New IBM Innovation Space in Markham supports startups, entrepreneurs and businesses

Ontario has partnered with IBM Canada, Ontario Centres of Excellence and ventureLAB to open the IBM Innovation Space-Markham Convergence Centre that will provide businesses access to the technology and expertise they need to grow and compete in the global marketplace.

Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science attended the grand opening today with Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Growth and Michael Chan, MPP for Markham-Unionville.

This centre is part of the IBM Innovation Incubator (I³) Project, which will help small and medium-sized enterprises fast-track the launch of new technologies and products to international clients by leveraging IBM's technical resources. This includes cognitive business technology and a cloud-based development platform, as well as its physical space and network of customers. The I³ project is expected to create up to 2,600 jobs by 2020.

"The IBM Innovation Space-Markham Convergence Centre offers small and medium-sized enterprises access to the state-of-the-art technologies that disruptors who want to participate in the innovation economy need to compete. The Government of Ontario, IBM and OCE are also providing supports and mentorship, as well as access to global networks and large customers that will help Ontario SMEs to scale-up and enter markets around the world," said Tom Corr President and CEO, Ontario Centres of Excellence          ,