwestern Ontario (a region roughly the size of France). Serving clients in the region has required significant travel and the use of technology. In the past few years we have seen increased client activity in the Kenora area. So in 2019 we opened an office in Kenora and hired two staff to deliver programming and assist entrepreneurs in the western part of our region.
Over the years the Innovation Centre has been supported by many committed Board Members, community partners (Lakehead University, Confederation College, Thunder Bay Ventures), funders (FedNor, the Ontario government, NOHFC, IRAP, CEDC), volunteer advisors, investors, and a dedicated and talented staff. It has truly been a team effort to get the organization to this point. And the future is bright.
I believe the future is bright because over the past 20 years there has been a change of attitude among the stakeholders in economic development. The players have recognized the need to work together, share strategies/resources and to eliminate silos. Our region has also built confidence that we are innovative and can grow world class companies. We still have work to do to instill that confidence and seek markets outside our region but the examples and support exist. The private sector’s role in building a diversified and innovative economy is critical. We are seeing greater private sector leadership as well as a willingness to share information and support each other. The Innovation Centre now has experienced alumni that are willing to give back and support the growth of our innovation ecosystem.
Without a doubt there will be changes and challenges ahead but in reflecting back on the past 20 years it is clear that the Innovation Centre will continue to; adapt, try new approaches, welcome new partnerships and focus on filling the gaps to support client companies and community and build regional success. Innovation will continue to thrive and grow in Northwestern Ontario.