This article by David Crane references the Impact Group's paper "Understanding the Disappearance of Early-stage and Start-up R&D Performing Firms" to talk about what's wrong with our innovation/knowledge economy. Among many things, our VC environment is stunted and our businesses should work more closely with customers on addressing their needs rather than focussing on new technology. Read the original white paper at http://www.impactg.com/pdf/disappearanceofstartupsandearlystagefirms.pdf The article also references the paper by the Council of Canadian Academies which urged more business innovation. http://www.scienceadvice.ca/innovation.html

This article discusses at a paper contending that Canada is wasting the productive lives of "many brilliant and courageous knowledge workers, and losing large sums of money doing it." Read the original white paper at http://www.impactg.com/pdf/disappearanceofstartupsandearlystagefirms.pdf

The Impact Group focusses on technological change and cultural innovation. Their papers focus on these areas as well. Read them to find out about what is happening in innovation in Canada, including information on the research or academia environment as well as innovative companies and start-up ventures.

MaRS Board member Cal Stiller is inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of fame.

This is the kind of environment that Ontario is trying to build: The EuC2C partnership is an inter-sectoral group of organisations committed to making European businesses more innovative and competitive in the long term. The knowledge, skills and networks of the partnership complement each other, containing as it does a communications focussed SME, the world's most specialised firm in helping develop cluster-based programmes, a Europe-wide network of business innovation centres, a non profit national body for SME development, an independent SME training consultancy specialising in multimedia training and a specialist marketing communication company.

From Mark Suster, Entrepreneur turned VC, in his blog, "Both Sides of the Table" on October 22, 2009. His advice? Only Hire A+ People Who Punch Above Their Weight Class

Find out the "cost per friend" or "cost per email name" to compare with the costs of recruiting people elsewhere.

Startup advice abounds these days. But much of it sucks. Find out how to tell the good from the bad

Tim Harris writes this blog to help start-ups on their pitch. Basics on how to translate your ideas into a great pitch for investors. Includes Dave McClure's Start-up Metrics for Pirates or AARRR

A competition for anyone based in Europe who has an idea or business plan for a product or service that will help create a greener future.

Articles and business networks for women entrepreneurs.

Statement from the White House on the new Innovation Policy.  It is very comprehensive, covering everything from R+D, to regional clusters, to the Office of Social Innovation. A lot of smart people worked on this document. The grand challenges listed at the end are especially interesting.

Looks like Toronto/Ontario/Canada is not the only place having problems... A report released by the Center for an Urban Future, a Manhattan-based think tank, finds that while New York City is home to several of the world's leading scientific research institutions, these universities and research centers have not yet become powerful catalysts for entrepreneurship and local economic development the way similar institutions have in a number of other regions. The study concludes that New York has long failed to harness the full potential of its pre-eminent academic research institutions to build a meaningful innovation economy; an enormous missed opportunity given that the city desperately needs to diversify its economy and cultivate new engines of job growth.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to lead a non-profit? The Meyer Foundation conducted the largest national survey to date of emerging nonprofit leaders. They asked close to 6,000 people across the country about the disadvantages and benefits of heading a nonprofit organization.

Several in the tech industry, including MaRS advisor Lance Laking, have gotten together to produce this book, "The Entrepreneurial Effect" with the foreword by Terry Matthews. It is a collection of practical lessons learned. The book is meant to be a knowledge source for those decisions we face as we start and grow our companies, for example, the real story behind risk and investment, how to pick resellers or strategic partners, selling in China, and the only reasons to consider M&As. It is also worth noting that all the authors have donated their knowledge. All proceeds of the book will go to support student technology entrepreneurship - via University of Ottawa grants and scholarships.

The Next Steps program gives you the confidence and skills you need to take your business to the next level. Interact with a senior-level advisory panel of accomplished women entrepreneurs, and gain knowledge from peer mentors who have shared your business challenges. The six-module format allows you to take what you learn and apply it immediately.

The Institute without Boundaries at George Brown College is a centre of research and learning focused on design innovation and inter-professional collaboration. The Institute comprises of a post-graduate program that teaches design collaboration to professionals from diverse backgrounds; a research division, which conducts applied research on global issues; and a think tank, which offers design consultation to clients.

Film Italia and the Italian Trade Commission's annual TIFF party took on a chameleon theme set at the MaRS Discovery Centre. With six films and 13 co-productions from Italy at this year's Toronto International Film Festival and the Italian Trade Commission and Film Italia's reputation for hosting an annual festival event known for its venue selection-past parties have been held at the T.T.C.'s Lower Bay station and on a tall ship docked at H.T.O. Park-publicist Kim Graham of Kim Graham & Associates said she received lots of last-minute R.S.V.P.s to the group's TIFF party Wednesday night. The lower-key festival event, held at the MaRS Discovery District, attracted more than 400 people and took on a chameleon theme and slogan: "Try on the colours of Italian cinema."

Ron Freeman, CEO of Research at InfoSource Inc, says that our current funding model isn't working to commercialize our science. That new policy measures are needed to improve Canada's long-term competitive position.

A new way to finance your upstart: get married. This couple asks for capital for their start up, Aboomba, instead of towels and dishes for their wedding registry.