This keynote presentation was given at the Community Innovation Forum: Knowledge in Action on May 24th, 2011 in Peterborough, Ontario. The presentation highlighted how city-regions less that 250,000 can actively contribute to the economic and social prosperity of a country. Smaller regions have different structural, business, and cultural nuances and it is essential to understand how to leverage those assets and drive forward the innovation agenda.

1. March 24th 2011!

2. Because innovation is a key to our
future economic and social success,
we need to inject more urgency
into our collective attention to the
issue
Innovation Next; Public Policy Forum, 2011
pg 2

3. We are loosing
ground
Canada receive a D grade and ranks 14th out of 17 countries.
The Canadian economy remains a below-average performer on
its capacity to innovate.
How Canada Performs: A Report Card on Canada
February 2010
On innovation factors, which measures business sophistication
and innovation, Canada s ranking fell two spots from 12th in 2009
to 14th in 2010. Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011
September 2010
GDP per capita - a measure of the value created by workers and
firms in Canada from the human, physical, and natural resources in
the country - trailed the US by $9,300 or 17 percent in 2009.
Report on Canada Beyond the Recovery
June 2010

4. Competing is one thing…
Winning
is another!

5. How do we
Compete?
At an average of only 3.3 people per sq km,
Canada has one of the lowest population
densities in the world.

6. Our hub cities are
Isolated
Edmonton
Calgary
Vancouver Saskatoon
Québec City
Halifax
Ottawa
Winnipeg
Montréal
Waterloo
London Hamilton
Toronto

7. Big Country
but few people…
33
Million
People
VS.
300
Million
1.1
Billion
1.3
Billion

8. Competing is one thing…
Winning
is another!
So how do we
Win?

9. Healthy Economy
Strong Resource Base
Productive Science Base
Strong Education System
Talented and Skilled Workforce
Livable Communities
Multicultural Civil Society

10. Session focuses on area s strengths
About 50 attend meeting on strategic planning
By Sarah Deeth, Examiner Staff Writer, posted 2 years ago
A brainstorming session on how to capitalize on the area s greatest strengths was held at the Peterborough Public Library
on Aylmer Street yesterday morning.
A strategic plan is a blueprint the organization will use to capitalize on the region s best opportunities to bring
wealth and jobs to the area.
People come to Peterborough and they stay for the people, she said. It was a really optimistic
experience.
Participants were put into groups and each group offered a myriad of suggestions outlining the advantages
the area has.
One group focused on water, Fell said, a resource that fuels everything from tourism to research at the Innovation
Cluster.
Another suggestion focused on zoomers, baby boomers who have a lot of zip,
Whittington said.
Those residents have a lot of business and life experience, Fell said.
It s a real strength to have, Fell said.

11. What is the role of the local
community in driving
innovation?

13. MaRS helps to create successful
Mission global businesses from Canada s
science and technology
Early stage science and technology
Who we
ventures and innovative social purpose
Serve
businesses
Measure Job and wealth creation for the
of Success economy

15. MaRS Advisory
Services
Full - Time Part - Time Volunteers Internship Corporate
A single, integrated pool of
advisors offering free
consultative services to an
array of emerging ventures

16. • MaRS volunteer advisors account for 20% to 30%
of total advisory hours
• Engagement of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and
subject matter experts to ensure comprehensive
skill sets to meet our client s needs
• Volunteers become MaRS ambassadors in the
community, both domestic and international,
creating an engaged and motivated group
working together doing interesting work 16

17. Culture of
Entrepreneurship

18. 1. Give something back – educating,
advising, mentoring, and parenting young companies
is inspirational
2. Connect and network with other like-minded
people…helps drives the culture of entrepreneurship
3. Love and be inspired by innovation
and attempt to answer what s next?

19. Community volunteers
Service providers
Capital connections
Corporate and business
Academic and government

20. Innovation is a big challenge.
It s not meant to be easy.
Contributing at the local level and
participating in a broader national
virtual network is the only
way we can mobilize our country to
even hope to win

21. Don Duval
Vice President, Business Services
MaRS Discovery District
dduval@marsdd.com
Twitter: don_duval