Innovacorp regularly participates in business events, conferences and notable industry initiatives. Check it out.

Business Over Breakfast: Clean Technology Leaders
February 15, 2012
Join us at the Innovacorp Enterprise Centre for breakfast and a conversation with movers and shakers in the global clean technology industry. Hear about their companies and their commitment to the industry, and get advice on best practices and financing for your business. Visit http://innovacorp.ca/business-over-breakfast-clean-technology-leaders for more information.

Research Meets Business Holiday Reception
December 13, 2011
Once again, Innovacorp partnered in the annual Research Meets Business Holiday Reception, along with BioNova, Genome Atlantic, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and Springboard. The festivities happened in the stunning atrium at the Life Sciences Research Institute.

Business Over Breakfast: Social Media for the Little Guy
November 24, 2011
At the Technology Innovation Centre on November 24, attendees learned about great social media practices happening right here in Nova Scotia. From charities to coffee shops, many local ventures are making the most of social media. Anita Hovey of Twirp Communications showcased some local social media superstars and gave attendees inspiration to translate to their own brands. Visit http://innovacorp.ca/business-over-breakfast-social-media-little-guy for more information.

Communications Strategy Seminar with Peter Moreira
November 22, 2011
In late November, Innovacorp co-hosted a seminar on communications strategy for select clients. Peter Moreira, a communications consultant, journalist and the CEO of www.entrevestor.com, delivered the two-part session, which was designed to help young companies devise and implement a media strategy as quickly and inexpensively as possible.

Dalhousie School of Business
November 21, 2011
Innovacorp’s Greg Phipps was a guest lecturer at Dalhousie’s business school. He spoke about new venture creation, the realities of raising venture capital, investment types, and how start-ups should prepare a pitch for venture capital investors. 

CABI’s 20th Annual Conference
November 6-8, 2011
The Canadian Association of Business Incubation (CABI) held its 20th annual conference in Ottawa from November 6-8. Innovacorp’s David McNamara (CABI president), Shelley Hessian (program chair and conference co-master of ceremonies), and Moscoula Mallis (committee member) helped organize the conference. Visit http://www.cabi.ca/conference_2011.php to learn more about the conference.

Business Over Breakfast: Clean Technology: Poised for Growth
October 26, 2011
At the Innovacorp Enterprise Centre on October 26, a panel of experts shared insights about our region’s foray into the burgeoning clean technology industry. Attendees also learned about the Nova Scotia CleanTech Open ― Innovacorp’s new competition to find and fund the best clean technology start-ups in the world. Visit http://innovacorp.ca/business-over-breakfast-clean-technology for more information.

Mentor Camp
October 11, 2011
Innovacorp, ACOA, NRC and NSBI came together to bring more than a dozen world-class mentors to Halifax and allow six companies to benefit from their vast knowledge and experience in one intense day. Visit http://mentorcamp.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/mentor-camp/ to learn more.
 
Nova Scotia CleanTech Open
September 2011 – June 2012
Innovacorp officially launched the Nova Scotia CleanTech Open -a competition designed to find and fund high potential clean technology start-ups. The goal is to attract the best clean technology companies in the world to Nova Scotia. Visit http://novascotiacleantech.com to learn more.

I-3 Technology Start-Up Competition
September 2011– February 2012
Nova Scotia start-ups have a chance to compete for up to $200,000 in investment through Innovacorp's provincial I-3 Technology Start-Up Competition, launched September 13.The I-3 competition finds and supports high-potential, early stage knowledge-based companies, and encourages entrepreneurial activity across the province. Visit www.innovacorp.ca for full I-3 competition details.

Business Over Breakfast: Running Lean
September 29, 2011
We were pleased to welcome Ash Maurya, founder of USERcycle and WiredReach and author of Running Lean, as our featured speaker. This session was targeted at early stage technology entrepreneurs who want to raise their odds for building successful products. For more information and to listen to a podcast from the event, visit http://innovacorp.ca/business-over-breakfast-running-lean.

Sustainable Community Business Conference
July 14, 2011
On July 14, Innovacorp’s Clifford Gross and Jacquelyn Thayer Scott, our board chair, spoke at the Sustainable Community Business Conference held at Cape Breton University. Innovacorp was proud to partner in the event. Visit http://www.cbu.ca/events/scbc to learn more about the conference.
 
Cleantech-East Conference
June 21, 2011
 Innovacorp’s Patrick Keefe served as moderator for a session at the Cleantech-East conference on June 21, at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax. The session explored investment opportunities in clean technology, including a look at new incentives for cleantech investment and recently created government funds. For more information about the conference, visit https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/index.php?eventid=23944& .

Life Sciences Research Institute Grand Opening
June 21, 2011
On June 21, Innovacorp celebrated the official opening of the Life Sciences Research Institute (LSRI), with Dalhousie University, Capital Health and the IWK Health Centre. This new institute provides much-needed research, innovation and incubator space, for the region's rapidly-growing life sciences and biotechnology sectors. The Life Sciences Research Institute holds enormous potential to develop innovative treatments and new medical instrumentation that will ultimately improve health care, alleviate human pain and suffering, and offer new commercial opportunities.

Summer Barbecue
June 17, 2011
On June 17, we held our summer staff barbecue at the Technology Innovation Centre in Dartmouth. All proceeds went to the Canadian Cancer Society.

CanWIT Atlantic Chapter Teleforum
June 7, 2011
On June 7, Innovacorp’s Shelley Hessian was a panel speaker at the CanWIT (Canadian Women in Technology) Atlantic Chapter Teleforum. CanWIT is a community network designed to boost women's participation and advancement in the high growth technology industries. Visit http://wits.cs.dal.ca/events/canwit-atlantic-teleforum to learn more about the teleforum.

Business Over Breakfast: Women in Technology
May 26, 2011
Our preeminent lineup of women shared their experiences, successes and challenges in the technology industry. They spoke on the lessons they have learned and gave career and business advice. For more information and to listen to a podcast from the event, visit http://innovacorp.ca/business-over-breakfast-women-technology . 

Business Over Breakfast: Elements of a Successful Pitch
April 28, 2011
April’s Business Over Breakfast gathering focused on the elements of a successful pitch. Your company's pitch is crucial when it comes to raising capital. Our expert panel shared their experiences securing investment. They gave advice and insight on what to include in a pitch, what preparation is necessary, and what to say to really sell your business. Click here for more information.

Canadian Cleantech Summit
April 26 to 28, 2011
(NB: This event has been postponed until further notice.)
Innovacorp's Clifford Gross will speak at the second annual Canadian Cleantech Summit in Ottawa on April 28. His presentation will highlight how Nova Scotia is an ideal location for clean technology companies. Click here for more information.

Manning Innovation Awards
April 20, 2011
This year’s Manning Innovation Awards took place on April 20, 2011. Innovacorp’s Ken Lee is a director of the Atlantic Chapter of the awards committee. The Manning Innovation Awards nominees’ reception celebrated innovation in Atlantic Canada. The guest speaker was Gerry Pond, chair of Mariner Partners Inc. Stephen Hankinson, from our client Tether, was one of this year’s nominees from the Atlantic region.

Renewable Energy Conference
April 19 and 20, 2011
The 6th Annual Renewable Energy Conference took place on April 19 and 20. On the gathering’s second day, Innovacorp’s Clifford Gross participated as a panelist for the Pitching Den session, where three pitchers from the clean technology and renewable energy sectors presented their early stage ideas or ventures in hopes of securing an investment partner. Find more event info at www.energyevent.ca.

Saint Mary’s Bob Shaw MBA Case Competition
April 18-20, 2011
Innovacorp’s Ken Lee and Shelley Hessian served as judges in Saint Mary’s 16th Annual Bob Shaw MBA Case Competition from April 18-20. The competition gave MBA students an opportunity to showcase the skills and knowledge they have acquired during their first year of studies, while competing against their peers.

Dalhousie Corporate Residency MBA panel
April 5, 2011
Innovacorp’s Jennifer Robichaud participated on a leadership panel that spoke to a class of Dalhousie Corporate Residency MBA students. Made up of industry leaders from various sectors, the panel had an interactive discussion with the students about leadership strategies, styles, future directions, challenges, ethical issues, etc.

Intimate and Interactive
April 5, 2011
Innovacorp’s Clifford Gross will speak with Wendy Bergfeldt, host of CBC Radio’s Mainstreet Cape Breton, at the Intimate and Interactive event on April 5 at the Membertou Trade & Convention Centre. Cliff will speak on his experience and his vision for taking the next leap forward in helping early stage technology companies in Nova Scotia commercialize their technologies and succeed in the global marketplace. The evening will begin with an up close and personal conversation between Cliff and Wendy, followed by a Q&A session with the audience. A networking reception will follow the formal program.

Protecting Your Intellectual Property
March 31, 2011
March’s Business Over Breakfast gathering focused on intellectual property protection. Intellectual property is often overlooked in a business, yet it can be one of your most important assets. Attendees heard from a panel of experts about what you can protect, how you should protect it, and strategies that optimize protection and your budget. Tips were shared to help you avoid loss of rights, loss of ownership and liability to others. Click here for more info.

Nova Scotia Innovative Ideas 2011 Competition
March 2011
The Nova Scotia Innovative Ideas Competition encourages entrepreneurial-thinking, innovation and creativity. The challenge is for post-secondary students in Nova Scotia to develop an exciting idea with potential to impact business or the community. Throughout March, students pitched their ideas to the judges at campus competitions across the province. The winners from these competitions advanced to the Nova Scotia Innovative Ideas 2011 Competition. There, they competed against other colleges and universities on March 28 and 29 at the Technology Innovation Centre in Dartmouth. Innovacorp’s Clifford Gross will be a judge.

Innovacorp also helped in earlier rounds feeding into this competition: Shelley Hessian judged NSCC Middleton and Acadia University's campus competitions on March 11 and 16, respectively. Our Entrepreneur in Residence, Jevon MacDonald, also served as a judge for NSCC's IDEAS 2011 campus competition on March 18.

CanWIT Roundtable on Women's Enterprise Growth
March 24, 2011
On March 24, Innovacorp's Shelley Hessian was a panel speaker at the CanWIT (Canadian Women in Technology) roundtable on Women’s Enterprise Growth. The objective of the roundtable was to identify policy and program opportunities and response strategies to stimulate Canadian economic growth through women's entrepreneurship, and build awareness of the Taskforce Blueprint Action Strategies.

CoRDA Networking and Professional Development Session
March 22, 2011
On March 22, Innovacorp sponsored a breakfast networking and professional development session in Truro, held by the Colchester Regional Development Agency (CoRDA). Panel speakers were Jon Stanfield, president of Stanfield Canada, Michael Johnston, president and CEO of TeamSpace, and Greg Evans, president of Carry-Yak. 

ACE Regional Exposition – Atlantic Canada
March 11, 2011
Innovacorp's Ken Lee served as a judge for the 2011 Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE) Student Entrepreneur Regional Competition. This event brought together students to showcase how their projects or business ventures are shaping the economic, social and environmental landscape of Canada. ACE is a national, charitable organization dedicated to teaching and igniting young Canadians to create brighter futures for themselves and their communities. Annual national competitions provide a forum for these students to present their businesses and be evaluated by entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

EnviroR&DTech2011
March 8 and 9
Innovacorp's Clifford Gross spoke at EnviroR&DTech2011 on March 9 at the Westin Nova Scotia in Halifax. Innovacorp was a proud partner of the event, which was presented by the Environmental Services Association of Nova Scotia (ESANS), in partnership with Springboard and the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council. EnviroR&DTech2011's mission is to connect prominent organizations that support collaboration and advancement in the environmental sector via integration of Atlantic Canadian innovation with other prominent research and development organizations in the region.

Digital Nova Scotia Annual Dinner
March 8, 2011
Innovacorp affiliate Digital Nova Scotia hosted its annual dinner at the Westin Nova Scotia on March 8. The non-profit organization is dedicated to the ongoing growth and development of Nova Scotia's digital technologies industry. Incorporated in 1989, Digital Nova Scotia has been serving the Nova Scotia industry for over 20 years. Innovacorp was proud to sponsor a table and employees also volunteers at the dinner. The evening's keynote speaker was Don Harrison, vice president and deputy general counsel of Google. Originally from Nova Scotia, Don is a lead negotiator in Google's venture fund.

Digital Nova Scotia Digital Leadership Summit
March 8, 2011
On March 8, Innovacorp's Clifford Gross and Ken Lee participated in Digital Nova Scotia's Digital Leadership Summit, an industry-wide meeting to discuss growth strategies and building wealth. The all-day session included a presentation, Trends in the Cloud, by Forrester Research, and panel discussions around cloud opportunities.

Conversations with Business Leaders – Sydney
March 8, 2011
Innovacorp's Bob Pelley participated in a focus group on February 8 in Sydney at the request of the Collaborative Business Schools Advisory Group. Bob joined other local business leaders to discuss the role Nova Scotia's eight post-secondary business schools can have in fostering economic growth. The focus group was hosted by Dr. Keith Brown, Cape Breton University's Purdy Crawford chair in aboriginal business studies, and Keith MacDonald, executive director, Cape Breton Partnership.

Agricultural Investment Symposium
March 7 and 8, 2011
Innovacorp's Ben Forcier was a member of the Investor Advisory and Selection Committee that was organizing the Agricultural Investment Symposium. The event took place in Halifax, on March 7 and 8. It focused on entrepreneurial companies in the agricultural and farming sectors. As part of the committee, Ben played a key role in selecting which entrepreneurs were chosen to receive coaching and present their ideas to potential investors at the event.

Business Over Breakfast: Social Media Trends for 2011
February 24, 2011
February’s Business Over Breakfast gathering featured social media trends. Last year was an extraordinary year for social media growth and adoption. Whether you've gone at it full throttle or are still wishing it would go away, there's no denying social media is here to stay. Our panel of experts addressed trends they see for social media in 2011 and how you can leverage it for your business. Click here for more information.

Innovation Selection Committee for the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program
February 4, 2011
Innovacorp's Ben Forcier visited Ottawa on February 4, to meet with fellow members of the Innovation Selection Committee for the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP). The CICP assists small and medium Canadian enterprises (SMEs) to move innovation from lab to market. The program is a new, $40 million initiative, launched as part of the Government of Canada's commitment to promote Canada's economic growth. The CICP will help companies bridge the pre-commercialization gap for their innovative products and services by awarding contracts through an open, transparent, competitive and fair procurement process.

Running Lean Workshop
January 25, 26 and 27, 2011
Innovacorp is bringing Ash Maurya, founder of WiredReach and author of Running Lean, to Nova Scotia for a series of workshops on Running Lean. Running Lean is about focusing on the right stuff and reducing waste. The hands-on, one-day workshop, happening in Sydney, Dartmouth and Halifax, will focus on applying bootstrapping, customer development, and lean start-up techniques to your existing or next product. It will cover the first step towards building a successful product – validating whether you have a problem worth solving. You will leave knowing how to define and measure your success metrics and have a set of actionable next steps to get your product on a strong footing. Learn more here.

Meet the Grads Night at NSCC in Truro
January 19, 2011
Innovacorp’s Stephen Hartlen will be a guest speaker at Meet the Grads Night in Truro. The evening is hosted by the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists (NSIA) on behalf of the Atlantic Institutes of Agrology, and targets 2011 NSAC degree graduands (ie. students about to graduate), NSIA members, and representatives of the NSAC administration. Stephen will talk about Innovacorp as well as entrepreneurship and innovation as possible future steps for new grads.

Business Over Breakfast: Idea to Market - Medical Technologies
January 20, 2011
The path from idea to market is a long and challenging one at the best of times. When you're dealing with medical technologies, it's even more complex. A packed house heard from a panel of experts who've been in the trenches turning medical innovations into business success stories. Click here for more information.

BDC’s 2011 Young Entrepreneur Awards
Winter/Spring 2011
Innovacorp’s Ken Lee will be one of four judges on the Nova Scotia committee in the BDC’s 2011 Young Entrepreneur Awards (YEA). The awards pay tribute to outstanding young Canadian entrepreneurs (aged 19 to 35) not only for their success in business, but also for their creativity, innovative spirit and community involvement. Winners of the 2011 YEA will also be eligible for two special awards  - the Deloitte Corporate Social Responsibility Award and the Cisco Innovation Excellence Award. The application deadline has closed and the winners will be announced in Saskatchewan in May.

Everything You Need to Know about Raising Equity Financing
January 10, 2011
In January, Innovacorp partnered in a one-day seminar titled Everything You Need to Know about Raising Equity Financing. The event was presented by the Atlantic Canada Venture Gateway, in partnership with the First Angel Network and the Newfoundland and Labrador Angel Network. The keynote speaker was David Raffa, COO and founding partner of Lion’s Capital Corp. and co-author of the bestselling book, Everything I Wanted to Know About Business...I Learned From a Canadian. Innovacorp's Patrick Keefe participated in one of the day's three panel sessions, all of which addressed what you need to know before, during and after you raise equity investment. The seminar happened in each Atlantic province. Halifax’s gathering was on on January 10. For more information, contact Karen Paul at 709.864.4088 or kpaul@mun.ca.

Business Over Breakfast: What Makes Entrepreneurs Do it Again (and Again)?
November 25, 2010
Serial entrepreneurs can have a big advantage over people new to the start-up challenge, but what motivates them to pursue another venture? How do they say good-bye to their “first love”? How do they bounce back from a failure? How do they choose their next venture? What were some of their best and worst decisions as CEO? Will their latest pursuit be their last? Our panel of entrepreneurs shared their answers to these questions and what they've learned along the way, having been there and done that...a few times. Click here for more information.

Power of Green Conference
November 8, 2010
Top CEOs joined policy experts and world leaders in sustainability at the conference for top-level executives who want to position their company for the future. Innovacorp was on hand to learn more about the conference cornerstones, innovation, growth and profit, while our Patrick Keefe spoke on Financing for Clean Technologies and Green Business Models. Visit www.thepowerofgreen.ca for more information.

Business Over Breakfast: Got My Message? Media Relations Tips for Start-Ups
October 27, 2010
A panel of media experts shared tips on understanding the media, becoming a better spokesperson, and getting your message out. Our lineup included Michael Tutton of The Canadian Press, Peter Moreira of Hark Business Communications, Jennifer Henderson from CBC, and Mark Renouf of MT&L. Click here for more information.

INVEST ATLANTIC – Raising Capital for Business
October 26, 2010
Innovacorp was proud to partner in INVEST ATLANTIC, held in Halifax at the World Trade and Convention Centre. The investment conference focused on raising equity capital for businesses looking for expansion, growth, and/or partnerships. Panelists included Innovacorp’s Jevon MacDonald and Patrick Keefe. For more information, visit www.investatlantic.ca.

Best Big Idea Contest
October 13, 2010
Innovacorp’s Ken Lee was one of the judges for the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council’s Best Big Idea contest, aiming to establish new businesses and empower entrepreneurs to create employment. The winner, announced at the council’s annual wine and cheese reception on October 13, was Milan Vikrac for his idea of a unique web-based email security application.

CABI 19th Annual Conference
October 3-5, 2010
Innovacorp’s interim president and CEO Stephen Hartlen presented at the preconference bootcamp, Building Blocks for Your Incubator, speaking on the topics of coaching and mentoring. Stephen also served as a panelist, along with Tracey Kitts, vice president and COO of NBIA, for the session Year 2020 Vision: Incubation in the Next Decade. Stephen and representatives from Innovacorp’s incubation team were on hand to accept a special Award of Merit in recognition for achievements in the field of business incubation on an international level. Check out the conference highlights at www.cabi.ca.

Business Over Breakfast: Views from the Top - CEO Panel
September 29, 2010
Experienced CEOs shared their perspectives on building and leading a technology business. Hear about the financial, marketing and sales, human resource, and technical challenges they've faced and how they've triumphed (or, in some cases, didn't). For more information and to listen to a podcast from the event, visit http://innovacorp.ca/business-over-breakfast-views-top-ceo-panel

Gowlings – Starting and Managing a Company in a Post-Recession (POSTPONED)
September 23, 2010
Gowlings, partnered with Innovacorp, is presenting on how best to position your company for fundraising in the current economic environment. Industry experts, including Innovacorp’s Lidija Marusic, will panel discussions on available funding options and how to manage your assets to make sure you are in the best position to acquire funding. The seminar will be held at Innovacorp’s BioScience Enterprise Centre in downtown Halifax. There is no cost for the event, but registration is required. To register and learn more, visit http://bionova.ca/014_mediabank/File/GowlingsWorkshop.pdf.

BioPort Atlantic – Pumping the Pipeline
September 21-22, 2010
Atlantic Canada's premiere event for the life sciences industry. Innovacorp's CEO and president (interim), Stephen Hartlen, discussed the new Innovacorp Enterprise Centre, opening in April 2011.

NSCC Event Honouring Dr. Jack Buckley
July 20, 2010
Innovacorp's Jennifer Robichaud presented at an event honouring the contributions of Dr. Jack Buckley, former president of NSCC. Dr. Buckley was president of NSCC from 1997 - 1999 and played a key role in making the college the success it is today.

Innovation in Transportation
June 24, 2010
Innovacorp’s Stephen Hartlen presented on the importance of innovation at a Transport Canada workshop on innovation in transportation.

Business Over Breakfast: Building Effective Distribution Channels
May 26, 2010
Distributors can help early stage companies reach export markets. Unfortunately, many companies have problems finding the right distributors, negotiating an agreement, and managing the distributor relationship. The best distribution channels for your company depend on your market, your product, and what your competitors are doing, but there are things you can do to build effective and hassle-free distribution channels, maintain control over product sales, and protect your profit margins. This month's panel members were Ian Lucas, executive vice president of innovation and strategy with Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd., Robert Nadeau, partner at Kerr & Nadeau, and Mike Flynn, director of business development at Tether. Panel moderator was Stephen Hartlen, president and CEO (interim) at Innovacorp. For more information and to listen to a podcast from the event, visit http://innovacorp.ca/business-over-breakfast-building-effective-distribu....

National Business Incubation Association's International Conference on Business Incubation
May 16-19, 2010
Innovacorp's Stephen Hartlen and Shelley Hessian participated at NBIA's International Conference on Business Incubation happening in May in Orlando, Florida. Stephen and Shelley delivered a half-day pre-conference workshop in which they shared Innovacorp’s proven outreach strategy for developing, managing and growing the client pipeline. For more information about the conference, visit http://www.nbia.org/events/.

Innovation Nation – Halifax Roundtable
May 5, 2010
Innovacorp and the Public Policy Forum co-hosted a small gathering of select senior leaders from the private, public, research and social sectors to discuss the future of innovation in Canada. Participants addressed two questions: What must be done to increase innovation -- research, development and commercialization -- in the private sector, and how can the broader community of innovators build a stronger culture of collaboration between and within sectors? This roundtable is part of a cross-country series that launched last year. The objective is to help develop a blueprint for the next generation of innovation strategy in Canada. The Public Policy Forum will report on each roundtable and prepare a summary report of the series in advance of a national gathering in Toronto on May 27.

Business Over Breakfast: Avoiding Sales Pitfalls for Start-ups
April 29, 2010
You formulated a brilliant marketing strategy and executed a flawless campaign. By now everyone has heard about your clearly superior product. So why aren't you selling more? Jim Gillis, principal partner and vice president of engineering with ADM Systems Engineering, Paul Phillips, director of business development for Precision BioLogic, and Eldon MacKeigan, a partner at Sandler Training, discussed the difference between marketing and sales, the importance of sales, and how to create a proactive and effective selling system to grow your company. For more information visit http://innovacorp.ca/business-over-breakfast-avoiding-sales-pitfalls-sta....

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network (EDN) Entrepreneur of the Year Event
April 20, 2010
Innovacorp's Stephen Hartlen participated in a panel discussion at EDN's Entrepreneur of the Year event. The discussion focused on equity sources of financing, and included a small business investor, an angel investor, and a representative from the First Angel Network.

Expat Canadian Event (Cape Breton Style) in San Francisco
April 8, 2010
Innovacorp helped host an expat Canadian event in San Francisco on April 8. The event was a rocking Cape Breton kitchen party with an innovation theme. Innovacorp's Bob Pelley joined representatives from other event partners, Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, Cape Breton Island – Nova Scotia's Masterpiece, East Coast Connected, as well as trade mission participants from the Cape Breton business community. There were almost 200 confirmed guests for the gathering. The event coincided with the arrival of the Cape Breton Island – Nova Scotia's Masterpiece yacht, to California. The vessel is Cape Breton's entry, and the only Canadian entry, in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. The goal of the event was to promote Atlantic Canada (Cape Breton Island, in particular) as a place where people come to visit, to do business, to invest, to study, and to live.

Sobey MBA Panel on Business Development and Entrepreneurship
April 6, 2010
Innovacorp's Stephen Hartlen participated in a panel discussion on business development in Atlantic Canada, along with David Surrette of Export Development Canada and Greg Dickie of the Busines Development Bank of Canada. The event was an opportunity for business leaders to interact with Saint Mary's MBA students, and provide their insights and expertise on various subjects.

6th Annual Halifax Sci-Tech Expo
March 30-31, 2010
Innovacorp's Lidija Marusic participated in the Halifax Sci-Tech Expo, an annual event that is part of a system of regional science fairs that encourages students in grades seven through twelve to be creative, inventive and innovative in a science discipline of their choosing.

Capacity, Capability, Challenges – Cape Breton University
March 26, 2010
Innovacorp’s Jennifer Robichaud joined a human resources panel at Cape Breton University’s Shannon School of Business and the Small Business Development Centre. The session was called Capacity, Capability, Challenges  – Human Resources in Small Business. Jennifer and four other human resources experts each presented for 20 minutes, followed by a Q&A session.

Business Over Breakfast: Marketing Panel - What's Your Strategy?
March 26, 2010
Pierrette d’Entremont of Pida Infant & Maternity Products Ltd., Josh Hansen of Via Web Media, Mike Carter of Tri-Star Avid Media and Gerry Curry of Curry Systems and Consulting, shared their marketing insights, online strategies and tips for success. For more information visit http://innovacorp.ca/business-over-breakfast-marketing-panel-whats-your-strategy.

Business Over Breakfast: The Role of Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards for Start-Ups
March 25, 2010
Ross Finlay, co-founder and director of the First Angel Network, Patrick Keefe, investment manager with Innovacorp, and Dan MacDonald shared their viewpoints on types of board structure, when to implement them, and how to make them successful. For more information visit http://innovacorp.ca/business-over-breakfast-boards-directors-advisory-b....

Dalhousie University Faculty of Management Class Presentation
March 4, 2010
Innovacorp's Dan MacDonald presented to a commerce class at Dalhousie University on the topic of international business.

Dalhousie University New Venture Creation Class Presentation
March 3, 2010
Innovacorp's Ben Forcier presented to a new venture creation/entrepreneurship class at Dalhousie University on the topic of venture capital.

Business Over Breakfast: Software Product and Service Pricing and Packaging Strategies
February 24, 2010
Pricing and packaging can be daunting at the best of times, but it’s especially complicated for early stage software product and/or service companies. Pricing and packaging affects company image, consumer take up and churn behavior, and of course, revenue and profits. Patrick Hankinson, director of marketing for Tether, Matthew Doucette, co-founder of Xona Games, and Duncan Enman, founder of Can Stock Photo discussed the logic of their pricing strategies and what they have learned about pricing’s impact on top and bottom line growth. Click here to learn more.

Innovacorp I-3 Technology Start-Up Competition Awards Reception
February 9, 2010
On February 9, 2010, Innovacorp hosted the I-3 Technology Start-Up Competition awards reception, an upbeat, fast-paced event that celebrated innovation and entrepreneurship in Nova Scotia. Tether was announced as the provincial winner of the competition, and all 10 1st and 2nd place zone winners were profiled through video vignettes. The event featured special guest speakers Premier Darrell Dexter and Innovacorp board chair Dr. Jacquelyn Thayer Scott.
If you were unable to attend the event, or even if you were there, and would like to see how the evening unfolded, visit http://innovacorp.ca/url/tk0hu5a to watch a video recording of the awards presentation.

Mount Saint Vincent University Student Business and Tourism Conference
February 5, 2010
Innovacorp's Dan MacDonald was the luncheon speaker at Mount Saint Vincent's 2010 Student Business and Tourism conference, Leadership, Growth & Effectiveness: A Connected Circle. Dan's presentation focused on innovation and leadership. Click here to read Dan's speech from the event, attended by almost 300 business, marketing and public relations students from MSVU and NSCC, with panels made up of business leaders from around the province.

Brains for Change
January 23-24, 2010
Innovacorp's Dan MacDonald participated in a panel at Brains for Change, a conference to identify and articulate student priorities for the future of the university, hosted by the Dalhousie University Student Union. Dan discussed the commercialization process of science and technological innovation to help inspire students to think of how their research can lead to meaningful future
careers.

Business Over Breakfast - Outlook 2010: The recession is over! Or is it? What now?
January 21, 2010
Some analysts are saying the recession is over and the economy is on track for a full recovery. Or is it? What do you do now? How do you come off what is arguably the worst economic year in two generations? Do you come out of the gate swinging? Do you hunker down and remain extra cautious for another year? What did 2009 teach you? Did you make decisions about spending or hiring that will help you post-recession? Has the downturn changed your industry, your customers, your competitive landscape? Robert Orr, president & CEO of Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd., Brian Lowe, vice president of Immunovaccine Inc., Saeed El-Darahali, president & CEO of SimplyCast, Roland Swift, president of MorSwift Machines Inc., and panel moderator Dan MacDonald, looked back at the challenges they faced in 2009 and shared their thoughts and strategies for the months ahead. For more information visit http://innovacorp.ca/bob-recession.

Enterprize 2010
January 15, 2010
Representatives from Innovacorp participated as judges in Enterprize 2010, hosted by the Dalhousie Faculty of Management's Norman Newman Centre for Entrepreneurship. Innovacorp also participated in the Griffon's Den Venture Capital panel at the event.The business plan competition for students ran in conjunction with the Enterprize Atlantic 2010 Business Conference. For more information visit http://entrepreneurship.dal.ca/Enterprize%20Atlantic%202010/.

30,000ft to 3,000ft: The BioCommons Proposition, Vital Partnerships and Services
December 14, 2009
Dan MacDonald presented Innovacorp's High Performance Incubation (HPi)TM business model to stakeholders at an event hosted by the champions of PEI BioCommons, a business incubation facility for high potential life sciences companies that is planned for construction in PEI. Dan joined panelists Dave Smardon of BioEnterprise in Ontario, Barry Stickings of BioCity Nottingham in the UK and Marting Yuill from ORIC in British Columbia. The event took place at the UPEI School of Business. The BioCommons is expected to officially open in the fall of 2011.

Driving Progress and Driving Results through Business Innovation - An evening with Peter Nicolson, President of the Council of Canadian Academies
December 10, 2009
Innovacorp's Dan MacDonald, along with Stephen Lund, president and CEO of NSBI and Bill Walsh, dean of the NSCC Business School, hosted a group of business leaders for a dinner and discussion with Peter Nicholson, president of the Council of Canadian Academies. The evening discussion focused on Why Canada Falls Short, a report released this spring by the Council of Canadian Academies’ Expert Panel on Business Innovation.

Business Over Breakfast - Exploring the India Opportunity
December 17, 2009
Innovacorp hosted Business Over Breakfast - Exploring the India Opportunity at the Technology Innovation Centre. Carolyn Hatcher, trade commissioner with Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada (DFAIT) and Mausam Kalra, vice president of local search with GenieKnows.com shared their knowledge and firsthand experience about this market and provided tips and insights on how to successfully export products to this growing market. For more information visit http://innovacorp.ca/business-over-breakfast-exploring-india-opportunity.

Atlantic Valuation Conference
November 27, 2009
Innovacorp's Ben Forcier spoke at the Atlantic Valuation Conference at Saint Mary’s University’s Sobey School of Business on November 27. He addressed the audience of participants, made up mostly of students who are or will be in the CFA program and are considering careers in the investment banking sector or are interested in becoming research analysts.

Business Over Breakfast at Innovacorp - Social Media for Entrepreneurs
November 18, 2009
Innovacorp hosted Business Over Breakfast - Social Media for Entrepreneurs at the Nova Scotia Community College Dartmouth Waterfront Campus, with online marketing expert Jeff White, principal with Brightwhite Design (www.brightwhite.ca) and Joel Kelly, digital strategist with CCL Group (www.cclgroup.ca), as they discussed the social media phenomenon and how it is already affecting how business is done. To listen to the event visit http://innovacorp.ca/business-over-breakfast-social-media-entrepreneurs.

Demo Hub for Entrepreneurs
November 16, 2009
As part of Entrepreneurship Week, Innovacorp's Dan MacDonald participated in Demo Hub at the HalifaxHub (www.thehubhalifax.ca). Dan discussed “How to Prepare a good pitch."

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nova Scotia Practitioners' Forum
October 29, 2009
Innovacorp's Dan MacDonald spoke at the ICANS Practitioners' Forum in Truro, Nova Scotia. During his presentation, Dan discussed Innovacorp's HPi business model and how Nova Scotian accountants can assist their clients in benefitting from Innovacorp's services.

Power of Green Conference
October 21, 2009
Innovacorp's Dan MacDonald moderated a panel focusing on “The valuable link between innovation and sustainability,” featuring insights from Jean-Paul Deveau, President, Acadian Seaplants; Peter Allen, President, Thermo Dynamics; and Robert Niven, President, Carbon Sense Solutions. The Power of Green Conference, held in Halifax, also featured excellent internationally recognized keynote speakers. For more information visit http://www.thepowerofgreen.ca/.