Our Approach

GreenCentre Canada develops early stage technologies originating from Canada’s academic research institutions.

Canada ranks at the top amongst OECD nations in its ability to generate research discoveries. Still, our track record in bringing these innovations to market is less successful. This is particularly true for Green Chemistry discoveries.  Until recently, the specialized infrastructure, access to significant commercialization capital and industry-savvy business development and commercialization managers that are needed to advance Green Chemistry discoveries have been beyond the reach of Canada’s academic researchers and research institutions.  Without these resources, many Canadian breakthrough technologies are left marooned at an early stage of development.

To address this commercialization gap, GreenCentre offers three strategic programs:

Green Academic Commercialization Program – to  identify, develop and commercialize Green Chemistry technologies originating from Canada’s academic research institutions.

This program is open to early stage technologies that have advanced beyond the capabilities of the host institution’s research labs.

Solicited and unsolicited technologies enter the centre for a 90-day, non-exclusive review period. Technologies are assessed for novelty, technical viability and intellectual property position. 

Candidate technologies are reviewed and recommended for acceptance by the centre’s Screening Committee. Recommendations will be reviewed bimonthly.

Once a technology is accepted, GreenCentre will formally secure commercialization rights by obtaining an exclusive, world-wide license with the technology’s host institution.

Researchers and institutions share in returns generated by commercialized technologies. They will also share in any returns resulting from GreenCentre-led improvements to their technologies.

Chemical Industry Mobilization Program – to  create a new kind of market “pull” by actively engaging industry sponsors in assessing and developing Green Chemistry discoveries.

In exchange for their financial support and participation in governance, GCC industrial stakeholders can engage the centre in fee-for-service development contracts.

Industrial partners will be able to leverage their development dollars through various provincial and federal funding programs and use the centre as a “one-stop-shop” to Ontario’s Green Chemistry expertise.

SME Commercialization Fund -- a funding program to support  Ontario-based, chemistry-driven SME commercialization activities.

The specialized equipment and expertise need to get a product or service to market is often outside the reach of these knowledge-based organizations. To ensure the prosperity of this sector in Ontario, the centre will make its services, infrastructure and expertise available on an entirely cost-recovery model. GreenCentre will also manage a funding program to support Ontario-based SME activities such as Green assessment, product and application development, scale-up manufacturing and targeted basic research in support of commercialization.