Through the building of strong community partnerships, Welland has many resources to support the innovation, research and development of businesses. Established support networks provide the technology platforms needed to move business forward. Strengths in manufacturing and business services are supported by programs at Niagara College and Brock University. Welland and Niagara have access to the following institutions, incubators, innovation centres and research institutes.
Innovation Research and Development
INNOVATION, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Welland and Niagara are ready to support industry with its world-class post-secondary institutions and research & innovation centre
Research and Innovation
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
Business Development Office & Industry Partnerships – Works closely with Vineland's Research Directors in Horticultural Production Systems, Applied Genomics, Consumer Insights and Robotics & Automation to tailor research and business agreements that are a fit for industry partnerships. The BDO is also charged with aligning business and science interests by facilitating commercialization and technology transfer activities.
Niagara College
Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre – Specializes in engineering design, 3D technologies, lean manufacturing processes and additive manufacturing. Work with Southern Ontario businesses to bring ideas to life, from concept through to developing working prototypes, utilizing leading-edge technology, including equipment and software.
Agriculture & Environmental Technologies Innovation Centre – Works with private sector partners to develop innovative solutions to address today’s challenges in precision agriculture, GIS, computer programming, sustainable food production, plant growth, horticultural practices, greenhouse operations, aquaponics, environmental management and renewable energies.
Food and Beverage Innovation Centre – Provides services such as new recipe development to shelf-life testing and nutritional labelling to support industry innovation and commercialization of new products and processes.
Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) – A network of colleges and one university, who, through their respective Research and Innovation Centres, are collaborating with small- and medium-sized companies to turn innovations into commercialized products.
Productivity and Innovation Lab (Pi-Lab) – Help Canadian Enterprises achieve sustainable productivity gains and cultivate liaison between government, academia, and industry.
Brock University
Advanced Biomanufacturing Centre – Brings together expertise in biology and chemistry to uniquely tackle challenges.
Centre for Sport Capacity – A hub for sport management research, student experiential learning, and practical support to sport organizations in Niagara Region and across Canada.
Centre for Business Analytics – Brings together faculty from various disciplines across the University, as well as alumni and industry partners, to support an interdisciplinary team of data analytics researchers and their data analytics programs.
Environmental Sustainability Research Centre – A transformative and creative transdisciplinary community dedicated to research and education advancing environmental sustainability locally and globally.
Business Development, Support and Entrepreneurship
Innovate Niagara – Supports innovative entrepreneurs and companies from a variety of industries to help them start, grow and thrive.
Educational Research & Innovation Hub (iHub) – ihub is the bridge between educational technology innovation and the K-12 public education classroom. Connecting and collaborating to innovate the modern education experience.
ncTakeOff – Niagara College’s hub for entrepreneurship awareness, education & acceleration.
Brock LINC – A diverse community that crosses all disciplines, faculties and the private sector – a place for “collisions” of bright minds where students, alumni, researchers, and regional innovators are encouraged to interact.
Enterprise Centre – Has the information, resources and tools entrepreneurs need to start and grow a business.
Venture Niagara – Provides financing to small businesses and are active in economic development projects to support and strengthen communities.
