Stream 2 - Topic 1 - Innovation for Sustainability
Innovation for Sustainability is an initiative designed to bring commercially viable, retail-focused innovative products and technologies to the market. While there have been some successes in the commercialization of new technology, many innovative and sustainable products never make it beyond the research and development phase. There are a number of factors responsible for this ‘innovation valley of death’, but a frequent underlying cause is the inability of various sectors to come together to nurture and grow high potential products or technologies to scale through a distribution channel and ultimately reach consumers. The Innovation for Sustainability project brings together social innovation companies like Summerhill, with retailers such as The Home Depot, the Ontario Government and several manufacturers to bring new products to market and enhance the required conditions for success that can lead to a more sustainable planet.
