1. Yukon Innovation Stephen Mooney MSc P.Eng December 12, 2018
I would like to begin by acknowledging that the land we are on today is the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin nation. I would like to thank the organizers for this opportunity to speak to you today.
Stephen Mooney MSc P.Eng
December 12, 2018

2. Northern Innovative Women
Who really discovered the Klondike Gold in August 1896?
History tells of George Carmack, Skookum Jim, Tagish Charlie and later Robert Henderson.
There is also the story of Kate Carmack, who was washing the dishes in Bonanza Creek and found the original gold.
Kate will be inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame this winter!
Yukon Archives Photo

3. Northerners are Innovative
Buzzsaw Jimmy circa 1921
Cutting 2 Cords/Hour of wood was common with 2 people.
Jimmy innovated this saw with parts from a tractor and the motor from a Model T
He could cut 10 Cords/Hour
Innovation has its Risks!

4. Yukon Innovation Prize
Goal of Prize – Why do it?
Market / Increase awareness of Innovation support services in the region,
Stimulate innovation
Increase innovation in the rural communities
Stimulate the economy

5. Yukon Innovation Prize -Process
Develop the thematic area for the contest
Focus on areas that are of a concern to your geographical region.
Determine what the Prize will be.
Divide the money in stages
Four Finalist each receive money and support
One winner will receive the Grand Prize $$$ and business support
When we created this idea, we wanted to come up with a great Prize that would attract innovative ideas. The Department of Economic Development, Yukon Government, came on as the main sponsor

6. Yukon Innovation Prize -Process
Select four finalist, award $10K and provide support (consulting, mentoring, etc)
10 weeks to further develop their idea
Resubmit application to same Evaluation Team
Select a Winner - $60K and support
Award the “Big Cheque” with Media exposure

7. 2015 YIP – Building Technology and Construction
Building Technology and Construction was the theme for out first Yukon Innovation Prize. We wanted to pick a theme that many people were knowledgeable about. We received 25 applications that year. Though we did have two applications from women, as you can imagine, the majority of applications came from males. The ideas varied, and we realized you could categorize the ideas into three areas, Crazy, Good and Crazy Good. It was the Crazy Good ideas we were looking for.
That years’ winner developed a energy efficient radon mitigation system that he has brought to a patent stage and now working with a US Firm to develop and distribute.
The second year we hit a sweet spot by using Food Security and Agriculture as the thematic area for innovation. We had 28 applications and many came from the communities. The winner in 2016 submitted a year-round greenhouse design that used thermal heat sinks and volt voltage fans to move the heat around the greenhouse to reduce the operational costs.
2015 YIP – Building Technology and Construction
2016 YIP – Food Security and Agriculture

8. 2017 YIP – Health and Wellness
2018 YIP – Social Entrepreneurship

9. The RIC Principle Commercialization 100 % 0 % Project Pipeline
Research
Innovation
Commercialization
SDTC
NSERC
CanNor
NRC- IRAP
Private Sector
Build Canada

10. Force Field of Innovation in the North
Positive Forces Encouraging Growth
Negative Forces Slowly Down Growth
Government
Procurement Policies
Lack of Volume – Ideas, people
Lack of Acceleration/Incubation
Entrepreneur Experience
Lack of Venture Capital
Lack of Angel Investors
Lack of Resources
Manufacturing
Technical skills
Lack of Anchor Tenants
Operational Costs
Yukon Government Ec Dev, Core Funders
Canadian Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
Yukon College transition to Yukon University - Knowledge Capacity
Natural Science Engineering Research Council (NSERC) - Tri Council
National Research Council (NRC)
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
Industry Technology Advisor (ITA)
YukonStruct- Local Maker Space
Co-Working Space
First Nation’s Development Corporations

11. Other Northern Innovation Prizes
Governor General’s Innovation Awards (GGIA)
$3M in 3 Prize Categories, One $1M, Four $500K, up to Seven $100k for Youth.
Inspiring Young People to Become Innovators

12. Innovation is Happening
Yukon College becoming Yukon University
Solving northern issues
Involving Multiple partners (Leverage Funding)
Involve Students (At all levels)
In the North, by the North, for the North

13. Thank you Masi Cho ! http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/research
Stephen Mooney M.Sc. P. Eng
Director, Northern Housing Innovation