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The following article is from Alberta Venture Magazine, published July, 2003

Sphere of Influence: Technology Interview with Susan Miller, President & CEO, Inno-centre Alberta
For 18 years, Susan Miller demonstrated a rare Midas touch in the high-tech world, running successful companies in both Canada and Europe. The former president of Compaq Canada now puts that acumen into creating them as president of Inno-centre Alberta, a high-tech incubator with offices in Calgary and Edmonton. And her reputation has spread beyond high-tech circles as the federal government gave a $1-million grant this year to help Inno-centre Alberta's fledglings turn into viable businesses. But Miller eventually wants to replace taxpayer grants with private investment as Inno-centre begins to turn its current crop of nine nestlings into self-sufficient companies that generate healthy profits. Miller also volunteers her know-how to the advisory committee at the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business and as a jurist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year program.

What single policy decision could the provincial government make to help grow the high-tech industry in Alberta?
The key driver to Alberta's economic growth is converting R&D expenditures into successful products and companies. This requires the patient, knowledgeable money that venture capital (VC) investments provide, coupled with experienced technology company managers. With 10% of Canada's population but only 2% of Canada’s VC funds, Alberta must create more VC-friendly tax policies compared to other jurisdictions. We also must fund programs that enable Alberta companies to attract and utilize experienced technology company managers and advisors, who are often only available from outside our province. This will dramatically increase the opportunities for Alberta’s emerging technology companies to secure and leverage VC investments.

What is your professional legacy?
After 20 years of leading five profitable high-growth technology companies making many long-term decisions, within a framework of one-quarter's earning forecasts, I sought a role with a longer-term view and a broader potential impact. Inno-centre Alberta's definitely fits the bill. In our first seven years, we anticipate providing business mentorship to over 100 emerging technology companies, creating many jobs and helping to raise over $80 million in private investments in this vital sector. If fully-funded during our initial seven years, Inno-centre Alberta has the potential to also generate sufficient deferred income, to provide sufficient ongoing funding that will support 15 new companies every year thereafter, without any further reliance on taxpayers' money. Now that’s a legacy! We are well on our way, having reviewed 230 companies and accepted nine. However by 2004, after accepting more companies and garnering private investments for several, we will only be able to accept more companies if we obtain additional funding of Inno-centre Alberta's operations. So in addition to our efforts, our legacy still requires continued faith and lots of community support!

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