Alberta Innovates Commercialization Associates

Program Update

Please note there have been a number of changes to Commercialization Associates forms and guidelines; changes are stated below. All forms and guidelines for this program can be found on the Industry Funding Forms & Guidelines page.

The following changes have been made to the Program Guide and Handbook in the following areas:

Eligibility – Company
New Bullets:

  • Be provincially or federally registered as a corporation, partnership or sole-proprietorship, with the legal status to operate in Alberta and having a physical presence in Alberta
  • Does not have an outstanding balance due with Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures
  • If approved for a grant, is prepared to hire the associate as a full-time, T4-Salaried employee, with all appropriate payroll deductions.
     

Eligibility – Candidates
New bullets:

  • Is prepared to live in the Province of Alberta and become a full-time, T4-salaried employee of the sponsoring company, with all appropriate payroll deductions.
     

Term of Grant
The grant is for a maximum of two years.

Grant Renewal
Year 2 funding is contingent on satisfactory performance during the first year and upon proof of continued need for a Commercialization Associate, as outlined in the Year-end report required at the end of the first year.

Grant Details – Stipend and Commercialization/r&D Allowance
The below text has been added to second paragraph:
"…… to a maximum top-up cash amount of $110,000 per annum. The company is expected to hire the employee as a full-time T4-salaried employee and to pay for additional employment costs, payroll deductions, and any benefits normally provided to employees performing a similar work function".

Acknowledging Support
All publications, presentations and public messages arising from Alberta Innovates Industry Associate funding must acknowledge the support of Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures. Please use the full corporate name, Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures, rather than an acronym.

LOGO
Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures’ logo is a proprietary symbol. Without exception, prior written approval from the Communications department is required before the logo may be used. Subsequently, and thereafter, if any changes are made, a copy of the material on which the logo is to be used must be provided to the Communications department to ensure the symbol is being used correctly, (e.g. placement, size, screens, colour, etc.).

Anyone with permission to use the logo in an electronic form must ensure that there is a link to albertatechfutures.ca from the logo.

Instructions on accessing the logo can be found via the Visual Identity page. 
 

The following changes have been made to Commercialization Associates Application requirements:

  • Copy of application on memory stick or CD is no longer required
  • Part 1: Section 1.6. - Copy of Certificate and Articles of Incorporation are no longer required
  • Part 1: Section 1.6. - 200 character definition of the company’s core business is required
  • Part 2: – APPLICATION – To be completed as a two-year project plan. Year 2 funding is contingent on satisfactory performance during the first year and upon proof of continued need for an Associate, as outlined in the Year-end report required at the end of the first year.
  • Part 3: Financials – All financials should include the eligible 2-year term of the grant

 
The following change has been made to the Grant Renewal Request Form
At the end of the document, the following text has been added:
**A current paystub for the Associate must be submitted with this Form in order to be considered.**
 

Program Overview

Commercialization Associates is a competitive funding program that addresses the growing need for highly trained business and management personnel in Alberta high-tech industries. Through this program component, Alberta companies recruit business professionals with experience to lead to stronger technology commercialization for the benefit of the company and Alberta’s economy.

Commercialization Associates consists of an annual stipend of $70,000 (minimum): with contributions of $55,000 from Tech Futures and a minimum $15,000 cash contribution from the company, and an annual commercialization allowance of $7,000 for Tech Futures to cover qualified costs for travel and marketing intelligence. The funding term is up to a maximum of two years with Year 2 funding being contingent on satisfactory performance during the first year and upon proof of continued need.

Four competitions are held each year. The deadlines are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. (Please note that when the competition deadline falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the deadline shifts to the first working day following the holiday.) Results are announced six to eight weeks after the application deadline.
 

Program Objectives

The primary objective of Commercialization Associates is to increase business management and marketing expertise in Alberta-based start-up and Small/Medium Enterprise (SME) companies by enabling these companies to recruit skilled business professionals. At the same time, business professionals with industrial and/or science experience contribute to the technology commercialization of science and engineering related products or services of the company.
 

For more details on application guidelines and evaluation criteria, or to download forms for this program, please visit Industry Funding Forms & Guidelines.

2010 Alberta Innovates Commercialization Associates
 


For general inquiries, please contact:

Nancy Davidson
Senior Program Associate
Tel: 780-450-5551
nancy.davidson [at] albertainnovates.ca

Stacey Ohlmann
Director, Industry Development
Tel: 780-450-5505
stacey.ohlmann [at] albertainnovates.ca