Overview

Educational Programs and Training

• Notification of upcoming seminars, events, and workshops that WestLink develops in collaboration with our members
• Preferred sponsorship access to WestLink events
• Access to intern placements in WestLink’s Technology Commercialization Internship Program.  This program places interns in eight-month placements with mentors in host start-up companies, venture capital firms and technology transfer offices

Information Sharing and Promotion

• Circulation of and preferred information access to WestLink promotional documents and collective reports
• Profile of your organization through network promotional material, WestLink’s website, reports and publications
• Access to international groups for potential partnerships and sharing of best practices

Facilitated Access to Member Technologies

• Liaise with WestLink’s Business Development Manager (BDMs) for facilitated access to member technology commercialization activities and collaboration opportunities

Networking and Meetings

• WestLink holds an Annual Conference that is the network’s largest member-related event. The conference is an opportunity for the Western Canadian technology transfer community and industry representatives to meet and network. The conference program includes educational components as well as information sharing opportunities
• Opportunity to network with Western Canadian technology transfer industry professionals, key contacts and federal and provincial government representatives

National Connections via ACCT Canada (the Alliance for Commercialization of Canadian Technology)

WestLink members are automatically members of ACCT – Canada’s national “Network of Networks” supporting commercialization.  WestLink is one of four regional founding member organizations of ACCT Canada which was developed to enhance Canada’s technology commercialization infrastructure, capacity and collaboration and to serve as the focal point for exchange with government and industry. Programs include the Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Licensing Course and an Annual Meeting.  ACCT Canada delivers its programs through the collaboration of the regional networks. WestLink is the only one of the 4 regional networks in Canada to recognize non-institutional members and develop programs specifically to engage non-institutional partners in program development and training.

Access to Health Benefits Program

• WestLink provides participation in the WestLink Health Benefits Plan – a value-added program providing cost-effective health and dental insurance benefits

Market and Information Resources

• WestLink has negotiated pooled member access to excellent information resources.  These currently include NERAC and Frost & Sullivan services.  Members can access these at discounted rates, negotiated based on organization size and level of usage

And there is more…

• Discounted member registration for network seminars and events
• Ability to designate other potential members for participation in the WestLink Health Benefits Plan.