Have You Met ... the Innovation and Partnerships team?

They support U of A researchers, startups, spinoffs and entrepreneurs to build and scale companies, by providing resources and programming focused on growth towards commercialization.

innovationpartnershipsteam.jpg

The Innovation and Partnerships team is, from left to right, Aydan Mukhtarli, Claire Kay, David Chang, Savannah Lane and Leanne Petrin. (Photo: Supplied)

To highlight the work that U of A teams do and the impact they make, The Quad has introduced a team version of Have You Met.


Want to learn more about how to bring your research to market? Meet the Innovation and Partnerships team and discover how they connect innovators with resources, foster an entrepreneurial mindset and contribute to a thriving innovation ecosystem at the U of A and beyond.

What does your team do, and what is one way you contribute to the U of A community?

"Our team was created to develop resources for our academic researchers and students to accelerate innovation and commercialization of their work. These resources include strategic partnerships that provide both infrastructure and funding, as well as training for entrepreneurship. Through these activities, we are developing an entrepreneurial mindset throughout our U of A community."
"Our team falls into the Office of the Vice-President (Research and Innovation). Darren Fast, our associate vice-president, is responsible for the Innovation, Knowledge Management and Partnerships portfolio, and oversees both the Technology Transfer and Innovation and Partnerships teams. Tech Transfer deals with the protection of intellectual property and commercialization agreements on behalf of the U of A. Our team deals with researchers who are exploring entrepreneurship."
"Our team helps researchers, startups and entrepreneurs grow and commercialize their companies. We create strategic partnerships with industry and connect innovators with the resources, support and communities needed to turn ideas into real-world products and solutions."
"Our team supports U of A researchers, spinoff companies and entrepreneurs to expand their networks, commercialize their lab-ready products and explore the entrepreneurial landscape."

What is one word you would use to describe your team?

"Agile."
"Collaborative."
"Resourceful."

Who is most impacted by your unit’s work across campus, and how do you support them?

"Graduate students are probably the most impacted by our work because they see their research getting out and being used and know the U of A and our team are there to support them throughout their journey."
"Researchers and earlier-stage startups who are still connected to the U of A are most impacted by what we do. However, a significant portion of my role is to work with innovation assets across the university to understand their strengths and challenges and to ensure we are working collaboratively. So, in that way, our staff are most impacted."

What is your favourite thing about your team?

"Being able to support a wide range of researchers and the variety of expertise and knowledge at the U of A."
"As a newer group, our team is eager to learn and to establish our programs and resources,  increase their impact and build bridges within the university. That is a wonderful and positive space to be in, where ideas are welcomed and collaboration is the common language."
"One of the things I value most is their skill in building meaningful relationships within the community and Edmonton's tech ecosystem, and with various stakeholders. These connections are crucial for driving innovation and transforming ideas into real-world solutions. This collaborative approach encourages creativity and forward thinking and ensures new ventures have the support and resources to succeed, benefiting both the innovators and the broader community."

What is something other departments may not expect your unit to do?

"Other departments may not know that we’re here to support them throughout their journey. While we have specific programming that they can apply to, there is much more to our support system."
"Someone once told me that the university is decentralized in many of its efforts; faculties and departments have built effective ways to operate independently. There are strengths and weaknesses in that, but it has historically reinforced silos. When it comes to providing entrepreneurial support for researchers, I see our team as a facilitator in centralizing those efforts. In such a large organization it can take time for everyone to see that for themselves, but I believe we add something different to the ecosystem. We are still new, so that work is far from complete."
"Other departments may not expect the extent of the entrepreneurial resources that we can connect them to, not only at the U of A but within Alberta’s tech and innovation ecosystem and on a global scale. Whether it is grants, lab space, mentorship, funding, local pitch competitions, opportunities to showcase their innovations/technologies to multinationals, or introductions to investors, we can help leverage networks, partners and meaningful collaborations."

What does “Leading with Purpose” mean to your team, and how do you incorporate it into your daily activities?

"U of A is one of the top post-secondary institutions in the world. To me, leading with purpose means using that leadership position to drive change and impact that we can see and feel in our everyday lives."
"For me, purpose is everything and I genuinely consider that concept almost daily in my work. A lot of what I do involves considering what the university already has, and where needs exist. Everything we do needs to be strongly connected to our purpose, and by keeping that in mind, we can ensure what we are doing adds value to the university.
"We aim to be a resource for change makers, community builders and world leaders; a team that helps innovators create lasting, transformative impacts on people's lives. Through collaborating with researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators and developing partnerships with multinationals, government, industry and stakeholders, we are committed to helping U of A’s vision of solving the world’s toughest challenges."
"With every decision, action and business plan, we consider the impact on the community. From tailoring commercialization programs to forging meaningful partnerships, it is all planned and organized with the community at the centre of the loop."

innovation-partnerships-team.png

About the Innovation and Partnerships team

Based out of the office of the vice-president (Research and Innovation), the Innovation and Partnerships team supports researchers, startups, spinoffs and entrepreneurs to build and scale companies. We connect startups to and deliver entrepreneurship resources and programming focused on growth towards commercialization. Through connecting U of A researchers, post-docs and innovators to the right resources, supports and communities, we help accelerate the speed of ideas and discoveries into tangible real-world products, technologies and solutions.

Team members:

  • David Chang
  • Leanne Pectin
  • Claire Kay
  • Savannah Lane
  • Aydan Mukhtarli