Photo by Photo Submitted
READY FOR INNOVATION – Shown above is the Innovation & Entrepreneurship team. Left to right: Alessia Guthrie, Lauren Manekin Beille, Bronwen Duncan and Clement Richard. Missing is Caitlyn MacMaster.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship warming up to a new name
The name Cold Climate Innovation (CCI) has itself been banished to the cold.
The name Cold Climate Innovation (CCI) has itself been banished to the cold.
The facility at Yukon College is now known as Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E).
The centre “has broadened its supports for Yukon trailblazers,” Yukon College said in a statement Wednesday.
“... The change in name is linked to an expansion in both the services the team provides and the type of innovators they support.”
I&E will open its doors to the public by hosting two information sessions later this month.
They will take place from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 24 and from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at the NorthLight Innovation Hub (the former Super Valu/Food Fair building) on Second Avenue in Whitehorse.
It’s being branded as an opportunity to learn more about I&E services and pitch ideas to the team, whether they are fully developed or not.
The sessions will connect budding entrepreneurs to project innovation officers.
This fall, the I&E team is placing emphasis on innovative ideas underlined by a social purpose.
All Yukoners are invited to submit applications for business ideas that also achieve positive social, cultural, or environmental outcomes.
“From seasoned business owners to new entrepreneurs who have a market ready idea, we aim to support Yukoners who want to take their innovations further,” said Lauren Manekin Beille, I&E’s manager.
“Whether you have an idea that feels like a distant dream, or a concept that’s further along in the development process, we want to chat with you.”
Whereas CCI focused on supporting research, development and troubleshooting unique problems faced in the Yukon’s cold climate, I&E works with innovators and entrepreneurs, to take their ideas from concept to market.
I&E also has a strong focus on supporting women and First Nations entrepreneurs.
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Comments (5)
Up 9 Down 0
I’m a believer, said Narcissus admiringly. on Oct 20, 2019 at 9:08 pm
Hello John - The idea that judgments would be made without scoring sheets is not really unbelievable by Yukon standards.
The people who make decisions in the Yukon do so without regard to methodology or knowledge. They tend to believe in the mysticism of their own experience and beliefs.
Up 6 Down 0
John on Oct 19, 2019 at 2:07 pm
Personally every time I’ve Pitched ideas to CCI I had the hardest time getting feedback from them. Apparently the innovation prize every years is scored without any scoring sheets, unbelievable . Every year 100k from government money is given away without any conditions by CCI. Recipients of these prizes have no commitments whatsoever to use the prize money towards the development and accomplishment of their project.
My suggestion is to use that energy to remodel CCI policies and interest instead of expanding to a new service. If you wish to breed a cow, make sure the cow is healthy first.
Up 10 Down 3
JC on Oct 17, 2019 at 6:19 pm
Another tax payers supported NGO program. Another JT handout. Here's how it works. New entrepreneurs: Hi, I'm thinking of opening up a business. Inovation Entrepreneurship: Hi, nice to meet you. I totally support your effort.
Great idea and good luck with your new venture. Bye now. Canada definitely needs more of those programs. And if JT's party gets elected again, you can be sure there will be.
Up 5 Down 2
Groucho d'North on Oct 17, 2019 at 5:29 pm
I guess its hard to keep the global warming issue legitimate when Cold Climate is in the name of the organization huh?
All the best to the staff of this reborn group and I hope you do good things while on the job.
Up 35 Down 4
Jim on Oct 17, 2019 at 5:02 pm
How on earth does a college program that deals with cold climate issues, now believe they are the guys to go to for entrepreneurs to lean on to get their ideas to market? Did they just find a new government source of cash to mine? I think this new Inovation Center will prove just to be a new way to eat up government money without the need to show results. It all started out as a great place for people to use tools and a facility to build things which were normally out of their reach. Now all of a sudden we have a multi million dollar investment with a group that may just prove to be in over their heads.