Growing innovation in Atlantic Canada
The Springboard Network moves knowledge and technologies from universities and colleges to the economy. We connect industry with researchers to solve real-world problems and help entrepreneurs protect their IP.
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Industry Engagement Professionals from 14 universities and 5 colleges in Atlantic Canada
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Springboard AI Strategy & Action Plan
for Atlantic Canada
To celebrate our 20th anniversary, Springboard compiled this collection of our most impactful stories of research commercialization and industry collaborations
Our Stories
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UdM AI remote sensing research advances climate resilience in Atlantic Canada
CategoriesArtificial IntelligenceA team of researchers at the Université de Moncton, has developed a new AI-driven model designed to improve next-day wildfire spread prediction using advanced remote sensing data. At the Perception, Robotics and Intelligent Machines (PRIME) Laboratory.
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Dalhousie President Kim Brooks emphasizes the role of research in Canadian sovereignty and prosperity
CategoriesDefence and Dual use technologiesAs world-leading hubs of research excellence, universities are national assets to secure Canada’s sovereign capabilities in critical fields for the future. In an interview Dalhousie PResident Kim Brooks She says universities need to be at the centre of that conversation. Brooks says defence spending is about economic development and that this investment will build Canadian firms, talent, supply chains, and confidence.
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CBU opens medical campus to strengthen rural medicine in NS
CategoriesCape Breton UniversityOn May 14, 2026, Cape Breton University (CBU) and the Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine marked the grand opening of the Cape Breton Medical Campus (CBMC) Medical Sciences Building. It is a state-of-the-art facility located on CBU’s campus that will support the medical education of future Nova Scotia doctors. These new doctors will serve communities across the province, including rural and indigenous communities.
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ResearchNB investments fuel innovation pipeline at UNB
CategoriesresearchFive UNB-led projects have received support through ResearchNB’s Priority Sector Development Fund. Initiatives include AI-enabled healthcare systems, digital twins for marine ports and robotics for greenhouse agriculture.
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UPEI launches parasitology residency to combat animal heartworm in Atlantic Canada
CategoriesresearchThe University of Prince Edward Island’s Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) has launched a Veterinary Parasitology Residency Program to tackle the growing threat of heartworm—an emerging disease now being detected in dogs and wildlife across the region. Backed by partnerships with Mitacs and Boehringer Ingelheim Canada, the program is an example of industry-academic collaboration driving regional innovation.
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McKenna family donates $20M to St. FX for scholarships
CategoriesSt.FXSt. Francis Xavier University (StFX) has received the largest single private philanthropic gift in its 173-year history. The $20-million contribution came from alumni Frank McKenna and Julie McKenna and their family. It will be used to create the McKenna Scholars Program, designed to attract high-achieving students from across Canada with undergraduate scholarships.
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Woodward family invests $500K to expand innovation at Memorial
CategoriesMemorial UniversityA new $500,000 investment is accelerating the next generation of entrepreneurs at Springboard member Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. The funding is provided by the Woodward family and will expand the Mel Woodward Cup, which is the university’s flagship student startup competition.
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MedTech NB Summit 2026: advancing health innovation through collaboration
CategoriesmedtechSpringboard is proud to sponsor the MedTech NB Summit 2026 which brings together healthcare leaders, researchers, innovators, policymakers, and industry partners to accelerate the adoption of innovation solutions in our healthcare system. Organized by Springboard Network member Université de Moncton, the MedTech event will take place May 19–20 in Moncton.
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Dal agriculture faculty partners with Royal Veterinary College
CategoriesDalhousie UniversitySpringboard Network member Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Royal Veterinary College, forming a partnership that will open new doors for students, researchers and the future of animal health innovation in Atlantic Canada.
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Women in defence and tech: Building leadership and opportunity in Atlantic Canada
CategoriesDefence and Dual use technologiesA growing network of women-led initiatives across Atlantic Canada is reshaping traditionally male-dominated sectors such as defence and security to artificial intelligence. Organizations such as Women in Defence and Security (WiDS) in New Brunswick and Women in Machine Learning and Data Science are building leadership, talent pipelines, and inclusive innovation.
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