Algonquin College is partnering with nine other Ontario colleges in a new innovation network to help the province's small- to mid-sized businesses commercialize their products.

The college is now a member of the Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation (CONII), along with Centennial, Conestoga, Fanshawe, George Brown, Humber, Niagara, St. Clair, Seneca and Sheridan colleges.

The network, which gives small business owners access to various types of technical expertise, is being funded by a three-year, $3.5-million grant through the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation's research commercialization program. The funding includes $609,000 for proof of principle research projects.

The group will also receive funding from other government programs such as the Ontario Centres of Excellence.

"Colleges have always maintained close contact with business and industry in order to provide highly skilled, work-ready graduates," stated Katharine Janzen, chair of the CONII steering committee and vice-president of research and innovation at Seneca College. "With CONII, we're expanding that relationship to include applied research, development and commercialization services."

Among the projects CONII is supporting this year is a partnership between Algonquin students and faculty and Nepean-based SeeWind Design Corp. to develop an environmentally friendly power management system designed to keep branch office computer systems running in the event of power failure. The joint venture is also working on a new technology that automatically shells walnuts.

Ms. Janzen said the network is aiming to complete 50 applied research projects by the end of 2009.