The Innovation Centre
The Innovation Centre (IC) is focused on fostering collaboration and technology growth to accelerate the development of the innovation-driven economy across the province and the Atlantic Region.
The Innovation Centre is an initiative born out of the innovation community and broader ecosystem. It is supported by techNL, in partnership with Energy NL, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC), and Energy Research & Innovation Newfoundland & Labrador (ERINL) with support from many other companies, organizations, and volunteers.
Together, we are building a globally focused, but NL-driven, world-leading Innovation Centre that integrates, increases and diversifies the province’s innovation capacity. More information can be found at https://technl.ca/innovationcentre/.
The Location and Building
The IC is located at 710 Torbay Road, St. John’s, NL (access will be from Torbay Road or White Rose Drive). It is ideally located near the airport, with highway access, and nearby many industry partners. There is a large open parking lot, that is free for visitor use.
The IC is a renovated, 54,143 sq ft building, strategically situated centrally within a growing innovation district, with companies such as Verafin and Exxon located nearby. It will be a collaborative physical space, designed to address the technology development needs of industry and established and growing companies through unique programming, access to special technology assets, proximity to other innovators, provision of opportunities for collaboration, and as a demonstration space providing visibility.
Coffee Vendor Location & Services
We are seeking to partner with an established NL business that will lease and operate a cafe within the front reception and lounge space of the IC (we consider this space to be a public convening, collaboration, and celebration space). The front reception & lounge account for a total of 1,356 sq ft (about half the area of a tennis court), with assorted seating and spaces for working, meeting, & socializing (see appendices for renderings). The reception area and boardroom will remain usable space for members of the Innovation Centre.
To enhance the experience and environment for our members, partners, and the broader community, we are looking for a business that strives to offer unique, innovative, high-quality food and beverages. The core objectives and what is required to proceed are identified below.
Objectives
• To partner with and lease cafe space to an innovative business that is committed to developing and offering a unique food and beverage experience for IC members, partners, and the broader community.
• To support the expansion of an existing local business, whose vision and philosophy align with those of the Innovation Centre.
All members and partners of the innovation centre should be aligned with the overarching philosophy of “converge, collaborate, cocreate”. We are looking for an established business who is passionate about pursuing new and innovative activities. We are particularly interested in businesses that are open to engaging in the innovation ecosystem we are developing and supporting. While we are looking to partner in setting up a cafe, we are always interested in supporting and amplifying home-grown innovation across all industries. If there are opportunities for us to expand our partnership in ways that align with our mandate, we would be open to exploring in the future.
Schedule
• RFP release date: February 7, 2024
• RFP due date: Friday, February 23, 2024
• Decision communicated: February 23, 2024