Now more than ever, Canada’s economic competitiveness on the global stage depends on our ability to innovate and become leading exporters of technology, rather than resources. Young entrepreneurs and senior technical teams alike need a sound grounding in what it takes to commercialize technology and bring it to market.

The Keystep team has decades of combined experience in fostering innovation and economic development, delivered through practical training programs and advisory services. Keystep’s methodology begins with defining a business strategy built around addressing a clearly defined market need. Simply put, a product should not go begging for a market; the market should be begging for the product.

“Keystep’s knowledge in the area of early stage business planning has been very effective in providing special courses for academic entrepreneurs connected to the CITO funding program. Keystep’s advisors are excellent educators. It also has a strong consulting portfolio and has been instrumental in securing strategic funding for several SMEs and multinationals, as well as for not-for profile organizations.”
~ Peter Leach, Past President, CITO

Keystep has worked with numerous agencies across Canada, including:

• National Research Council: Completed the feasibility study and plan for the Industrial Partnership Facility that became the model for 10+ such facilities across Canada for incubating early stage companies and spin-offs.
• Innovacorp: Keystep delivered market strategy training to entrepreneurs in Halifax.
• South Shore Economic Development Agency: Keystep delivered business strategy training in Digby for local high-tech companies.
• Annapolis Digby Economic Development: Keystep delivered business strategy training to local high-tech companies on the east coast of Canada.
• Carleton University: Keystep assisted in the creation and launch of the Foundry Program to stimulate technology transfer and company creation from university research.
• Westlink Innovation: Keystep delivered New Product Development training in Calgary in conjunction with Westlink.
• Federal Partners in Technology Transfer: Keystep delivered its Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer course in major cities across Canada for local R&D organizations.