OCETA and The Russell-Mitchell Group, in collaboration with Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and the Ontario government, announced today the upcoming release of a groundbreaking report on Ontario’s Clean Technology Industry. The report, entitled The 2009 OCETA SDTC Cleantech Growth & Go-to-Market Report, will be released in February 2009. It analyzes Ontario’s clean technology industry, and identifies best practices to help Ontario’s clean technology companies improve their go-to-market strategies.
Kevin Jones, president and CEO of OCETA says that “the opportunities for Ontario’s clean technology companies are promising; however, world-class technology alone will not guarantee commercial success. To grow and be profitable, these companies will need sufficient risk and growth capital, top management talent, strong market demand for their innovations, and effective marketing and sales strategies.”
“Ontario’s clean technology companies are rightly recognized for their world-class technologies,” said Céline Bak, partner with The Russell-Mitchell Group. “Now, the success of Ontario’s clean technology industry largely depends on how well these companies market and sell in a highly-competitive global marketplace. Developing marketing and sales capabilities in Ontario’s clean technology companies is a critical next-step in building a thriving clean technology industry in Ontario.”
Dr. Vicky Sharpe, president and CEO of SDTC said, “The success of Canada’s present and future clean technology companies depends in large part on our ability to build robust management capacity to leverage the value of our world-class technologies. We believe that this report will play an important role in highlighting the necessary elements that lead to world-class go-to-market execution.”
“Cleantech is a priority for Ontario. We want to be the best place in the world to turn good ideas into globally competitive businesses and good, green jobs,” said Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson. “That’s why support for cleantech research and companies is a part of Ontario’s $3-billion Innovation Agenda, our government’s commitment to make innovative thinking the driving force of our economy.”
“Innovation – and support for product commercialization – is key to growing our existing businesses faster, and turning the rising global demand for clean energy, renewable fuels and eco-friendly products into new jobs, new industries and new investment for Ontario,” said Ontario Minister of Economic Development Michael Bryant.
The report presents the findings of an extensive study undertaken in the autumn of 2008, where over 60 of Ontario’s leading clean technology companies were surveyed, and 32 CEOs were interviewed about their strategies for growth and their companies’ commercialization capabilities.
The main objectives are to outline the state of commercialization capability of Ontario’s clean technology companies; identify the commercialization best practices of some of Ontario’s most successful firms; and identify any substantial barriers that would inhibit Ontario’s clean technology companies from becoming globally competitive companies.
Fifteen organizations are participating in the report as sponsors and support organizations. These include: Sustainable Development Technology Canada, Ogilvy Renault LLP, MaRS Discovery District, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Export Development Canada, RBC, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, Ontario BioAuto Council, TMX Group Inc., National Angel Capital Organization, Investeco, XPV Capital Corporation, Canada’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Association, and Actual Media.
The report will be officially released at an invitation only launch event in February 2009 in Toronto, Ontario. This will be followed by regional briefing sessions planned for Ottawa, North Toronto, and Kitchener-Waterloo in the spring of 2009.
