Industry Connect

An Industry/Researcher Connector Event in partnership with NSERC Ontario to bring together the researchers at Lakehead and industry representatives who are interested in a collaborating with Lakehead faculty and researchers. The evening includes short networking opportunities, a brief introduction to NSERC and funding opportunities relevant for research/industry collaboration, in particular NSERC’s “Engage grant,” a short overview of Lakehead University research success stories, a sit down dinner, and a 2nd session of presentations where Lakehead researchers introduce the areas of research, training and technology expertise they can offer industry, concluding with more networking time.

An Industry/Researcher Connector Event in partnership with NSERC Ontario to bring together the researchers at Lakehead and industry representatives who are interested in a collaborating with Lakehead faculty and researchers. The evening includes short networking opportunities, a brief introduction to NSERC and funding opportunities relevant for research/industry collaboration, in particular NSERC’s “Engage grant,” a short overview of Lakehead University research success stories, a sit down dinner, and a 2nd session of presentations where Lakehead researchers introduce the areas of research, training and technology expertise they can offer industry, concluding with more networking time.

Business 2 Innovation

This networking and information event encourages learning, collaboration and interaction by connecting industry and researchers to create partnerships. Join us and discover how Central Ontario's businesses are accessing expertise and funding to maximize innovation and growth.

Northern SPARK

The Economic Development and Innovation Office (EDI) hosts Northern SPARK, a networking event inviting faculty, staff and students to share their innovative ideas, and show-off their entrepreneurial spirit. This event provided a platform for everyone to share, with a few selected 5-minute presentations, followed by an open-mic forum for anyone to contribute their story, journey, new product, service, business idea, or research project.

Northern IGNITE

This event was a great addition to Lakehead University’s 11^th Annual Research & Innovation Week. The purpose of this event was to discover pathways between local, regional industry and Lakehead University research students and faculty to form future partnerships and collaborations. We encouraged the faculty presenters to use the PechaKucha style presentations (20 slides, 20 seconds each, only images) for this event.  The audience was very engaged with this “lean in” presentation style which was not only informative but fun and creative to watch.  The event was sponsored by NSERC, and will continue at the next Research and Innovation Week.

Watch the 2017 speaker videos

Entrepreneurship Day

 The inaugural day began in Orillia in March 2016, in partnership with the Small Business Centre for Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia, the Community Development Corp, the YMCA, and Partners in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (PIE). It was lunch event to discuss resources and programming available in Orillia (and area) for starting a business. This event will continue in Orillia in the fall, and on Thunder Bay's campus in 2017. 

The Economic Development and Innovation office also takes part in many community events throughout the year, as well as contributes to Small Business Week.