A benchmark analysis of Canadian clean technology commercialization accelerators

Although the size of the Canadian clean energy market is small, high R&D capacity and clean-tech ventures delivering emerging clean energy technologies could potentially make Canada a global leader in supplying direct products, services and infrastructure to clean energy markets. Technology commercialization centres are of vital importance in facilitating and accelerating the transfer of academic and applied research to create and support technology-based ventures. However, there is a lack of clarity around the governance, performance, operation, and business model of such organizations. In order to develop and implement the best business practices for Clean Energy Commercialization Accelerators (CECAs), this paper explores different business operational models which were adopted by different non-profit clean energy commercialization organizations. A two-stage approach was employed. In the first stage, over fifteen organizations (including twelve non-profit organizations and three university research parks) in Canada, the U.S., and Europe were selected for benchmark analysis. Four distinct business operational models emerge based upon an in-depth analysis: incubation focused, technology-enabled, market-enabled, and strategic partnership. Thereafter, a typology of organizations is proposed, based on four discriminating models: governance, finance, operation, and revenue. This typological analysis is then employed to unravel best business practices for CECAs, in view of governance structure, management practice, community impacts, overall business model and performance, strategic plan, and operation.