NRC-IRAP is engaging key stakeholders in the development of initiatives intended to support the growth of a nanotechnology cluster centred in Edmonton, which includes NRC-NINT, Western Economic Diversification, Alberta Innovation & Science, Alberta Research Council, Alberta Ingenuity Fund, University of Alberta and Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC). For example, NRC-IRAP West is developing a collaborative initiative with EEDC that will strengthen the nanoMEMs Edmonton cluster initiative that is anchored by NRC-NINT.
NanoMEMS Edmonton is a vibrant cluster champion committed to building R&D capacity in 'small tech' not only among local members, but also with similar public-private partnerships around the world. The initiative has led to the creation of the Alberta Centre for Advanced Molecular Nanotechnology Products (ACAMP) in Edmonton and is supporting the development of a collaborative Alberta network of nanotechnology-related organizations to advance the use of nanotechnology in firms. These initiatives will enhance the capability of firms in Western Canada as well as across Canada to utilize emerging nanotechnologies and strengthen the success of up-and-coming companies.
The problem with this excerpt, and with the talk given in class yesterday, is that it is nearly impossible to identify concrete steps that are being taken. Leigh did say progress was slow, but it is not even entirely clear what they are moving towards. From the presentation I got the impression that ACAMP was supposed to act as a sort of incubator by supplying the various tools (physical and knowledge based) to nanotech companies to lure them to Edmonton and help get them up and running. That sounds relatively promising, thought could certainly have been fleshed out more.
Are we talking about a nano-lab/fab that can be 'rented' out to startup companies to save them from requiring large capital investments? Kind of a shared fabrication facility mainly for prototypes? He also talked about three non-physical areas (can't remember exactly what the were): marketing and production services, etc?. Are they consulted out? Subsidized? And where do they expect to get the expertise from?
My feeling is that trying to promote a cluster for such an emerging technology is similar to designing product around a new technology without an identified market. Nobody really knows what the nanotechnology market will look like in 5 or 10 years, and who's to say that once it matures it lends itself at all to a clustered approach? Will there ever be huge application markets for nano devices? Or will they only ever represent niche markets and components to other product?
A technology cluster as discussed in the Costa Rica makes more sense because there are a wide range of inputs that go into designing and manufacturing complete electronic devices. And in that situation clustering suppliers and vendors can streamline the supply chain and get economies of scale on infrastructure investments. Can the same be said of nanotechnologies?
Then again, maybe the nanotech cluster could be based around financing channels, fabrication equipment, research facilities and talent. But for financing and research proximity isn't terribly important thanks to the Internet. Talent specific to nanotech doesn't exist anywhere yet. And equipment can be shipped...
My problem is I'm a free market guy. Subsidies to promote an industry can result in misallocation of resources. Costa Rica had it right with rejecting any favourable treatment of Intel. Make a city/province/country a great place to do business, and the businesses that will thrive in the given environment will move in naturally.
Putting NINT into Edmonton will develop the local talent required for a nano cluster and was probably the most important action in getting the ball rolling. However I would argue that the single most significant factor that will hold back nanotech commercialization, and technology and startup companies in Edmonon in general, is the lack of risk capital. Having a nano incubator with shared facilities and services may be a solution for the nanotech industry as it reduces the need for capital, but doesn't help other technologies and startups and in fact may make risk capital even more scarce for them.
