UWindsor Annual Report 2007/2008

A $600,000 grant from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade will help develop a "virtual incubator" to identify and support new businesses in Windsor and the surrounding region.

Drawing on the expertise of the Odette School of Business, the UWindsor School of Computer Science, the Windsor-Essex Development Commission and local financial institutions, the agency will help researchers bring commercial products to market.

"This initiative plays a key role in creating opportunities for our local economy," said development commission chair Remo Mancini.

Allan Conway, dean of the Odette School of Business, said that technical commercialization is critical for economic success.

"This investment is going to make these partnerships much more viable," he said. He added that the initiative will help researchers determine the viability of their ideas, measure market interest, and identify potential partners in manufacturing or investment.

He said it is being called a "virtual" incubator because it will not provide physical space for new businesses.

"It's more about taking a nascent idea and helping it to grow and flourish," Dr. Conway said. He identified health technologies, computer programing and the auto sector as potential areas of strength. He said he hopes to form a not-for-profit corporation and hire a director.