Incubators and accelerators play a pivotal role in driving the global economy—and even quality of life—forward.
By building a hub that is both physically proximate to some of the world’s leading research institutes, investment players, and even government resources, the MaRS Discovery District stands apart, offering startups and founders unprecedented access to the stakeholders they need to see their world-changing ideas take flight.
On this episode of What The Tech, we welcome Ian McCarter, the Director of Corporate Innovation at MaRS Discovery District. MaRS Discovery District helps Canadian startups succeed so they can solve our toughest problems in areas like climate, health and the economy. As North America’s largest urban innovation hub and a registered charity, MaRS provides direct support for more than 1,200 ventures, builds communities of innovators within its 1.5 million square feet of lab and office space and beyond, and spurs the adoption of new solutions — in Canada and around the world.
In Ian’s role, he’s focused on creating meaningful, economic relationships between Canadian ventures and globally significant early adopters of innovation. In particular, Ian has been helping energy, mobility, real estate, mining, construction, and heavy industry partners inject Canadian innovation into their net-zero journey.
Currently, this mandate includes the Mobility Unlimited Hub, which helps early-stage personal mobility companies bring their products and services to the people who need them most. Through a cohort-based program, startups are connected to the resources, talent and know-how needed to commercialize their innovations so that they can help more people put their goals and dreams in motion.
I’m excited to pick Ian’s brain on what it takes to drive innovation in the current market, dig into what urban innovation looks like, and in particular how important community—in it’s many definitions—is to building a successful, innovative business.
Boast AI accelerates the success of innovative businesses globally with software that integrates financial, payroll, and engineering data into a single platform of R&D intelligence.
What is preventing innovation in the active mobility space?
Many different institutions in and around Toronto—including Sheridan College —are driving incredible advancements around advanced mobility technologies. In the past, however, there was a divide between research and development initiatives driving mobility technology forward and the actual production resources necessary to bring new solutions to market.
At MaRS Discovery District and the Mobility Unlimited Hub, Ian and his team are helping mobility projects access the resources they need to productionalize, scale and bring these pivotal solutions to the individuals who need them most.
At MaRS Discovery District, Ian works with large multi-national organizations who recognize the amazing innovation taking place in Toronto—especially around net zero and cleantech—placing his team at the center of government, academia, investment, venture capital and all the community resources that startups need to achieve growth and scale through community.
Stream the full episode on Boast’s YouTube channel here.
To learn how you can leverage your unique R&D to drive more innovation and capture funding to fuel your growth, talk to an expert from Boast today.
