Universities to Explore Big Ideas for Small and Medium Businesses

WATERLOO, ON--(Marketwired - November 11, 2014) - Waterloo's universities will combine this week with the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce to showcase the benefits for small- and medium-sized businesses in working with universities.

At an event at the Waterloo Inn on Thursday, the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University will shine a spotlight on private-sector partnerships in Waterloo Region. The event will demonstrate how small and medium sized businesses can benefit from cutting-edge research and technology, innovation, knowledge transfer, and student talent at universities.

In partnership with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, Big Ideas for Better Business is one of many sessions taking place across the country from November 8 to 16 as part of a national university open house.

"There is a misconception amongst some businesses that universities only work with big corporations, but here in Waterloo Region our universities are helping businesses of all sizes to grow and thrive," said Ian McLean, president and CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. "Small businesses face challenges every day and our universities are helping them address some of those challenges. Big Ideas for Better Business will help our government and industry partners explore the ways in which businesses and academia are working together to drive prosperity for the region and for Canada."

Date: Thursday, November 13, 2014
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Waterloo Inn, 475 King St N, Waterloo, ON N2J 2Z5

The event will feature remarks from Peter Braid, MP for Kitchener Waterloo, on the importance of university talent and resources in regional and national economic development. Philip Landon, director partnerships and programs for the AUCC, will also speak.

The main feature of the event is a panel discussion exploring ways that small- and medium-sized businesses can work successfully with universities on research projects to drive innovation and how cooperative education partnerships can contribute to the growth of businesses. Panelists include Jim Moss, Chief Happiness Officer at Plasticity Labs and Nathan Pike, VP and General Manager of GCP Industrial.