In today’s competitive landscape, growth doesn’t just come from capital or market share—it comes from innovation. Across Atlantic Canada, companies are gaining an edge by teaming up with research talent to solve real-world challenges. And one organization is making those connections happen every day.

Mitacs, a national not-for-profit with deep regional roots, is helping Atlantic Canadian companies solve tough technical challenges, bring new products to market, and build the kind of teams that turn good ideas into revenue and long-term growth. Whether it’s a startup testing its first prototype or a mid-sized firm scaling up production, Mitacs provides the talent — and the funding — to embed top-tier research expertise directly into local businesses.

“We’re focused on helping Atlantic businesses solve problems they can’t tackle alone,” says Anne Spence, Regional Director for Atlantic Canada at Mitacs. “We offer quick access to funding support that connects them with the right research talent so that they can test, adapt, and grow.”

When business and research team up

That model is already delivering results in sectors as varied as clean tech, digital safety, advanced manufacturing, and biotech. Just ask the team at Anessa, a Fredericton-based company that develops software to model and optimize industrial systems that convert organic waste into renewable energy.

“The great thing about working with Mitacs was that we were able to explore technologies considered to have a high probability of failure without any risk, especially in the areas of big data, AI, and visualization,” explains Kenneth Kent, Co-founder of Anessa. “On more than one occasion, this development not only generated benefits for our product line but also opened up new potential revenue streams while providing us with a potential team member who would not require onboarding.”

At Leaf Electrical Safety, a Sussex-based company delivering arc flash studies & training programs to reduce electrical hazards in the workplace, one Mitacs internship had lasting impact. Leaf Electrical Safety’s training approach includes realistic simulations and data-driven assessments designed to help workers recognize and respond to dangerous electrical situations.

That intern has since evolved into “a hugely important full-time hire,” says Jon Travis, Leaf’s Managing Director and Founder. “The relationship with Mitacs allowed us to make business decisions we would not have been able to do without their support. It helped propel us to another level.”

“The relationship with Mitacs allowed us to make business decisions we would not have been able to do without their support. It helped propel us to another level.”

—Jon Travis, Managing Director and Founder, Leaf Electrical Safety

Innovation that pays off

These aren’t just one-off successes. Since 2018, Mitacs has helped deliver more than 3042 innovation projects with over 1306 enterprise partners in Atlantic Canada alone, representing more than $118 million in collaborative R&D investment.

“Atlantic Canada has the ideas and the talent,” Spence adds. “Our job is to turn that potential into real business outcomes by making it faster and easier for companies to access the research support they need.”

And the business outcomes are measurable: a Statistics Canada–commissioned study shows that companies working with Mitacs see, on average, a nine per cent increase in revenue, 16 per cent growth in sales, and an 11 per cent boost in productivity.

For business owners, the opportunity is clear: if you’re facing a challenge that needs technical expertise, or if you’ve got a market-ready idea that needs the right minds to bring it to life, Mitacs can help. Learn how; visit mitacs.ca.