Funding and Awards
 To encourage and support innovation, SAIT assists with funding of applied research projects and rewards outstanding achievement from its students, faculty and staff.  | SAIT is also working with organizations that offer voucher programs and has successfully piloted a new program that helps new and recent graduates launch their innovative business ideas. |
Voucher Programs
| Alberta Innovation Voucher Pilot Project | "I really enjoyed working with the SAIT team on the development of a new solar heating product. Their knowledge and technical skill is matched by their professionalism and creativity."
Tom Jackman, President, Simple Solar Heating Ltd. | SAIT Polytechnic is an approved service provider of this two-year pilot project, developed by Alberta Advanced Education and Technology and Applied Research and Innovation Services is the contact.
The program helps small to medium sized businesses move their projects through the technology development / commercialization process. Preference is given to businesses in emerging growth sectors, such as clean technology, health, bio-tech and information and communication technology. The second-round announcement closed for applications on November 20, 2009. Some key requirements include: - business must be registered in Alberta or Canada
- more than 50 per cent of its business activity is in Alberta
- gross revenue cannot exceed $5 million
- fewer than 51 employees
- applicant can only recieve one $10,000 voucher and / or one $50,000 voucher
These vouchers can only be used as partial payment to an approved service provider and the project must be completed within nine months from the voucher date. Applicants are advised to review the program guidelines and contact us before applying. NOTE: On April 1, 2010, this program was transferred to Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures and is currently under review.
LAUNCH Business Plan Competition  | In November 2009, SAIT kicked off its new LAUNCH program for young entrepreneurs, designed to help participants start their careers as entrepreneurs and get their big ideas off the ground. | LAUNCH is a business plan competition for new SAIT graduates and recent alumni interested in starting up their own technology, science or knowledge-based business. The three most promising business ventures were awarded prize packages with a combined value of almost $170,000 at a June 2010 awards ceremony.
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