Brain power When it comes to intellectual capital, New Brunswick is in the know

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1 FOCUS NB Brain power When it comes to intellectual capital, New Brunswick is in the know A strong knowledge sector is a true sign of an economy s vibrancy. Knowledge industry jobs are typically higher-pay positions and help support the growth of other sectors. The knowledge economy also supplies a vitality and excitement that is essential for attracting outside talent, especially younger workers. Picturesque Edmundston is a magnet for knowledge workers. Photo credit: Digiphoto Edmundston, a city of 17,000 people nestled in the province s northwest, near the Quebec and Maine borders, proves that knowledge industries can grow in rural areas. While a pulp mill still stands proudly downtown, Edmundston s economy has greatly diversified over the past 20 years, explains Mayor Cyrille Simard. He points to a modern Université de Moncton campus and a newly constructed New Brunswick Community College. Both are near the francophone high school, sports pavilion, and a new $21-million community amphitheatre, which is under construction. This entire area, with its institutions and sports, cultural and community facilities, is called Edupôle, Simard says proudly. The city also boasts the Northern Hardwoods Research Institute, which is the result of an innovative partnership between the private forest sector, governments, and Université de Moncton. Edmundston is also home to The Hive, a government-funded incubator program for New Brunswick immigrants and new entrepreneurs. The Hive is already producing new businesses. The result is a city punching above its weight in the knowledge sector. In today s ever-changing world, the knowledge industry has become a key factor for sustainable economic development and competitive advantage, Simard says. We can no longer rely on natural resources to grow our economy. A shift toward a knowledge economy is a road to better sustainable economic growth, prosperity and a better quality of life. Another important chapter in that story involves the province s valuable and growing bioscience sector. The number of bioscience companies in New Brunswick has tripled in 68 Atlantic Business Magazine January/February 2017 SUPPORTED CONTENT

2 the last decade, and the industry has seen $100 million invested in major projects since Central to that growth is BioNB, a not-for-profit organization that supports the commercialization of bioscience. BioNB s team of science and business professionals help entrepreneurs turn scientific technology into business opportunities, in industries such as forestry, agriculture, aquaculture, marine, life sciences, and medical technology. BioNB s Virtual Incubator Program, for example, helps evaluate an entrepreneur s technology, management, market, and financial readiness. That assessment is used to create a program for moving the entrepreneur to commercial success. Given the province s history in traditional industries like forestry, agriculture and fisheries, we have unique physical and research assets that set us apart, explains Meaghan Seagrave, BioNB s executive director. She points to the 14 federal, provincial and private bio-based research institutes located in the province. Multi-national companies looking at setting up shop in the province can benefit from immediate access to phenomenal research and development expertise at any one of these institutes or facilities, she adds. We have all the pieces of the puzzle: an abundance of natural resources, the R&D talent to support research initiatives and a pipeline of talent coming from our academic institutions. Book Your Getaway Now! NEW BRUNSWICK BIoSCIENCE IS WhERE ThE action IS (506) (506) (506) (506) (506) Investors are shifting their investment focus to bio Bio venture investments have outperformed IT venture investments in the past decade Life sciences investments see TWICE the amount of high value exits than IT BioNB promotes commercial bioscience ventures through coaching, networking, community building and navigating access to funding. SUPPORTED CONTENT ThE # of NB BIo CompaNIES has TRIpLEd IN ThE LaST decade Investment-ready bioscience companies in New Brunswick are seeking partnerships! Learn about investment opportunities in bioscience at BIONB.org/invest atlanticbusinessmagazine.com Atlantic Business Magazine 69

3 E ducation is at the heart of any strong knowledge sector. With its world-class universities and education programs, New Brunswick is no exception. Central in that education landscape is the University of New Brunswick, the oldest English-language university in Canada. At UNB s faculty of business administration in Fredericton, a variety of programs (including four different MBA programs) are helping to train and prepare the next generation of skilled entrepreneurs, managers, and business leaders. Duncan McCormick chose UNB Fredericton s Many programs offer experienmba program because of his interest in entrepreneurship; as a leader in the Activator tial learning, where students learn program he is helping to launch a startup. by working with businesses and non-profits. For example, there s a year-long course where students Venture Assessment course. The interested in finance manage the New Brunswick Innovation FoundaStudent Investment Fund, a real tion teaches this innovative course, pension fund on loan from Vestcor allowing students to work side-bycorp. And the students have done side with NBIF staff to assess venexceedingly well: the fund started tures for possible investment. Most at $1 million and is now worth $8.5 of the entrepreneurship courses million. teach people how to recognize In the entrepreneurship concenideas, analyze markets, write busiunb_busadminmba_atlbusdec_halfpgbleedfin.pdf :51 PM tration, students can take part in the ness plans, pitch to investors, but this course teaches them to see ventures and opportunities from the perspective of investors, explains Duncan McCormick, a second year MBA student who is also a leader in the Activator program. He will be taking the Venture Assessment course next term. The Activator Program pairs entrepreneurship students with entrepreneurs or inventors. The students lead the business from idea to launch as they take a series of entrepreneurship courses. At least one business is launched in the program every year, and those companies have raised millions of dollars in equity financing and generated millions in sales. The core component of UNB s business programs provide students with a toolkit that they can use to launch businesses, create opportunities for themselves and others, or make existing businesses thrive in the face of changing trends and different challenges, McCormick adds. That approach has made UNB a leader in innovative business education. DISCOVER YOUR POTENTIAL C M An MBA from UNB Fredericton combines rigorous academic study with real-life business challenges that prepare you for strategic thinking, effective collaboration, professional presentation and decisive action. Y CM MY CY CMY K Our programs offer flexibility, full-time or part-time study options, relevant electives, experiential learning options and specialized study tracks that provide a customized experience. SPECIALIZED MBA OPTIONS MBA with Concentration in Entrepreneurship MBA in Sport & Recreation Management MBA/Juris Doctor AVAILABLE ONLY AT UNB FREDERICTON Activator Program Student Investment Fund Lovika Soral, Eng. (MBA Candidate) Engineering gives me technical knowledge and my MBA strengthens my business skills. The combination has broadened my mind and my goals and will bring me expanded opportunities. MBA Office University of New Brunswick Fredericton MBAContact@unb.ca 70 Atlantic Business Magazine January/February 2017 SUPPORTED CONTENT

4 At University of New Brunswick s College of Extended Learning, high quality education and teaching excellence is being exported far beyond New Brunswick s borders. The College of Extended Learning is one of the most robust and comprehensive university continuing education units in Canada. Its goal is to provide higher education opportunities, including professional and personal development programming, for a non-traditional student base. That includes adults, part-time and distance learners, and professionals. Tens of thousands of people from across the country have graduated from our programs, notes Kelly O Brien, the College s director of business development, pointing to British Columbia and Alberta as key markets. Our major growth areas are external to this region and extend across the country and all over the world. The College of Extended Learning team has grown to 70 employees and specializes in developing online courses, with systems and processes to support an online student base. Most recently, the College is developing programs to help combat mental health issues in the workplace. O Brien notes that mental health issues are costing Canadian businesses a reported $33 billion per year in lost productivity. The issues are significant, and people are starting to realize the need for a proactive approach, he says. That s why the College of Extended Learning is collaborating with people across the country, including mental health leaders, multinational corporations, and national associations A management program for millennials. to assist in the development and delivery of programs to help people cope with stress in their lives and at work. The College of Extended Learning has an opportunity to be a significant player in this space, O Brien says. In turn, the College will continue to grow its position as a Canadian education leader. The knowledge industry is a key economic driver for this region, O Brien adds. Knowledge is an exportable and transferable product that crosses every border. Knowledge is an exportable and transferable product that crosses every border. Kelly O Brien director of business development UNB College of Extended Learning CERTIFICATE IN MANAGEMENT ESSENTIALS 100% ONLINE! A SELF-PACED FORMAT THAT FITS YOUR SCHEDULE LEARN MORE TOLL FREE cmeinfo@unb.ca SUPPORTED CONTENT atlanticbusinessmagazine.com Atlantic Business Magazine 71

5 New Brunswick communities are also passionately leading the charge in expanding the province s knowledge industry. There s no better example than in Fredericton, the capital, with the impressive work being done by Ignite Fredericton, an economic development agency and steward of the community s Vision 2020 Economic Development Strategy. Ignite Fredericton s mission is to fuel entrepreneurs with the resources they need to create economic growth. The ultimate goal is to make Fredericton the startup capital of Canada. Among the agency s key roles are: attracting investment and talent, developing population growth strategies, and readying companies for export and growth. The agency works in tandem with two other key organizations: Planet Hatch, a business accelerator that provides startup services, coaching and mentoring, and collaboration space; and Knowledge Park, which is New Brunswick s only technology and research park and a clustering environment for knowledge-based companies. The result is a hub of entrepreneurship in the capital region. And their combined efforts have already delivered impressive results: since January 2015, more than 70 startups have formed, 410 direct jobs have been created (along with 156 indirect jobs), and four major investments have been attracted to the city. The knowledge industry is a key driver of our economy, explains Laurie Guthrie, an economic development and marketing specialist with Ignite Fredericton. Guthrie notes that the seeds for Fredericton s knowledge industry growth were planted in 1992, with the City of Fredericton s first economic development strategy, Vision It focused on diversifying the community from a government and university town to a knowledge-based economy. The goal was to become a smart city. In the years since, Fredericton has attained that global brand equity through numerous achievements like being named twice as One of the World s Top 7 Intelligent Communities by the Intelligent Community Forum of New We just launched a first of its kind export acceleration program called Export Igniter, which will help take our export-ready companies to the next level. Laurie Guthrie economic development and marketing specialist Ignite Fredericton York (in 2008 and 2009). The city s most notable initiative was building its own fibre optic network to close the digital divide, and to ensure residents and businesses had the digital infrastructure and connectivity needed to grow. Fredericton also built Canada s first, free wireless network: FredeZone. Fredericton has also been the site of two of Canada s largest tech exits, with Salesforce.com acquiring Radian6 and IBM acquiring Q1 Labs for a combined $1 billion. Ignite Fredericton is building on that legacy. The organization has packaged Fredericton s assets into what it calls the Innovation District, a two-kilometre radius encompassing over 60 research and development organizations. Innovation District is anchored by Knowledge Park and the University of New Brunswick responsible for the output of more than 75 per cent of the province s university-related research. Additionally, Ignite Fredericton is using the Smart Grid project currently being developed by NB Power and Siemens as a case study for marketing its Digital Product Development Living Lab model (DPDLL). The DPDLL packages the assets of Ignite Fredericton (talent, research, digital infrastructure) and regional market attributes to attract investment. And Guthrie says there s much more being developed to boost Fredericton s knowledge sector. We absolutely anticipate more growth, she says enthusiastically. We just launched a first of its kind export acceleration program called Export Igniter, which will help take our export-ready companies to the next level. We are working on some exciting initiatives, she adds, and there will be more news to come in 2017! 72 Atlantic Business Magazine January/February 2017 SUPPORTED CONTENT

6 Open Networks, Technology, and Data Accelerator Programs 4 Universities & 7 Training Colleges 60+ Research Organizations Leading Digital Infrastructure Representative Market Demographics Small Size, Nimble Decision-Making R&D Support Services and Public-Private Partnerships Sophisticated User Community It s a city-wide brainstorm session. The world moves too fast to innovate in isolation. Linear progression of R&D to commercialization no longer exists. Successful companies are finding ways to collaborate, cross-pollinate, and co-create with partners, researchers and users to produce more effective products and services faster. Fredericton s Digital Product Development Living Lab enables innovators to create and validate their products and services in complex real-world settings with real-world users. With leading digital infrastructure, a willing user community, and one of Canada s best research pools, our living lab eco-system attracts the world s current and future thought leaders in digital products and services. Find out why Siemens Canada, IBM, and Raytheon chose Fredericton s Digital Product Development Living Lab.

7 The knowledge sector is central to the work being done at Opportunities NB, a crown corporation that works to attract and support prospects that grow the economy and create jobs. Opportunities NB provides support services and resources across the province, all aimed at attracting new investment, boosting New Brunswick exports, growing small businesses and startups, and supporting creative entrepreneurs. Opportunities NB is the lead organization for four pillars of the New Brunswick Economic Growth Plan 2016: supporting New Brunswick becoming the hub for Smart Grid development; advancing the growth of the business support services sector; identifying economic opportunities from the legalization of marijuana; and identifying and developing opportunities in the global cybersecurity market a key component of the province s growing and valuable knowledge sector. Last May, New Brunswick secured a Canadian milestone, becoming the first province to launch a comprehensive cybersecurity plan. Opportunities NB is supporting the provincial cybersecurity ecosystem (and in turn growing the province s technology sector) in partnership with New Brunswick s innovative universities and colleges, as well as CFB Gagetown, one of the largest military bases in Canada. Cybersecurity is the fastest growing sub sector of IT and will be for the next 20 years, says Stephen Lund, Opportunities NB s chief executive officer. We recognized this global challenge as an opportunity and became the first province in Canada to launch a comprehensive plan with our partners last spring, said Lund. With the establishment of Cyber NB, we are positioned to take a leadership role in Canada. Lund has 30 years of experience in the financial and economic development industries, first in commercial banking, later as vice-president of Canada s largest national venture capital firm. He notes that the worldwide cybersecurity market is estimated to grow from $77 billion in 2015 to $170 billion by And there s plenty of potential for job growth: approximately 67,000 Cybersecurity is the fastest growing sub sector of IT and will be for the next 20 years. Stephen Lund chief executive officer Opportunities NB of the 192,000 Canadian IT jobs projected by 2021 will be in cybersecurity. Lund and the Opportunities NB team are also working to expand the province s contact centre sector, a knowledge industry that New Brunswick has excelled in for more than two decades. Contact centres are a major employer in New Brunswick: one out of every 20 workers in the province (18,000 people) is employed at almost 90 centres. Contact centres in Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton account for 85 per cent of this employment but centres also exist in Miramichi, Bathurst, Campbellton and Edmundston as well as in many rural communities, providing valuable employment. In all, contact centres contribute more than $1 billion annually to the province s GDP. And Opportunities NB is growing that figure. We are focused on continuing to develop the skilled workforce that companies are looking for. Those people will be critical to the evolution and growth of this sector, Lund explains. One of the goals will be to increase the number of business service centres in stable sectors such as banking, finance, information technology and research. Skilled workers will be needed for jobs such as system management specialists, technical services professionals and customer centre representatives. When pitching New Brunswick to prospective investors, Lund always highlights the province s knowledge sector. Recently he spoke to more than 100 business people in Los Angeles. I told them about our IT ecosystem, including our universities, and how we have been a leader in the IT field in Canada, and about how New Brunswick university graduates are revolutionizing traditional industries around the world. I talked about how we have international companies like IBM and Salesforce and that two Silicon Valley companies chose to set up operations in New Brunswick. I told them that New Brunswick is a leader in Smart Grid, and that we are the epicentre of cybersecurity in Canada, he continues. To say people are impressed with what we have done and are doing is an understatement, he adds. We all need to keep telling our story. FEEDBACK * @OpportunitiesNB; #BrainPower 74 Atlantic Business Magazine January/February 2017 SUPPORTED CONTENT