Innovation Initiatives Ontario North

January 20th, 2010 - Cinevate Inc. Wins First Pan-Northern Innovation Challenge

Mon, Jan 25 2010 09:01:00 EST

The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre in conjunction with Innovation Initiatives Ontario North is proud to announce that local film & television industry company, Cinevate Inc., has been selected as the winner of the first IION Pan Northern Innovation Challenge Award. An award presentation ceremony has been scheduled for Monday, January 25th, 2010. The event will take place at Cinevate’s Studio located in Thunder Bay at 106 Cumberland Street North (at Villa St.), Unit 208. (Parking is accessed off Villa Street behind the building.) The award presentation ceremony will begin at 10:30 am. Accompanying the award presentation, Cinevate will be demonstrating some of the innovative technologies that they market which are the reasons for their receiving this honour. Their latest and greatest includes 3-D videos! Sincere congratulations should be extended to Stick it to the Man Technologies (SITTM) and Algoma Steel in Sault Saint Marie, Mirarco in Sudbury and JustParts.com in Thunder Bay for qualifying for the final evaluations.

October 22nd, 23rd - Harnessing Biomass

Thu, Oct 22 2009 09:01:00 EST

A comprehensive two day international conference took place at Nipissing University on October 22nd and 23rd entitled, “Harnessing Biomass: From the Forest to the Marketplace”. IION provided financial support as the lead sponsor to this event and co-hosted the event with the newly formed Biomass Innovation Center at Nipissing University. Hundreds of representatives from the United States, Europe and from across Canada converged on North Bay to help lay the groundwork for what has the potential to be a multi-million dollar Northern Ontario economic development opportunity. For more information on this conference please visit the biomass innovation center’s website located at, http://www.biomassinnovation.ca.

September 18th - NORCAT - New Facility Grand Opening

Mon, Sep 21 2009 09:01:00 EST

IION would like to take this opportunity to congratulate NORCAT on the grand opening of their new 60,000 square foot location on Maley Dr. in Sudbury. A very impressive opening ceremony was held prior to the IION board meeting on September the 18th. Over 100 guests were addressed by Sudbury Mayor, John Rodriguez, Sudbury MPP, Rick Bartolucci and a host of other prominent figures from the twenty five year history of NORCAT. IION would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to Darryl Lake, Michael Atkins, Norm Lavallee and the entire NORCAT team. Here’s to the next twenty five years of job creation in the North.

September 18th - Board of Directors Changes

Mon, Sep 21 2009 09:00:00 EST

At IION’s September 18th board meeting a few changes were made to the make-up of our Board of Directors. Bruce Strapp’s and Dr. Peter Ricketts terms came to completion and IION would like to thank Bruce and Peter for thier years of service to the organization. Barb Eccles has moved into the role of Past President and Tom Vair has now been elected to the position of President IION also welcomed a new board member in Dr. Craig Cooper as a direct replacement for Peter Ricketts. Dr. Cooper was also elected to the position of Vice-president.

June 8th, Sudbury Cancer Drug Discovery

Mon, Jun 8 2009 09:00:00 EST

Over the weekend of June 4th and 5th the second annual Cancer Drug Discover Symposium was held in Sudbury Ontario. The conference was organized by Dr. Hoyun Lee, a cancer researcher based out of Sudbury’s Northern Ontario Cancer Therapeutics Research Initiative (CTRI). Other prominent speakers included Dr. Amanda Hey, Dr. Edmund Lui, and Dr. J.T. Arnason. The conference focused on the bio-prospecting potential presented by the wealth of plant life in Northern Ontario. IION provided financial support as well as the expertise of Rob Deline on various panels throughout the weekend.

May 25th, Mushrooms North Conference

Mon, May 25 2009 09:00:00 EST

Over the weekend of May 22-24 a varied field of fungal experts from across Northern Ontario converged on the Loraine Club in Britt for, “Mushrooms North”. This two and a half day event examined the potential for commercialization of edible mushrooms as well as the potential for bio-prospecting of medically beneficial substance from other types of fungal organisms. iiON provided the funding for this conference and our Executive Director, Robert Deline lent his expert knowledge in the medical field specifically in the areas of commercialization of natural products. Other attendees included; Dr. Jack Hay, Dr. Warren Chin, Dr. Hoyun Lee, Bryn Dentinger, Jean Marc Moncalvo, and Mark Kean, an iiON board member.

April 29th, iiON strategy meeting held at NORCAT in Sudbury

Thu, Apr 30 2009 09:00:00 EST

The IION commercialization team, as well as representative from the tech centres and our various funding agencies convened on the newly constructed NORCAT building in Sudbury for a full day strategic planning session. Presentations were done by all of our sector specialists to supplement the day’s brain storming and short term goal creation agendas. This was the first time that the IION team had been completely assembled in person all together. The day was an excellent opportunity to chart the key focus areas for our organization over the course of the next year.

April 15th, iiON develops and executes marketing plan for value added forest products company.

Wed, Apr 15 2009 09:00:00 EST

Smith's Forest Products is a new value added-forestry company based out of North Bay, Ontario. Thier primary focus at this time is wholesale firewood and kindling. The product has been certified pest and disease-free for distribution by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the company follows a strict sustainability policy. As part of thier start up efforts they have contracted the services of Ryan Briggs through iiON to develop and execute a marketing plan to drive sales as they prepare for the busy summer camping season. Please visit thier website at http://www.smithforest.com to find out more.

March 30th, Fourth Renewable Energy workshop a success in North Bay.

Mon, Mar 30 2009 09:00:00 EST

This past saturday a group of 45 passionate leaders in the North Bay and area attended our fourth renewable energy workshop. Attendees came from as far as New Liskeard and Bracebridge to take in the education packed workshop series. Special thanks go to Dr. David DeYoe and Mr. Peter Gagnon of ULERN as well as Roberto Garcia of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association for their highly informative presentations throughout the day.

A very special thanks also goes out to our local Renewable Energy tradeshow exhibitors;

Robert & Patty Depatie of Enviroheat - experts in the field of residential wood pellet heating appliances.
Albert Attema of Strawinsol - A long time proponent & consultant of self sustaining off the grid living.
Rick Guthrie of Temiskaming Power - 20 years of experience in wind and solar energy installation and service.
Johnny Miller of CanSPEC inspection service - our local Home Energy Auditor
Kristopher Ledoux of Go Off the Grid - a New North Bay company specializing in wind, solar, geothermal power/heat options and biofuel conversion and production systems.

Lastly thanks goes out to all those who attended and made the event such a success.

March 28th, Renewable Energy Workshop & Tradeshow in North Bay

Thu, Mar 19 2009 09:00:00 EST

On March the 28th 2009, IION will be hosting the fourth in its series of renewable energy workshops. This event will be held in North Bay, Ontario in the Nipissing University Theatre. This will be an excellent opportunity for interested community members to investigate emerging grass roots opportunities in various renewable energy technologies. For more information visit our REW section of the website by clicking here.

IION crew attends Wood Pelletizing forum in North Bay

Thu, Mar 5 2009 09:00:00 EST

A full day strategic workshop and panel discussion was held at the Best Western in North Bay yesterday. Two of IION's sector specialists, Bill Ivey & John Vary made the trip from Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury, respectively. Ryan Briggs & Robert Deline were in attendance to represent the home town contingent. David DeYoe, Executive Director of ULERN in Sault Ste. Marie and a strategic partner for IION in delivering renewable energy workshops was also in attendance. The forum illustrated the vast array of opportunities that the Green Energy Act is about to open up in the rapidly evolving field of Bio-energy, specifically with wood pellets. On top of the extremely beneficial education, discussion and regional strategy formulation that was a result of the forum, this event also provided IION with a fantastic opportunity to promote the next edition of our Renewable Energy Workshop series. This event will be held on March 28th at Nipissing University. For more information on this event, click here.

IION adds Human Resource in Thunder Bay

Mon, Feb 23 2009 09:00:00 EST

IION, along with the North Western Ontario Innovation Center is proud to announce the addition of Ken McLellan to the IION pan northern commercialization team. Dr. McLellan, a PhD in Chemistry bring not only his academic expertise but a career's worth of industry experience. With the addition of Dr. McLellan the IION commercialization team is now complete with representation across Northern Ontario.

IION and partners deliver Renewable Energy Workshop in Hearst

Sat, Feb 21 2009 09:00:00 EST

As part of our continuing efforts to bring renewable energy education to the people of Northern Ontario, another full day renewable energy workshop was held today in Hearst Ontario. Once again, under the direction of David DeYoe of ULERN and with help from our other partner organizations an efficient day of idea exchange was enacted. Tenatively the next stop on the REW tour will be in North Bay on March the 27th. Click here to find out more about these Renewable Energy Workshops.

February 10th - 12th, Outstanding AgriFood Conference in Toronto

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:00:00 EST

Robert Deline, Executive Director and Health Sector Specialist attended a 3 day event in Toronto this week to discuss the future of nutrition as part of a full cricle health care strategy. Rob has attended many conferences and events regaurding nutraceuticals and functional foods, however, he described this event as the best conference he attended in the last decade.

IION in Thunder Bay this week.

Wed, 4 Feb 2009 09:00:00 EST

Robert Deline, executive director made the trek west this week to continue IION's participation in the Places to Grow" Northern Economic Development plan. "Think North" was a two day event hosted by he Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. This conference was attended by over 350 people in attendance from various government agencies, not for profit organizations, educational institutions and members of the private sector.

IION attends Agricultural sector Technical Table

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST

Continuing our support of the evolution of “Places to Grow”, the joint initiative between MNDM and MEI, Ryan Briggs, IION Marketing and Communications officer attended today’s agriculture sector technical table to provide insight on cross-sector synergy development. Specifically IION attempted to highlight the potential intermingling of agriculture, forestry, bioenergy and mining.

IION adds Human Resources in Sudbury

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST

In our continuing efforts to diversify our organizations geographic as well as industrial sector representation, IION is proud to announce the addition of Martin Litchfield, an expert in forestry and value-added forestry manufacturing, and John Vary, an expert in the mining sector, as part of the IION commercialization team. As part of our strategic partnership with the various Northern Ontario technology centres, these two commercialization specialists will be based out of the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology (NORCAT). To contact John or Martin visit our Staff Directory.

IION's Bill Ivey reveals $56 million Chapleau Bioenergy Project

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST

Innovation Initiatives Ontario North Bio-products Commercialization Specialist Bill Ivey was in Chapleau today to help announce a new bio-energy initiative in Chapleau Ontario. This new bioenergy project will inject $56 million into the local economy which has been hit hard by the recent downturn in Northern Ontario's resource based industries. This initiative will create 34 permanent jobs, 60 initial construction jobs and as many as 100 spinoffs jobs as well.

To view the full press release, click here.

For more information, read this article from the Timmins Daily Press, by clicking clicking here.

. You can also view a video on the announcement by clicking here.

Robert Deline Attends ONEDC meeting

Tue, 2 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST

Robert Deline, IION's executive director and health specialist attended the Ontario's North Economic Development Corporation meeting in Toronto. Rob gave an in depth presentation updating the various stakeholder's in attendance as to the progress that IION has made over the last few months. To review this presentation please visit our powerpoint archive by clicking here.

IION attends "Places to Grow" Alternative Energy Technical Table

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

Another in a series of Technical Tables for MDNM and MEI's Northern Ontario growth plan, "Places to Grow." took place today. Bill Ivey, IION Bio-products Commercialization Specialist attended on behalf of IION. Some significant discussions took place regarding "twin alternative energy generation", the concept of using wind and bio-energy or wind and hydro-electric power generation in tandem to offset the stresses on both systems. The consultation of First Nations groups was also a critical element of this meeting.

IION and partners deliver Renewable Energy Workshop in Echo Bay

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

"The strategic partnership between ULERN, IION, OSEA, SSMIC, Brookfield, NOHFC and Tuloch Consulting has continued to bear fruit. Under the direction of Mr. David DeYoe of ULERN another successful renewable energy workshop took place in the town of Echo Bay. For more information on this strategic partnership and the Renewable Energy Workshops; click here.

IION and partners deliver Renewable Energy Workshop in Wawa

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

IION and many other strategic partners have helped bring bio-economic education to Northern Ontario's rural communities. ULERN from Sault Ste. Marie is leading this project and plans to continue delivering these one day workshops across the North, continuing with a workshop in Echo Bay in one week. Click here to find out more about these Renewable Energy Workshops.

IION holds in person board meeting at NORCAT in Sudbury

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

The Innovation Initiatives Ontario North Board of Directors met in Sudbury today. The highlight of the meeting was the introduction of Bill Ivey to the board and his presentation on "Forging the links in the Chain." This presentation focused on the many steps involved in taking an initial idea all the way through the research and commercialization process and how IION can act as an enabler along the way.

IION attends Northern Growth Plan Health Sector Technical Table

Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

Robert Deline, Executive Director and Healthcare Sector Specialist headed west today to participate in a multiple ministry event. The Ministry of Northern Developments and Mines in a combined effort with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure hosted the first in what is to be a series of "Technical Tables" focusing on specific sectors of the Northern Ontario economy. These Technical Tables are part of the consultation process for the Northern Ontario Growth Plan, a 25 year plan that aims to position the Northern Ontario Economy for sustainable success and growth. IION looks forward to continuing to support and consult with these ministries towards developing a path that will position Northern Ontario as a globally competitive economic region. To review Rob's presentation from this meeting, click here

Bill Ivey attends Growing Forest Value conference.

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST

Bill Ivey with his sleeves rolled up, has gotten straight to work on a number of bioenergy initiatives and also made his first appearance as an IION representative this week in Thunder Bay. The “Growing Forest Value” conference was a two day conference dealing with a broad spectrum of the forest-based bio-economy. It was exceptionally well organized by the Northwest Ontario Innovation Centre (NWOIC) with a large number of high quality speakers. In addition to plenary sessions and keynote speakers, there were three breakout sessions giving attendees a choice of three workshops. These workshop topics covered the whole range of bio-products including added value solid wood products, advanced composite materials, new engineered wood products, wood fibre based plastic materials for the auto industry, bio-refining, non-timber forest products such as natural and medicinal products, specialty food products, etc.

IION welcomes Bill Ivey

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST

IION is proud to announce the addition of an outstanding human resource to our organization. Bill Ivey has been hired as a Bio-products Commercialization Specialist with IION. Bill will be based out of Sault Ste. Marie at the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre. This strategic partnership will provide Bill with a home office that is on the ground floor of innovative industrial activity in the Algoma region. This locale will also provide him access to rural communities to the north of Sault Ste. Marie like Chapleau and Wawa. To contact Bill visit our Staff Directory

IION Website now Bilingual

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST

Innovation Initiatives Ontario North is proud to announce that our website is now offered in both official languages, French and English. We look forward to continually improving our communication networks.

IION Board of Directors Meeting

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST

NORTH BAY, ON – On February 14th 2008 the IION Board of Directors travelled from across Northern Ontario to the College Drive campus of Nipissing University in North Bay Ontario. A day of face to face discussions and strategizing have helped to plot the course for IION as we continue into 2008.

FedNor Announces IION Funding

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:00:00 EST

NORTH BAY, Ontario, January 21, 2008 — Stormont – Dundas – South Glengarry MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for FedNor, Guy Lauzon, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for FedNor, today announced a FedNor investment of $500,000 in support of Innovation Initiatives Ontario North (IION) for the development of a regional network for innovation and commercialization.

“The Government of Canada is making strategic investments to create partnerships which will help strengthen Northern Ontario’s economy,” stated Minister Clement. “I am confident today’s announcement will help make Northern Ontario a better place to live, work, play and visit.”

For the complete press release from FedNor, click here.

Research Development and Innovation in the North

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:00:00 EST

On January 18th, 2008, Robert Deline, Executive Director and Leon Magdzinksi, BioProducts Sector Specialist for Innovation Initiatives Ontario North presented on econconmic development opportunities in Northern Ontario. This presentation kicked off the Research, Development and Innovation in the North conference at the MaRS Discovery Complex.

IION Moves into New Office

Thu, 3 Jan 2008 09:00:00 EST

On Thursday January 3rd, IION completed a move to the second floor of the Commerce Court Campus of Canadore College.

This move is a sure sign of the start of a progressive and exciting year for IION. Along with the new office we have a new phone number. Innovation Initiatives Ontario North may now be reached by calling 1 (705) 494-7064.

NOHFC Announces IION Funding

Fri, 7 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST

On Friday December 7th, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Michael Gravelle was proud to announce new investment from the provincial government in health care and research.

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation has pledged a total of $500 000 to further support the establishment of the Northern Ontario Regional Innovation Network, Innovation Initiatives Ontario North.

IION would like to thank NOHFC for its support. This funding will go a long way toward establishing a strong innovation network in Northern Ontario.

For the complete press release from NOHFC, click here.

Update from BioNorth 2007

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 09:00:00 EST

On November 19th and 20th Rob Deline, IION Executive Director attended the 2007 BioNorth conference in Ottawa Ontario. The event was extremely well run by the hosts, Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation

IION would especially like to recognize Ryan Parr, Vice President, Research & Development from Genesis Genomics Incorporated in Thunder Bay. Ryan represented innovation in Northern Ontario very well with his lecture during the Novel Cancer Detection and Therapeutics workshop on Mitochondrial DNA: A 'Biosensor' for Prostate Cancer Detection.

Innovation Initiatives Ontario North Launches Website

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST

Innovation Initiatives Ontario North is proud to announce the opening of our new website. Please visit http://www.iion.ca and provide feedback.

IION Welcomes New Team Member

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST

Innovation Initiatives Ontario North is proud to announce the hiring of Ryan Briggs in the capacity of a marketing and communications intern. Ryan is a recent graduate of Nipissing University's BBA program, his skills are certain to be a benefit to the future of the organization