Since the launch of the National Innovation Strategy in January 2001, there has been much attention given to commercialization of University Research. Little attention has been given to the success of R&D intensive commercial enterprises and why their collective performance is poor by international comparison. One aspect of this is the disappearance of start-up and early stage firms. This study has focused on these firms. The outcomes of the study coupled with the results of earlier studies on active enterprises gives new insights into the root causes for the poor performance of Canadian enterprises. These causes are much more cultural and human than they are technical or financial. The question of how to change our culture for greater success in knowledge-based commerce becomes a key challenge for Canada’s prosperity. It is a challenge on which we have made no progress in the last three or four decades. Change is needed.

This lecture will feature a presentation by Dr. H. Douglas Barber, past president of Gennum Corp. and current Distinguished Professor-in-Residence at McMaster University.

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