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C O N N E C T Alberta’s Action Pl£n: ydlberla Bringing Technology to Market Canada 1*1 Message from the Premier M Resourceful people. Original Alberta’s success in the Next Generation ideas. Adventurous entrepreneurs. Economy is so important to my government Innovative companies. A t hriving that I made it a t op priority in the mandate for Advanced Education and Technology technology sector. A c ommitted Minister Doug Horner. government. We’re all coming together to create Alberta’s Part of that mandate meant finding even Next Generation Economy. better ways to commercialize the great ideas coming out of Alberta and to bring them to the market faster. Working with industry, Alberta has come up with an action plan to make a g ood formula even better. We’ve already got a g ood start, and I l ook forward to seeing this plan continue to develop over the next few years. Alberta equals opportunity. We celebrate ideas here. We nurture them, commercialize them and export them to the world. Yours sincerely, Premier of Alberta Alberta’s Action Plan - B ringing Technology to Market 1 Alberta Advanced Education and Technology Minister Doug Horner (left) and Premier Ed Stelmach observe technologies at Alberta’s National Institute for Nanotechnology. FC1 2 Alberta’s Action Plan - B ringing Technology to Market Capturing the Momentum... ■■ Our success in applying science, research and technology to develop innovations has put us at the forefront of many industries... health care, energy and energy efficiency, forestry, ICT, environment, nanotechnology and agriculture. Now we’re building on that success. Our Action Plan will assist Alberta entrepreneurs in getting more of their ideas off the research bench and into consumers’ hands. CONNECT Alberta’s Action Plan - B ringing Technology to Market 3 Alberta’s Action Plan for Bringing Technology to Market ■ En hancing an already action 5: Offer innovation vouchers Alberta’s Action Plan is different. What’s strong tax environment to assist companies in accessing different about our plan is that we’re action 1: Implement a s cience and technology development services pursuing a w ide range of coordinated research experimental development initiatives. It’s a p ackage that’s good for t■ax c re diItn v i t i n g t h e w o r l d athcrtoiuognh 6e:n h Parnecpaerde pprroodduucctt s d efovre l moaprmkeetn t Alberta businesses and good for investors. centres Never before has the momentum to invest action 7: Create a d emonstration fund been greater. action 2: Establish a $ 100 million for testing new products With more and more companies Alberta Enterprise Corporation to action 8: Expand the IVAC Capacity discovering what Alberta has to offer, we attract and strengthen venture capital are building a community of researchers, i■nves t meBnu tisl d iinn Agl b eyrotau r company sBeuieldd e rs t aPgreo g treacmh n ofloro g pyr e c-coommpmaenriceisa l and mentors, investors and businesspeople ■ E n c o u r a g i n g n e w who are gaining momentum. and products technopreneurs It’s happening. Be part of the future action 3: Strengthen access to happening now in Alberta. action 9: Support Youth regional business services to improve Technopreneurship project initiatives your company’s investment-readiness action 4: Introduce new technology development advisors Enhancing an already Inviting the world Building your company Encouraging new 4 Alberta’s Action Plan strong tax environment to invest and products technopreneurs An energy industry scientist developing technologies in a northern Alberta lab to bring solutions to the global marketplace. CONNECT Alberta’s Action Plan - B ringing Technology to Market 5 Action 1: Implement a science and research experimental development tax credit Implement a science and The credit will be effective for all research experimental development eligible expenditures incurred after (SR&ED) tax credit to boost December 31 , 2008, that are also eligible investment in R&D in Alberta. for the federal SR&ED credit. Examples of eligible expenditures could include wages, materials, machinery, equipment, some Alberta has long been known for the overhead and SR&ED contracts. lowest taxes in Canada and a s upportive business environment that encourages The credit will be worth 1 0 p er cent of entrepreneurship. a company’s eligible expenditures up A n ew SR&ED tax credit is a f urther to $4 million, for a maximum credit of $400,000. It w ill be refundable for all step to remain competitive with other jurisdictions to attract, retain and grow companies. knowledge-intensive companies. 6 Alberta’s Action Plan - B ringing Technology to Market Action 2: Establish $100 million Alberta Enterprise Corporation ■■I Establish $100 million Alberta sources of funds, and attract more venture Enterprise Corporation to attract capital to Alberta to invest in early-stage and strengthen venture capital technology companies. investments in Alberta. This locally managed entity will also assist in building a community of venture capital The Alberta Enterprise Corporation will professionals experienced in technology be a c ornerstone to our Action Plan for deals. It will encourage active investors Alberta. that can mentor and guide companies, expand their networks and open doors Its expert board will invest as a l imited to new markets. partner in a range of venture funds, not just one fund. Those funds will invest in promising companies, generate multiple Enhancing an already Building your company CONNECT Alberta’s Action Plan 7 strong tax environment and products Enhancing an already Inviting the world Building your company Encouraging new 8 Alberta’s Action Plan strong tax environment to invest and products technopreneurs to find transi 7on solutions.