BURNABY – Simon FraserUniversity has joined withRyerson University to develop agroundbreaking incubator andassociated accelerator programin India in collaboration withthe Bombay Stock ExchangeInstitute (BSEI).The BSEI-Ryerson DigitalMedia Zone was established inJuly 2013 and this week SFUsigned a Letter of Intent (LOI)with Ryerson and BSEI to collaborateon its further development.The incubator will enableentrepreneurs to fast track theirstartups and connect with mentors,customers and investors. Itlays the groundwork to helpyoung entrepreneurs expand inboth the Indian and Canadianmarkets and provides supportand resources for entrepreneurshipand professional developmenteducation. TheBSEI¬–Ry e r s o n ¬ – S F UAccelerator Program India, afive-year agreement betweenRyerson, Ryerson Futures Inc.,SFU and SF Univentures callsfor collaboration on a numberof fronts, including acceleratingthe development and commercializationof innovativeresearch and new technologiesin India and Canada and providingopportunities for entrepreneurshipeducation, trainingand development. The partnershipis an example of how SFUis advancing its activities inIndia with university and industrypartners, says SFU PresidentAndrew Petter. “We are excitedto partner in this ground-breakinginitiative which will benefityoung entrepreneurs and theirinnovations in both Canada andIndia,” said Petter.

“Supporting student entrepreneurship isan important part of our commitment tobeing Canada’s ‘engaged university.’ Thisunique partnership with the BSEI andRyerson University will help us extendthat commitment both nationally andinternationally.” For Ryerson, the arrangementwill enhance opportunities foryoung entrepreneurs. “Ryerson looks forwardto working with Simon FraserUniversity and continuing to generateopportunities for young Indian andCanadian entrepreneurs,” said MohamedLachemi, Provost and Vice PresidentAcademic at Ryerson. “We are bringing asuccessful model to India, and with thiscollaboration with Simon FraserUniversity, we can provide even moreresources to fast track innovative researchand help train and develop the next generationof entrepreneurs.”SFU’s involvement will also spawn newglobal opportunities for SF UniventuresCorporation and other initiatives, throughthe support of student mobility initiativesand program delivery as well as acceleratorand angel funding projects, adds SFU V-PResearch Mario Pinto. “The signing ofthis LOI exemplifies SFU’s innovationstrategy, in which community partners areengaged with our students and facultyentrepreneurs at the outset, to provide aninformed view of the requirements of thereal world,” said Pinto. B.C. AdvancedEducation Minister Amrik Virk said:“Partnerships between industry, employersand post-secondary institutions areimportant in today’s global marketplace.Strengthening ties between BritishColumbia and India with this agreementsupports skills and competencies in entrepreneurshipthat are critical for social andeconomic success.”