e@UBC & CIBC Mining Technology: Innovation Forum
We hosted a innovation in Mining forum in collaboration with collaboration with CIBC earlier this year. Read on to experience the event through the eyes of one of our Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiR), Michelle Wallcraft.
We believe the key to successful innovation is collaboration. Collaboration enables groups with diverse but complementary perspectives to bridge the gaps between isolated research or business silos. But collaboration doesn’t happen by itself. That’s why e@UBC and CIBC hosted the inaugural innovation in Mining forum on January 21st at the elegant UBC Robson Square theatre.
The “Innovation by Collaboration” theme brought together over 60 mining leaders,
investors, innovators, entrepreneurs, and individuals who work with commercialization and utilization of research to identify strategies for innovation and technology to enable long term transformation and deliver bottom line value to the Mining industry.
Michelle Wallcraft e@UBC entrepreneur in residence
The afternoon began with opening remarks by representatives from CIBC and e@UBC and continued with a showcase of mining related innovations and a relevant panel discussion with the following 4 ventures from the e@UBC accelerator program known as Hatch:
Cambridge Energy Partners – reducing energy costs with redeployable solar tracking.
Aeriosense Technology – predictive maintenance with automated drone solutions and services.
Carbonet Nanotechnologies – reusable waste water with nanotechnology.
ExcelSense – saving lives and operational monitoring with self cleaning camera Technology.
Panel on mining innovations with e@UBC ventures
Following the e@UBC venture presentations, keynotes were given by:
Greg Brower, Vice President, Technology & Innovation - Teck Resources
Richard MacKellar, Managing Partner – Chrysalix
Robin Fell, Director Strategic Technology Solutions – Goldcorp
Highlights from the keynote presentations and interactive panel discussion included a sneak preview of a variety of key initiatives for targeted exploration, mixed reality and building employee and community cultures for advancing innovation. In addition – a number of thought-provoking stats showed the pros and cons of corporate vs startup innovation adoption and demonstrated improved performance associated with innovation outside of the core business.
The Mining Technology & Innovation forum provided a valuable networking opportunity for key stakeholders and change agents in the mining industry and set the stage for further cooperation and enhanced, continued collaboration focused on research, innovation and transformational change.
Nima Nabavi Founder and CEO of ExcelSense