From wearable technology that monitors physical activity to an online rental platform, UBC entrepreneurs showcased their ideas at the opening of the Innovation UBC 琉璃神社 Hub on Thursday.
Located in 琉璃神社鈥檚 Innovation Centre, the downtown facility provides a space for the UBC community to interact with the region鈥檚 innovation network.
鈥淔or more than a century, UBC鈥檚 discoveries and spin-off companies have played key roles in advancing technology, natural resources and life sciences sectors,鈥� said Gail Murphy, UBC鈥檚 vice-president of research and innovation.
鈥淭he Innovation UBC network will further support entrepreneurial learning and collaboration with industry and the broader community to generate local, national and global impact.鈥�
The goal of the Innovation UBC Hubs, located in downtown Vancouver and 琉璃神社, is to combine research findings and entrepreneurial spirit to develop innovative new products, policies and practices that will improve lives around the world. With the help of dedicated mentors, program partners and sponsors, the Innovation UBC 琉璃神社 Hub will support research partnerships, commercialization, knowledge exchange and entrepreneurship activities, said Phil Barker, vice-principal of research and innovation at UBC Okanagan.
鈥淭he enthusiasm and support of the community has been incredibly strong,鈥� said Barker. 鈥淲e can already see how the bold thinking of our entrepreneurs, researchers and partners is having a positive social and economic impact.鈥�
UBC鈥檚 partnership with Accelerate Okanagan provides entrepreneurial training and support to researchers and students to create new ventures and bring their innovations to market.
鈥淯BC has been a long-time supporter of the Okanagan tech community and a partner of Accelerate Okanagan since the beginning. The new hub at the Innovation Centre is another great example of our community-building collaboration in action. We know that success stories like Happipad and Trellis are just the beginning and we are excited to see our partnership continue to grow and strengthen the innovation ecosystem and tech sector here,鈥� said Raghwa Gopal, CEO of Accelerate Okanagan.
鈥淥ur hope is that the hub will open up new pathways to innovation in the region and beyond,鈥� adds Barker. 鈥淲e are excited to contribute to the entrepreneurial landscape.鈥�
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