The Ontario government understands the competitive advantage offered by nanotechnology and is committed to making nano R&D - and its commercialization - a priority.

We've earmarked almost $3 billion over eight years to support the marketability of R&D being developed at our research and teaching institutions.

To accelerate the movement of new products from the lab to the marketplace, we help connect companies with scientists through the Ontario Centres of Excellence Inc. - and we offer companies the ability to acquire the rights to the intellectual property developed at our public research centres.

How does it work? Take the example of the Ontario Centres of Excellence helping to advance commercialization of an Ottawa company's revolutionary lightbulb:

It was big news when Ottawa-based Group IV Semiconductor Inc. announced it had developed a prototype light bulb that's poised to revolutionize the $12 billion a year illumination market. Based on nanotechnology, the bulb will use a silicon-based process to deliver unprecedented efficiency, brightness and AC line-voltage capability at low cost. Working behind the scenes to help make it all happen was the Ontario Centres of Excellence.

Established in 1987, Ontario Centres of Excellence are in the business of commercializing research by building bridges from universities to the marketplace. They have been highly successful, funding thousands of projects that have resulted in hundreds of new technology licenses and dozens of new companies. Stephen Naor, CEO of Group IV, says that, "With the stimulus provided by Ontario Centres of Excellence, we've been able to attract committed investors and accelerate the commercialization of our breakthrough lighting technology."