Dear Members & Associates,
Our Digital Supercluster is committed to finding solutions to protect the health and security of Canadians impacted by COVID-19 while also looking ahead to support policymakers and our Members in planning for the economic recovery across BC and the country.
COVID-19 Program
Today we announced our first investments in projects submitted to our COVID-19 Program. Thank you for the overwhelming positive response to this program. The quality, diversity and number of submissions we have received to date is a testament to the power of our innovation ecosystem and your commitment to finding solutions to problems created by COVID-19.
We are accelerating the review and selection of leading proposals submitted to this program and look forward to sharing selected projects with you in the near future.
Resources:
- Read our Program Guide & Co-Investment Guidelines here.
- If you have an idea that is aligned with our Program Guide, submit your response in our Call for Projects.
New Support for Technology and Innovation Firms
On Friday, April 17th, Prime Minister Trudeau announced: “…$270 million to ‘Futurepreneur’ and the ‘Industrial Research Assistance Program’ to support innovators and other early-stage development firms that don’t qualify for the wage subsidy but still need help.”
With this announcement, the Government of Canada expanded its support to include many of our Members who do not meet the requirements of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program or any other of the support programs previously announced. Thank you to our Members who provided input on the critical role that innovators and early-stage companies play in our economy and especially in respect of our economy in the future. BC-based Minister Jonathan Wilkinson advanced the interests of our Members and the many other innovators across the country leading to the announcement on Friday. Sign up to learn more here.
COVID-19 Supply Hub Update:
The BC COVID19 Supply Hub was launched on April 1st to streamline and secure supply offers of much needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for BC’s front-line health workers. In the first 14 days, the Supply Hub has received over 3,200 offers of PPE supplies representing more than 600 suppliers and nearly 2.5 billion units of supplies. This includes over 22 million N95 masks, 35 million surgical and procedural masks and 50,000 gowns. The Hub has equipped PHSA staff (with the commercial support of KPMG) with the tools to prioritize offers received and act upon them over the past week.
Upcoming Events:
1) Townhall Q&A: A Year in Review. Register for our Townhall where we will discuss the state of the nation, current portfolio and what makes for a successful project.
When: Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 (1-2PM PST)
Where: Register here to receive dial-in details
ACTION: Please send questions to info@digitalsupercluster.ca by April 21st
2) Associate Onboarding Webinar: Recently joined the Supercluster or want a refresher on how you can get involved and what it means to be part of this community? Join us for this informational Associate Onboarding Webinar!
When: Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 (1-2PM PST)
Where: Register here to receive dial-in details
3) Re$earch Money Webinar: Coping with COVID-19: A Conversation with Canada’s Superclusters. Hear from all five of Canada’s Innovation Superclusters and get an update on how Superclusters and members are being impacted by COVID-19. Register here
Useful links:
Business Council of BC Blog – How are B.C.’s large employers faring through COVID-19? Part I
Wishing you all a safe week ahead,
Sue