Laura Montes

Like many other WestLink graduates, Laura Montes reached a crossroads in her career where she was forced to make a decision. She earned a science degree from her native country, Colombia, so when her family moved to Calgary in 2004, she thought she had her educational plan mapped out: earn her masters, followed by a PhD and then either stay in the academic stream or enter into private research. But about eight months into her MSc, she started rethinking her strategy.

"At that point, I was 23-years-old and started thinking that I would have to spend a year or two working at my master's, four or five on my PhD and realized I would be in my 30s without any experience in the work world," says Montes. So eight months into her MSc at the University of Calgary, she transferred to the Masters in Biomedical Technology, an applied degree offering industry experience and exposure to business courses. Yet once she finished, she still questioned whether her education had prepared her enough for a business development position and looked into other options, including an MBA. The WestLink Technology Commercialization Internship Program won out and in the fall of 2006, Montes signed on.

Her first posting was with Innovotech, an Alberta start-up developing its first commercial product. The device identifies effective antibiotics combinations to treat resistant bacterial infections; Montes helped gain regulatory approval for the product and prepare the marketing and launch strategies.

"I was very lucky because the CEO of Innovotech had been my mentor for a year before I joined the company, so I was familiar with the business and was really pleased to find out that through WestLink I could work with his team," says Montes. "They had spent several years in R&D and it was interesting to contribute to the final stage of the process and bring this U of C technology to the market."

Montes then went overseas to the University of Cambridge in the UK where WestLink had entered a pilot project with Cambridge Enterprise to test whether exchanges between the two institutions would be feasible. It was the first time Montes had been to England and as much as she wanted to soak in the whole experience she felt pressure representing WestLink. "I was excited to be part of this exchange, but also aware of the expectations that came with it," she says.

Still, Montes enjoyed her time with a "very successful tech transfer office" that had a stellar track record of turning major research into successful commercialized products. "The established practice and profile of researchers at Cambridge is outstanding -- researchers are used to the commercialization process and really understand the benefit of working with the tech transfer office," says Montes. "I learned a lot by working with them."

When she returned to Alberta, Montes signed on with iNovia Capital, a high tech-focused venture capital fund who was setting up offices in Calgary and Edmonton at the time. While Montes was an intern, she helped establish iNovia's presence in western Canada, expand its partner network and identify potential life science investments. Montes is now a full-time employee with the company and spends more time screening opportunities in other technologies sectors and advancing potential investments.

"I love my job, there isn't a day that looks like the day before," says Montes, now an analyst with iNovia. "I am constantly exposed to new ideas and technology enthusiasts that are very passionate about their work.'

For instance, Montes might screen four to six companies every week (last year iNovia looked at 150 prospective businesses in western Canada alone). "We also have to be sure that companies understand what iNovia brings with an investment which goes beyond the financial support; it is not a loan or money from friends and family — we look for high risk/high return opportunities that require structured investments and companies have to be prepared for that."

Montes' connections she made throughout the WestLink internship helped her when she first started with iNovia. Her other placements had gained her a network of people in the biotech industry and tech transfer offices, so when it was time to make connections, she knew who to call.

Montes also recognizes she wouldn't be in venture capital without the WestLink program. The internship helped opened the door to different job experiences that are hard to gain exposure to. "Coming from a science background, it is difficult to transition into business development or venture capital," she says. "WestLink helped me create the path and build the skill set to get there."