News & Events
Upcoming & Recent Events

MEET Niagara College!

Apr 30, 2024 | En ligne Online
Date(s)
April 30, 2024 2:00 pm - April 30, 2024 3:00 pm
ONLINE
EDT

Niagara College’s Research & Innovation Division provides real-world solutions for business, key industry sectors and the community through applied research and knowledge transfer activities. We conduct projects that provide innovative solutions, such as producing and testing prototypes, evaluating new technologies, and developing new or improved products or processes for small- and medium-sized businesses. Niagara Colleges Research & Innovation division was recently recognized as the #1 Research College in Canada.

With funding support from various regional, provincial and federal agencies, students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty researchers to assist industry partners leap forward in the marketplace. Using government funding, the Research & Innovation division is able to work with SME’s to offset significant research costs (Usually up to 50%) to help solve challenges they are facing in the industry.

Research & Innovation partnerships are delivered through four main Innovation Centres.

Food & Beverage: Risk Assessments, Feasibility Studies, Product Development, Shelf-Life Testing, Commercialization Strategies, Copacking.

Horticultural & Environmental Sciences: Growth & Technology Trials, Integrated Pest Management, Cannabis Cultivation.

Advanced Manufacturing:  Metrology, Prototype Design & Development, Digital Manufacturing, 3D Printing, Software Engineering.

Business & Commercialization: Market Research, Competitive Analysis, Strategic Planning, Social Media, Photography & Videography, Graphic Design

Past projects and success stories can be found at ncinnovation.ca  

This session is for CGLCC certified suppliers only!

Your speaker

David DiPietro (He/Him)
Manager, Business Development, with the Research & Innovation Division of Niagara College
David DiPietro is the Manager, Business Development, with the Research & Innovation Division of Niagara College. On the business side, his role involves recruiting industry partners to engage in applied research initiatives. On the academic side, David works with faculty to bring course-based research opportunities into the classroom. David also plays a part in bringing staff research ideas to life through the College’s recently established Research Opportunity Fund.
David DiPietro (He/Him)
Manager, Business Development, with the Research & Innovation Division of Niagara College
Tess Finlay (She/Her)
Business Development Coordinator
Tess Finlay is the Business Development Coordinator for the Research & Innovation(R&I) Division at Niagara College. She joined the division in November 2023. In her role, Tess supports the Business Development Manager and all four Innovation Centres with industry and community partner recruitment, new project development & event execution.

Tess graduated from Humber College with an Advanced Diploma in Public Relations. Prior to her role with R&I, Tess worked alongside some of Canada’s most notable and impactful charities such as World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Free the Children and Environment Defence Canada. Most recently, she worked with Cyber-Seniors Inc. where she played a key role in successfully growing the organizations’ community engagement and expansion across North America. 

With more than 10 years in the field, Tess has assisted in the execution of various national marketing campaigns and promotional events, established strategic alliances with Fortune 100 companies, and implemented a number of highly successful partnership programs.

Tess currently sits on the Canadian Board of Directors for Cyber-Seniors Inc.
Tess Finlay (She/Her)
Business Development Coordinator

Interested in learning more about some of our Corporate Partners? This is the perfect opportunity to meet some of our partners at the CGLCC and see what they are specifically looking for in procurement. 

Please note that our Meet The Buyer sessions are for certified diverse suppliers only – for more information on becoming a certified supplier with CGLCC, click here or email us at supplierdiversity@cglcc.ca.