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Innovation and Entrepreneurship
RBC takes a leadership role in supporting innovation and
the
commercialization of research, and we support projects and
organizations
that promote learning, innovation and entrepreneurship,
such as:
- The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF), a national
leader in youth entrepreneurship through mentorship and
financial support, which results in sustainable economic
development
- The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR)
which incubates ideas that can go on to revolutionize the
international research community. CIFAR provides leading
scholars with the time, direction, freedom and inspiration
to pursue fundamental questions concerning society, technology,
and the very nature of humanity and the universe
- The Council for Entrepreneurial Development, promoting
high growth, high-impact entrepreneurial companies in North
Carolina's Research Triangle region
- The RBC Next Great Innovator Challenge™, an annual
contest to encourage college and university students from
across Canada to think of innovative ideas about how financial
services are delivered. RBC was the first major Canadian
financial institution to have a public blog and a virtual
agent, both of which were launched as part of the Challenge.
RBC p2p™, a site for and by young adults, is based
on a winning idea from the first Challenge.
For more information, visit nextgreatinnovator.com
Since 1969, we have brought investment dollars as well as
our
knowledge and expertise to budding software and technology
companies serving the financial services and other sectors.
Through direct and indirect investments, we currently have
almost
$700 million dedicated for investment in emerging technology
companies around the world.
- In 2008, RIM*, RBC and Thomson Reuters launched the BlackBerry
Partners Fund, a US$150 million venture capital fund that
invests in mobile applications and services for the BlackBerry*
platform
and other mobile platforms. The Fund is designed to advance
the
industry by fostering development and driving the entrepreneurial
spirit to create the most innovative mobile offerings for
customers.
To date, the Fund has invested in buzzd, a location-sensitive
city
guide and social network for mobile devices; Digby, a leading
mobile commerce service provider; and WorldMate, a company
that
has paved the way for mobile travel innovation.
Research and Sharing of Knowledge
Financial institutions have a duty to contribute to public
policy
discussion of economic and social issues when they have relevant
knowledge and experience. RBC's involvement in so many sectors
of North American economic life gives us a unique perspective.
Our
views are often sought by legislators and other public servants,
and by other participants in public discussion.
RBC maintains a substantial economics research program, both
corporately and within our various businesses. Our economists
examine conditions, developments and trends in Canada and
abroad, and share their findings and analyses extensively
through publications, speeches and briefings. RBC is also
frequently called upon to prepare and submit briefs to a wide
variety of government commissions and task forces. We have
consistently emphasized the importance of and need for improved
productivity in Canada, especially in the context of worldwide
economic competition.
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