The Brock LINC Learning, Innovation, Networking and Collaboration
The Brock LINC Learning, Innovation, Networking and Collaboration Universities are a key part of regional innovation ecosystems across Canada. They provide cutting-edge research and train highly qualified personnel (HQP) that drive and incubate new enterprises, and strengthen and grow existing ones. Nowhere is this truer than in Niagara. Brock University has developed the capacities and community partnerships to help Niagara accelerate its transition into a more dynamic, knowledge-based economy. The University’s differentiated mandate focuses on advancing the social and economic development of the region through local partnerships; new forms of transdisciplinary research, its dissemination and commercialization; and a unique learning environment. The Brock Learning, Innovation, Networking and Collaboration Centre — Brock LINC — builds on Brock University’s track record of success in commercialization, entrepreneurship and innovation; transdisciplinary research; and partnership. It will provide 41,000 square feet of new and renovated, flexible, purpose-built space that will significantly expand the University’s capacity to undertake
research in collaboration with community and industry partners, as well as knowledge translation, commercialization and incubation. In turn, the LINC will help to drive social and economic development in Niagara. It will strengthen the impact of Brock’s transdisciplinary research in the community and foster a stronger culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the region. In total, the 41,000 square feet of new and renovated space will be spread over two floors at the main entrance of Brock University’s Schmon Tower, one of the most high-traffic areas of the University, where people are more likely to meet, ideas are more likely to collide and innovations are more likely to take shape. The space will support applied research and development; ideation, planning and incubation; building, training and business services; and capacity building. On the ground floor, there will also be dedicated space for a service hub that will offer a range of information and wayfinding services, as well as informal meeting spaces.
Ideation, Planning and Incubation
Commercialization & Capacity Building
Applied Research & Development
• Start-UP Lab • Proof of Concept Lab • Launch Space
• Advisers, Support Staff, Student Consulting • Training and Conference Space
• Transdisciplinary Collaboratory/Maker Space • Consumer Lab • Digital Scholarship Lab
Applied research and development Transdisciplinary Collaboratory/Maker Space The Transdisciplinary Collaboratory will provide flexible space designed to encourage groups and individuals to come together, while also supporting business- and community-based applied research and development. It will include a wide range of tools to structure activities and to create environments based on the newest principles in collaborative working and problem-solving. These will range from reconfigurable physical furniture to idea boards, multi-touch interactive screens and sound and visual simulators. It will also include state-of-the-art technologies, such as hardware and software, advanced applications, 3D printers with technical support, and a range of turn-key support services provided by professionals and students. By enabling and encouraging combined knowledge-sharing from complementary or even competing disciplines, the Transdisciplinary Collaboratory will place the University’s leading researchers, students and partners in a better position to collaborate and solve real-world problems; translate research insights into solutions, products and services that address real-world needs; and drive innovation in existing organizations.
Consumer Lab The Consumer Lab will support multidisciplinary projects on consumer attitudes and behaviour. Brock University researchers are exploring specific dimensions of technology adoption and consumer behaviour theory behind consumers’ offline purchasing
decisions. This lab will make that research more accessible to Brock researchers and regional companies when they conduct their own market research and launch products. It will provide them with a space where they can explore and utilize best practices and research findings, and where researchers can expand their work with focus groups. Flexible enough to support a range of product and service testing, from digital to winetasting, the consumer lab will accommodate a range of approaches to research, from observation to digital tracking.
Digital Scholarship Lab The Digital Scholarship Lab will give Brock researchers access to the data, tools and knowledge necessary to advance and disseminate their research, work closely with internal and external colleagues and communities, and raise the profile of digital research at the University. The lab will provide data research and statistical support to researchers and innovators, both on and off campus, so that they will be better able to access, use and create data that can help them discover new solutions to real-world problems. It will also offer a range of services that will help researchers and innovators drive their ideas towards the marketplace and into existing organizations, including: research and data consultation, high-performance computing, scholarly communication/research dissemination and preservation, workshops, computing consultation and technical advice, project management for digital research projects, and digitalization services.
Ideation, planning and incubation Start-UP Lab The Start-UP Lab will integrate programs designed to help new entrepreneurs develop their ideas, such as Blueprint, Monster Pitch, Brock Innovation Group, Niagara Youth Entrepreneurship Network and Startup Weekend. This dedicated space will allow these groups to flourish on and off campus. It will provide students with an accessible pathway to Start-UP-Lab-only resources and support to help them reach their milestones.
Proof of Concept Lab The Proof of Concept Lab will provide communal, co-working space where the diverse skills and backgrounds of participants, mentors and staff can be leveraged to support business planning and development. For example, the Mentor Program will be exclusively available to Proof of Concept individuals and teams, who must commit, for 12 weeks, to meeting with their mentor several times per month, and to attend a Mentor-Matching event that will help ensure that each team is appropriately matched with an experienced entrepreneur. Mentors will be selected based on their technical expertise. They will have considerable experience in startup and early-stage technology ventures, and possess significant connections to local companies and investment sources so that they are able to link members to important external networks.
A range of services will also be provided through a just-in-time approach for entrepreneurs, including strategic planning services (reviewing business plans, mentoring on business modelling, interim business management and support), financial services (financial aspects of business plans, key performance indicator support, accessing public and private funding opportunities), a pre-start program (SME-in-a-box services, articles of association, access to incubation space and laboratories, access to established networks) and growth initiatives (distribution, branding, PR).
Launch Space The Launch Space will be available for start-up companies based on a competitive process. It will help them develop and refine their business plans, and to access a sophisticated network of experienced serial entrepreneurs and low cost business services provided by students. As companies develop, they will migrate to rented space or other sites in Niagara’s network of incubators. Typically, they will remain in the launch space for six to eight months with regular reviews to monitor progress.
Commercialization and capacity building Advisers, support staff and student consulting In order to support budding enterprises as well as external organizations, the support service area will house expanded space for mentors, coaches and business services. In addition to tapping into the extensive network of business consultants, lawyers and entrepreneurs who are currently engaged with Brock University, the LINC will also provide space for the Goodman School of Business Consulting Group, which is comprised of MBA and upper-year business students, so that their affordable support service will be more accessible to LINC members.
Training and conference space Training and conference space will provide a range of short training programs, workshops and regular events to support capacity-building. Enterprises will be able to hold meetings with the community, investors, mentors and other enterprises. In addition, Brock will be able to provide training in these facilities for current and developing enterprises.
4,600 sq. ft. of commercialization and capacity building
The Brock LINC is designed to achieve objectives that leverage Brock University’s research strengths to advance the prosperity and health of its community.
Research
Commercialization
Support transdisciplinary research and innovation projects involving faculty, students and partners to solve real-world needs and drive innovation in existing organizations
Expand the University’s capacity to support the commercialization and application of new technologies
Start-ups
HQP
Incubate start-ups and accelerate small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
Develop highly qualified personnel (HQP) with the research, entrepreneurial and practical skills demanded in Niagara and beyond
Contact: Meaghan Rusnell Director, Government and Community Relations T 905 688 5550 x5864 E mrusnell@brocku.ca Dan Dakin Media Relations Officer T 905 688 5550 x5353 E ddakin@brocku.ca