Innovation Showcase demonstrates how to transform local economy

A symposium designed to teach investors, researchers and the public about commercial-ready research that can create jobs and spur economic development in southern Ontario will be held June 5 and 6 at McMaster University.

The two-day showcase will highlight the research coming out of McMaster, and will connect researchers with business people and investors who can help commercialize discoveries.

“The Innovation Showcase, along with our recently expanded McMaster Industry Liaison Office and the McMaster Innovation Park, demonstrates that McMaster is eager to engage the business and research in finding new streams of economic development,” says Mo Elbestawi, McMaster's vice-president, research and international affairs.

Keynote speaker Aris Melissaratos, a former secretary of Maryland's Department of Business and Economic Development, will share the Multi-Path Approach to Commercializing Research that Johns Hopkins University uses in Baltimore.

“Mr. Melissaratos' hands-on experience in the industry, government and university sectors has given him incredible insight into the most practical and effective ways to commercialize research for economic development purposes,” says Elbestawi.

Melissaratos will speak June 5 at 8:45 a.m. in Convocation Hall. His talk will be followed by Canadian astronaut Dave Williams, who will introduce medical robotic research that is ready to be taken to market.

The showcase will also feature presentations from McMaster researchers about commercialization-ready technologies, how investors can fund start-up companies, and funding commercial enterprises.

A full conference scheduled can be found at milo.mcmaster.ca/showcase.