The four myths of business innovation in Canada - Part 1 of 6 | Unpublished
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Ian Graham
Ottawa, Ontario
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Ian Graham thinks different, challenges the status quo and is a passionate entrepreneur committed to helping early-stage businesses in Ottawa succeed and grow. He has close to a decade of hands on practical experience working in a variety of roles with a number of very early stage businesses. Ian has a deep personal interest in macro-economics, entrepreneurship, innovation and policy to facilitate the growth of entrepreneurial ecosystems. He spends much of his “spare” time researching and writing on these topics.

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The four myths of business innovation in Canada - Part 1 of 6

February 1, 2014

AKA – Tales from the paper dragon … myth or reality?

Part 1 – Introduction

Industry Canada recently published on their website a consultation paper (Seizing Canada's Moment: Moving Forward in Science, Technology and Innovation) requesting feedback on Canada’s Science and Technology Policy. The findings in the consultation paper are largely based on an expert report called “Paradox Lost: Explaining Canada’s Research Strength and Innovation Weakness” written by the Council of Canadian Academies.  I have some significant difference of opinion with the report that we will delve into as we explore the four myths of business innovation in Canada.

Here are the four myths of innovation from my perspective:

  1. Gazelles (high-growth startups) create the most net new jobs
  2. Non-profit organizations are best suited to delivering programs for business innovation
  3. Canadian academic research, overall, is strong and well regarded internationally
  4. Canadian business innovation is weak by international standards, and this is the primary cause of Canada’s poor productivity growth

I will be writing a post on each of the four myths over the next two weeks and finishing with a set of recommendations to submit to Industry Canada. Any and all comments, feedback warmly welcomed.

Informed, rational and healthy discourse is the life blood of innovation.

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