Government of Canada Launches $40 Million Program
Published on October 14, 2010
October 14, 2010, Medicine Hat Alberta...The Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP) is a new initiative aimed at assisting leading- edge products and services in four priority areas: environment, safety and security, health, and enabling technologies. This $40 million program, announced under Budget 2010, was launched on September 24, 2010, by the Government of Canada. A means to help businesses test their innovation and services within the Government of Canada, prior to release in the marketplace, the initiative provides financial assistance and business support for Canadian companies to grow and expand.
“This is a great opportunity for businesses in southeast Alberta; this is a program that enables companies to get their business concept in front of Government for purchase, prior to entry into the marketplace,” said Tracy Heebner, rural business enhancement officer for the Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta. “The opportunity to have feedback provided on the performance of their innovation before entering the global economy is invaluable for local companies; it’s a way to increase their chances of success upon launch.”
The EDA encourages companies with new technologies to utilize this initiative as well the free seminars, offered by the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME)- information sessions focused on explaining the federal purchasing process and how to sell products and services to the Government of Canada, increasing the level of success for businesses in Canada.
“Local business support is also available through the EDA as well as Palliser Economic Partnership (PEP). PEP is an organization that has helped companies become familiar with the government procurement process and the system used for transactions called MERX,” said Heebner. “Currently the Call for Proposals, in regards to CICP, can be found on MERX- a prospecting tool used to assist in identifying new opportunities listed by all levels of government. A lot of companies are unfortunately unaware of this option.”
For more information on the CICP or the business assistance available to you visit www.buyandsell.gc.ca/innovation or visit www.edalliance.ca.