Wavefront to Open National Centre of Excellence for Wireless Commercialization
Vancouver’s launching a new national Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) for wireless technologies in partnership with the Government of Canada.
Beginning in 2011 and over the next five years, the new Wavefront Wireless Commercialization Centre (WWCC) will receive $11.6 Million in federal funding through the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Program in addition to $11 Million in cash and in-kind support that Wavefront’s partners in industry, academia and government have pledged to date.
The WWCC will have a national focus, driving the growth of Canadian wireless companies, enhancing their global competitiveness and productivity, and creating high value technology and jobs.
Industry partners include Sierra Wireless, Ericsson, Nokia, Orange and others who have committed funds and resources to the WWCC. In addition, 27 leading Canadian universities from coast to coast will be partnering with the WWCC.
Regular Techvibes readers will recognize the Wavefront name as we have been published a weekly feature called Wavefront Wireless Wednesday since September.
Wavefront was established in 2007 and after studying other global wireless clusters and adopting best-of-breed commercialization services, launched its Vancouver-based facility in August 2009. Wavefront has already proven its model for accelerated commercialization through its assistance to more than 200 companies, developing relationships with 20 partners globally, and assisting 21 early-stage wireless companies in its incubation program.
The WWCC model will give Wavefront the opportunity to expand its successful commercialization model to benefit all of Canada’s wireless research and technology clusters.