Client Need:
A provincial economic development and trade ministry required strategies to attract additional foreign investment into the region. The ministry required tools to help market the region and drive the expansion of the industry.

SHI Consulting Role:
SHI Consulting was commissioned to perform background research; recommend attractive investment areas of the Ontario life science sector; and identify and target international companies with a potential interest in investing or expanding into Ontario.  SHI Consulting conducted an analysis of critical success factors that make Ontario an attractive location for investment, identified global market trends, and looked at key metrics to compare Ontario to other leading life sciences jurisdictions.  A major portion of this project involved consultations with life sciences industry stakeholders to determine key factors and trends, as well as the overall state of the local, national and international life sciences industries.  

Outcome:
SHI created a comprehensive three-volume report and supporting slide library outlining the competitive advantages of Ontario�s life science sector with respect to emerging and established global markets. Volume I identified trends in global markets and characterized the technologies and platforms that will form the backdrop for the Life Sciences economy.  Volume II of the report identified Ontario�s global competencies and capabilities in the established and emerging markets introduced in Volume I. Volume III of the report outlined the methodology for the creation of a database of over 4000 US and European life sciences/biotechnology companies, and the top 300 prospects for investment in Ontario.  In addition, SHI Consulting provided a customized proprietary database of venture capital companies in the United States.  A presentation and an accompanying slide library of sales tools were developed to train interdepartmental personnel and facilitate use of the strategic tools designed for the ministry.

Impact:
The ministry has used the information gathered by SHI Consulting to approach foreign companies identified on an extensive prospect list.  Additional industry representatives were hired in North America and Europe.   Since completion of the project, the region has benefited from increased investment in the life sciences sector.