Cleantech Commons “leading the growth of the local clean technology scene”
A recent edition of “Perspective” magazine says that as the world transitions to a clean growth economy, Peterborough is well-positioned to contribute to that shift.
The community of Peterborough, it writes, is home to rich natural resources, leading educational institutions, and a well-equipped business and innovation landscape.
See the article on Page 32 of Perspective Magazine here!
And leading the growth of the local clean technology scene is Cleantech Commons at Trent University, a cleantech-focused research and technology park.
This article follows the recent publication of “Where cleantech innovation abounds” by Invest Ontario, which writes that “the Cleantech Commons research and innovation park at Ontario’s Trent University, is a growing hub for driving innovation and commercialization in clean, green and low/zero-carbon technology.”
Created on Trent University’s main campus and designed to be a point of convergence for the academic community with startups, established businesses, and government research partners, Cleantech Commons is focused on advancing clean, green, zero-carbon, and sustainable technology research, innovation, commercialization & entrepreneurship.
Peterborough’s growing cleantech innovation cluster benefits from strong connections to global leaders in the cleantech sector, including SGS Canada, Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments, Rolls-Royce Naval Marine Canada, Aclarus Ozone Solutions, and Rainmaker Worldwide – all of which have operations in Peterborough.
The city is also home to world-class research facilities that are actively partnering with local cleantech businesses and start-ups. This includes Trent University and Fleming College – and, within a short drive, Ontario Tech University
Building on these connections, Cleantech Commons is a hub that is specifically designed to boost collaboration to get new technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace and to generate new intellectual property.
This has been shown to happen better when firms are located close to a research university. (Charles, Constantin, June 08, 2021).
Cleantech Commons offers startups, growth companies, and established businesses in the cleantech sector an opportunity to co-locate with the academic and research expertise of Trent University, one of Canada’s leading environmental academic institutions, to drive collaboration, discovery and innovation for a greener world.
Peterborough is also home to a variety of cleantech programming from both local and nearby educational institutions. In addition to offering top programming, these educational institutions are key players in various innovative projects and incubator programming that support the growth of the sector.
In addition, Peterborough is geographically proximate to major educational and commercial hubs in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Montreal, and the United States.
Trent University
Trent University has one of the largest Environmental & Life Sciences graduate programs in Canada, with over 175 students graduating per year. This provides a huge source of market-ready graduates for full-time work or students looking for co-op programs and undergraduate student internships.
Trent’s Environmental & Life Sciences program is one of the oldest thesis research-based environmental graduate programs in Canada, and one of the top programs of its type in the country. 94% of its students obtain employment between 6 months to 1 year after graduation.
The university houses several Environmental & Life science Research Centres which provide opportunities for students to undertake research using 14 world-class facilities.
Trent University is also a key partner in several innovative projects pushing the envelope in cleantech innovation. These include the Cleantech Commons research park, The Cube business incubator, and the Trent Makerspace, a world-class lab facility for cleantech companies to produce, test, and commercialize IP-based products.
Fleming College
Fleming College’s School of Environmental and Natural Resources Sciences and School of Trades and Technology offers unique programming such as an environmental technician diploma and advanced water systems operations and management certificates. Many programs offer part-time and/or co-op options.
Fleming College’s internationally recognized Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies is a world-renowned institute for alternative wastewater treatment expertise, research, and resources. CAWT provides applied research and technology development services to the private sector, government and non-governmental agencies, and universities, as well as Water Operator and
Wastewater Operator Training for students.
Canada’s budget 2021 proposes to provide $17.6 billion toward a green recovery. Peterborough is well-positioned to leverage Canada’s commitment to making investments in clean technology that lay the groundwork for a stronger, greener, and more sustainable economy.
Cleantech Commons
Cleantech Commons research park is all about:
- Creating collaborative opportunities to positively impact the future
- Building the foundations for a hotbed of economic and knowledge-based cleantech innovation
- Leveraging the talents of our region’s skilled graduates and highly educated workforce
- Fostering the startup spirit, and
- Championing entrepreneurial ambitions.
That includes providing a collaboration hub for students, academics, entrepreneurs, and businesses to explore new ideas, develop prototype designs, and create new cleantech products and services.
The research park is a place for clean technology businesses to work alongside Trent’s students and world-class researchers to explore practical solutions to global energy, environmental, and climate challenges.
Offering a combination of:
- value-added services,
- specialized facilities,
- business and professional service expertise,
- mentorship,
- incubation programming,
- experiential learning opportunities,
- co-working spaces for aspiring student entrepreneurs, and
- commercialization training for researchers,
Cleantech Commons is focused on
- transitioning cutting-edge research breakthroughs to the global market,
- turning research into practical applications and commercial outcomes,
- enhancing economic growth and social impact,
- tackling pressing societal challenges, and
- shaping the green economy of the future.
Ours is indeed a community where innovation is able to flourish, enduring partnerships are created, and creative collaborations begin.
If Cleantech Commons sounds like a place you would like your company to call home, contact Martin Yuill at (+1) 705.748.1011 ext. 6036 for a confidential discussion or visit www.cleantechcommons.ca to find out more.
If you are interested in doing business in Peterborough & the Kawarthas region, contact Suzanne McCrimmon, Director of Business Development for Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development at (+1) 705-872-6802 or visit www.peterboroughed.ca