The Engage 2014 Conference, which will encourage innovation and commercialization at post-secondary institutions, will be held in Halifax on Sept. 25 and may lead to other similarly themed events throughout the region.

Although the number of events in the startup space has risen dramatically in recent years, organizer Mark Taylor said there is a need for an event examining how universities and colleges spawn innovation and then turn it into young businesses.

 “Atlantic Canada has a lot of world-class research and a lot of talented entrepreneurs, and the goal of Engage is to bring them together and to help them reach the next level,” Taylor said in an interview from Fredericton.

He held his first Engage event in Saint John last October, focusing on export development as the theme. But he believes there is a bigger issue to be tackled in the region in bridging the gap between researchers and profitable businesses.

It is a problem that is often discussed in Atlantic Canada. The region’s universities employ researchers who are recognized in their fields around the world. But too often, there are problems either spinning this research into new businesses, or in linking these researchers with corporations that would benefit from research.

 “This event will break down the barriers to innovation in the region and help entrepreneurs discover what it takes to bring their ideas to life and who can help,” Taylor said.

One of the speakers at the conference will be Chuck Cartmill, CEO of LED Roadway Lighting of Halifax. Taylor said LED Roadway is a sterling example of a company that has tapped the research capacity of universities in the region and used it to produce products for the global marketplace.

The other speakers and panelists include: Dawn Jutla, founder of the master of technology entrepreneurship and innovation program at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax; Milan Vrekic, executive director at Volta; Patrick Keefe, partner at Build Ventures; Jeff Grammer, partner at Rho Canada Ventures; Permjot Valia, founder of MentorCamp; and Rob Cowan, partner at McInnes Cooper.

Taylor hopes that his Engage conference can bring people together to encourage more commercialization. He also is planning to host a series of seminars around the region under the Engage brand that will also address the potential of innovation and commercialization.

The Engage 2014 Conference will take place in an already busy week in Halifax for startup enthusiasts.

MentorCamp, a one-day, intensive mentoring session for invited startups, will take place Sept. 22, followed the next day by Startup Empire, a new event organized by Vrekic. Entrevestor and Entrepreneurs’ Forum will host a dinner Sept. 25 focusing on developing the startup ecosystem in Halifax. The following week, on Sept. 29 and 30, Invest Atlantic will take place.