Tending the Lions: The college is a key enabler of the success of participants in Innovation Factory’s annual pitch competition, LiONS LAIR

Mohawk College is a key enabler of success for LiONS LAIR pitch competition participants through applied research support and as a provider of a pipeline of talent.

The competition, hosted by regional business accelerator Innovation Factory (IF), is entering its 12th year in 2022.

“Mohawk College faculty, researchers and students have built strong relationships with LiONS LAIR participants over the years and have played a crucial role as they navigate the road to commercialization,” says Andrea Johnson, General Manager of the Centre for Emerging Research Initiatives at Mohawk’s applied research hub, IDEAWORKS.

That includes everything from working on designs and prototypes to testing and evaluation of products.

“Applied research out of the college is driving innovation with tangible results,” says Johnson.

David Carter, executive director of IF, recalls when he first arrived at his job in Hamilton, he took a tour of the mHealth and eHealth Development and Innovation Centre (MEDIC)  lab at Mohawk.

He marvelled at how students had the benefit of being able to clearly picture their future job, because the MEDIC lab is a working environment.

“I hadn’t been involved in academia and I can tell you that my conception of a postsecondary education was not that. They were finding industry solutions. I was completely blown away and then I learned about IDEAWORKS, which takes that applied research mindset campus-wide.”