As an entrepreneur you understand the power of creative solutions. So, what if you had an innovation that could help solve Canada’s toughest defence & security challenges?

Introducing the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program. IDEaS, is a Department of National Defence program connecting Canada’s toughest defence and security challenges with creative thinkers, and providing them with the resources and guidance they need to bring new solutions to light. Great innovations have the power to provide greater security to Canada. So keep your IP and find unique ways to solve defence challenges!

Born from the need to be agile in responding to crisis, the IDEaS program allows entrepreneurs the opportunity to bring forward their innovations at any stage. It also isn’t what you may think about when it comes to military innovation.

In this information packed session we talked about:

• The structure of The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program
• Different IDEaS funding mechanisms
• The application process

IDEaS is looking to all innovators to solve defence challenges of the future: from your garage innovator, small and medium enterprises, academia, not-for-profits, and municipal/provincial/territorial entities.

Are you interested in greening up the military, protecting marine life, or finding ways to recruit and retain women in the Canadian Armed Forces? Do you have great ideas on ways to innovate with language retention? All of these challenges are current and past opportunities within the IDEaS program and if you answered with a “maybe” to any, then this program could be a great fit for you!

Facilitator: Cathy Burrell. Client Services, WeBC

Panelists:

• Alexander Emesh, Business Engagement Analyst, Procurement Assistance Canada (PAC) / Pacific Region
• Eric Fournier, Director General Innovation, Department of National Defence (DND)
• Julie Angus, CEO and cofounder, Open Ocean Robotics