The Government of Ontario and Newly Named Ontario Centre of Innovation Strengthen Partnership to Accelerate Innovation and Commercialization

November 20, 2020

The Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) will become the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) and is strengthening its partnership with the Government of Ontario to further the organization’s central role in Ontario’s innovation ecosystem.

TORONTO, November 20, 2020 – Today, the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) held its Annual General Meeting where members approved a resolution to change the organization’s name to the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI). OCI and the Government of Ontario are pleased to announce the organization’s rebranding as they work together to further increase and strengthen the role of OCI in Ontario’s innovation strategy.

This positive step will better position OCI to support the Province’s economic recovery priorities and address the findings of various reviews that identified the key role OCI can play in improving coordination and program delivery of Ontario’s investments in innovation and commercialization.

“Ontario is proudly home to one of the most dynamic and collaborative innovation ecosystems in the world,” said Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “As OCI and our government work closely together to drive prosperity from innovation, we are excited about the organization’s new name and governance to better reflect its work and further strengthen its role in Ontario’s innovation strategy. By fostering the conditions for a strong innovation economy in Ontario, we will ensure that our province is well-positioned for recovery, new jobs and growth.”

As OCI and the Government of Ontario work closely together to drive prosperity from innovation and accelerate the commercialization of Made-in-Ontario technologies, this created an exciting opportunity to refresh the organization’s name to better reflect this work. On November 5th, the Government of Ontario introduced legislation to enhance governance by appointing up to six (6) Directors to OCI’s board.

“Maintaining our leadership in emerging technology development and deployment is crucial to Ontario’s success,” said Dr. Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of OCI. “By strengthening our long-standing partnership with the Province of Ontario, we are delivering on the government’s priorities to accelerate the commercialization of Made-in-Ontario technologies and help Ontario companies scale and succeed in the global marketplace. Together, we are inspiring innovators to respond to today’s challenges with tomorrow’s solutions.”

For over 33 years, the Ontario Centre of Innovation has fostered industry-academic R&D collaboration and accelerated the development, commercialization and adoption of emerging technologies in Ontario.
OCI’s tagline, “Where Next Happens”, highlights this focus on leveraging partnership to equip Ontario-based companies with the transformative next-generation technologies of tomorrow to drive job creation, business growth and global competitiveness today.

“This strengthened partnership enables OCI to work more closely with our provincial partners and deliver more effectively on the province’s priorities and innovation strategy,” says Dr. Dan Patterson, Chair of OCI’s Board of Directors. “We’re delighted to be launching this new chapter in our long history with the Government of Ontario and deliver even greater value for Ontario innovators, entrepreneurs, and taxpayers.”

The Ontario Centre of Innovation will continue to operate as Ontario Centres of Excellence as the name change and brand transition is completed over the coming months.

About the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI):

The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), formerly the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), maximizes thecommercial impact of research developed in Ontario’s colleges, universities, and research hospitals, andaccelerates the commercialization of Made-in-Ontario technologies. A pan-provincial collaboration platform, with a broad and deep network across industry, academia and government, OCI initiates unparalleled partnership opportunities, develops and manages successful industry-academic collaborations, supports high-potential SMEs in commercializing ground-breaking research, and provides hands-on training and skills development opportunities for the next generation of highly-skilled talent.

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Media Contact:
Braden Root-McCaig
Director of Communication & Strategy, OCI
Braden.root-mccaig@oce-ontario.org
647-523-4300

A connected community, a coordinated response

March 16, 2020

With the increasing spread of COVID-19 and a rapidly evolving global response, the health and safety of our staff, partners and the broader public is our top priority.  We are taking proactive actions to support global, national, provincial and local efforts being undertaken on the ground as we work together to “flatten the curve.” OCE is dedicated to ensuring our actions are informed by the best expert advice available and we will continue to coordinate our response with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Ontario’s Ministry of Health, and Toronto’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. 

We are implementing these immediate safety measures to help reduce the potential spread of the virus, while ensuring business continuity: 

• All OCE staff are working from home. 

• All in-person events, workshops and meetings currently scheduled have been suspended until further notice. If you have a meeting or event scheduled, we will coordinate with you to develop an alternative arrangement. 
• We are no longer taking meetings at our main office (325 Front Street W.) and will be instead setting up virtual meetings and teleconference calls, where appropriate. 

• Be advised that if you are a current tenant of our main office, building access is still possible for those with security passes and fixed hand-sanitizer stations remain available throughout the building. 

• All business travel has been suspended. 
• For those using the ENCQOR and NGNP testbeds and the AVIN Regional Technology Development Sites (RTDS), please consult with the appropriate innovation hub for their approach to building/on-site access. 

With the World Health Organization recognizing COVID-19 as a public health emergency, the emphasis must be on each of our individual actions as we work together, in a coordinated effort, to contain the spread of the virus. 

Please be assured that we are virtually connected to our systems, answering calls and emails, in-taking and reviewing applications, issuing awards, and processing claims.  Our Business Development (BD) Team is working virtually with clients, developing proposals and assisting with applications. To borrow from the wise words of our partner Communitech, it’s “business as virtual” in the innovation ecosystem. 

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Braden Root-McCaig, Director of Communications & Strategy at braden.root-mccaig@oce-ontario.org. 

We also recognize the importance of access to quality information sources and encourage individuals seeking additional information about the virus to visit Health Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Toronto Public Health. 

Sincerely, 
Claudia Krywiak 
President & CEO 
OCE 

OCE names new President and CEO

October 11, 2019

Toronto, October 11, 2019 – Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Dr. Claudia Krywiak has been appointed the new President and CEO of OCE. Claudia has been serving as OCE’s Interim President and CEO since July 2019, following the retirement of Dr. Tom Corr. 
 
Claudia Krywiak, OCE’s new President and CEO 

“Claudia’s strategic leadership in the role of Vice President, Corporate Development, Planning and Strategic Initiatives has contributed greatly to OCE’s success. She has worked closely with Ontario’s business, research, and government communities for many years and has a strong grasp of how these stakeholders can work strategically together to elevate Ontario’s standing as a formidable competitor in global markets,” says Michael Nobrega, Board Chair of OCE. 

Since joining OCE in 2011, Claudia has championed innovation as a key driver of competitiveness and economic growth, implemented strategic initiatives and brought together multiple levels of government, corporations, academia and SMEs to fuel growth in emerging technology areas. Previously, Claudia was Vice President of Business Development at Mitacs, and began her career at Bruker Corporation. 

In addition to her role as President and CEO at OCE, Claudia also serves on the Board of Directors for IBI Group Inc. and received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Toronto. 

“It’s an honour to have been chosen to lead OCE given the long and successful history of the organization in driving job creation and economic opportunities in the province while helping Ontario-based SMEs and young entrepreneurs commercialize technologies both at home and in the global marketplace,” says Claudia Krywiak. “I look forward to working with our industry, academic, and government partners across the innovation ecosystem in continuing OCE’s long-standing role as a connector and collaboration platform.” 

ABOUT Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc. 

OCE maximizes the commercial impact of research developed in Ontario’s colleges, universities, and research hospitals, and accelerates the commercialization of emerging technologies for the prosperity of Ontario. A pan-provincial collaboration platform, with a broad and deep network across industry, academia, and government, OCE initiates unparalleled partnership opportunities, develops and manages successful industry-academic collaborations, supports high potential SMEs in commercializing ground-breaking research, and provides hands-on training and skills development opportunities for the next generation of highly-skilled talent. OCE invests in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, digital media and information communications, advanced health, cleantech, automotive and ag-tech to drive job creation and economic growth in Ontario.