IBM provided a $200+ million “sandbox” and access to the country’s biggest supercomputer, along with an abundance of analytical tools as the company’s contribution to Southern Ontario Smart Computing Innovation Platform (SOSCIP), a research and development consortium that now includes 14 universities and 2 colleges.
The result? The partnership has generated $2 billion in pipeline revenue by helping university researchers and startups get to market.
This innovation model, facilitating collaboration between IBM, academic institutions, Ontario Centre of Excellence, and SMEs aims to help establish Ontario as a leading global centre for driving innovation in information technology, health, and urban infrastructure (water, energy, transportation).
By partnering with private enterprise, academic institutions can leverage cutting-edge technology and experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is SOSCIP?
SOSCIP, the Southern Ontario Smart Computing Innovation Platform, is a research and development consortium. As of 2016 it included 14 universities and 2 colleges working with IBM, the Ontario Centre of Excellence and small and medium-sized enterprises.
What did IBM contribute to SOSCIP?
IBM contributed a sandbox worth more than $200 million, access to the country's biggest supercomputer and an abundance of analytical tools to the consortium.
What results had the SOSCIP partnership produced by 2016?
By 2016 the partnership had generated $2 billion in pipeline revenue by helping university researchers and startups bring their work to market.
Which fields was the consortium trying to make Ontario a leader in?
The innovation model aimed to establish Ontario as a leading global centre for innovation in information technology, health and urban infrastructure, including water, energy and transportation.
Why do academic institutions benefit from partnering with private enterprise in this model?
According to the article, partnering with private enterprise lets academic institutions leverage cutting-edge technology and industry experience that they would not otherwise have, which helps their researchers and startups get to market.