MIT REAP Focus Nova Scotia program underway

SUMMARY
A recently launched one-year program with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Regional Enterprise Acceleration Global Program (REAP) is giving teams from Nova Scotia the chance to explore in depth how best to grow our local economies and strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship.

DETAILS
Teams representing five regions in Nova Scotia are participating in a one-year program with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Based on the well-respected two-year international MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Global Program (MIT REAP Global), MIT REAP Focus Nova Scotia is tailor-made for our province. The program aims to help regions grow their local economies through evidence-based and practical approaches to strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship.   

In 2019, NSCC President Don Bureaux was tasked with leading the province through the second half of the One Nova Scotia (Ivany) Report. Forming a team that initially consisted of Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood, Bridgewater Mayor David Mitchell, Port Hawkesbury Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton, former Wolfville Mayor Jeff Cantwell, and Deputy Minister Bernard Miller, it was determined that participating in the MIT program was a priority.

The program officially began on January 26, 2021, with a virtual kickoff event. Each of the five participating regions - South Shore, Cape Breton, Pictou, Valley, and Western - are represented by a 10-member team with representation from entrepreneurship, corporate, risk capital, government, and academic sectors. The program costs are covered by the federal and provincial governments, with contributions from organizations and the individuals from the five participating regions.  

Previously, in 2016, the MIT Global program provided the space for Nova Scotia's leaders to understand the drivers of a successful innovation ecosystem, identify our province's comparative advantages, and collectively accomplish their "Must Win Battle" - winning the Ocean Super Cluster - which is expected to generate $14 billion in GDP and create 3,000 jobs over 10 years. ONSIDE continues to share disruptive ideas such as those advanced by MIT REAP and to use the collective impact approach to accelerate growth in Nova Scotia.

Team South Shore is working alongside the leading global minds at MIT to overcome our core challenges while determining the comparative advantage for our region.

"MIT REAP faculty collaborate with key regional stakeholders to develop solutions that are compatible with the region's history, culture, and key regional drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship," said Fiona Murray, MIT Faculty Co-Director, William Porter Professor of Entrepreneurship, and MIT Sloan Associate Dean for Innovation and Inclusion.

"We are excited to offer a more bespoke, local vision of MIT REAP's mission to Nova Scotia and future Focus team regions. I'm delighted that MIT colleagues Professor Scott Stern and Dr. Phil Budden, will be leading our work along with me, as well as the MIT staff, with support from ONSIDE."

Team South Shore Champion, John Swain, noted, "The importance of the One Nova Scotia report cannot be understated, and there has not been a better time to capitalize on the strengths Nova Scotia and, specifically, the South Shore bring to the global table. As we work to grow and diversify our economy, it is vital that we leverage our comparative advantage and fully understanding what that is through the MIT program will ensure our success."

The program will wrap up in December 2021 but, along the way over the coming months, the team will provide regular updates to the community on the work being carried out.

CONTACTS
For questions or additional comments, please contact South Shore Team Champion John Swain at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Mayor David Mitchell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

TEAM MEMBERS

John Swain; Team Champion
President, Swain Chartered Professional Accountants Inc.

Jason Huskilson
Manager, ABCO Industries

Mark S. Winfield
Partner, BDO (retired)

Rachel Browne
Area Account Manager, ACOA

Craig Collins
Principal, Nova Scotia Community College

Brianna Higgins
VP & CFO,  Stelia Aerospace

Jessica McDonald
Director of Community Development, Town of Bridgewater

David Mitchell
Mayor, Town of Bridgewater


Larry Rosborough
President, SSI Consulting Solutions

Thomas Sullivan
Community Manager, RBC

Sharon Haughn (non-core member); Team Project Manager