The Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation hired Invoke to facilitate a meeting of key stakeholders to identify, and create consensus on, goals and strategies for a neutral and not-for-profit International Composite Centre that leverages Ontario’s strengths in its global markets.

"The involvement of Jeremy Heigh in our research proposal planning activities was invaluable," said Dr. Peter Frise, Executive Director of Automotive Research and Studies, University of Windsor and CEO of Auto 21. "Jeremy was able to draw out the real needs and perspectives of each of the parties in the consortium and bring them to the fore so that people could exchange views in an effective manner."

Peter McCormack, North America Sales Manager for Dieffenbacher Group and champion of the consortium commented on the sessions saying, "Invoke moderated a strong group of industrialists, members of government and academia. The planning demonstrated a good sense of forethought and allowed for all parties to have an active voice within the fast-paced session."

In the end close to ten industrial partners and government agencies agreed to move forward with the concept. If realized, the proposed Centre could provide a much needed injection of new market potential and hopefully inspire a seemingly rudderless North American auto industry.

Invoke helped the Alberta Centre for Livestock Genomics assess the economic potential of its strategic business plan to develop genetic markers that target specific livestock characteristics. They wanted to know what it might mean (economically) if the Centre achieved everything it set out to accomplish.

"A key part of moving a new idea and technology forward is helping stakeholders understand the value proposition," said Brian Rhiness, Chief Development Officers of the Centre. "This work will assist that process."

Given just three weeks to do the work, there was little room for model building and desk jockey analysis. Instead Invoke went straight to those that know best - animal producers, processors, and retailers. Ten industry experts were interviewed over the space of four days. The fodder for conversation was a synthesis of 21 international economic analyses conducted in similar jurisdictions.

As the results came together the information was feed back to the key team. "I very much appreciated the open and professional manner that Invoke used with the team," said Rhiness. "Invoke worked with the team to understand our needs and help us flesh them out. The communication during the work phase was very useful in ensuring we were getting the information we needed and that we were connecting with the right stakeholders."

End results suggest the Centre will have a significant and positive economic impact if pursued. Results from similar work conducted in Australia suggest a 30:1 benefit to cost ratio. Such paybacks are incredibly rare in agriculture, a business dominated by thin margins. Australia benefited most from a few early wins that drove up the result, but even a more conservative estimates such significant value.

Genomics technology has potential benefits in healthfulness, disease resistance, feed efficiency, manure and methane reduction, and heightened traceability. If it can achieve half of what it's set out to do, it will be of great benefit to Canada.

These tools help us aggregate and sift data to provide always-on, analytical capacity to investors and companies seeking investment.

We leverage real-time intelligence and foresight to identify gaps, facilitate transitions, and execute strategies.

Who We Are

Jeremy Heigh is Invoke's principal economist. He has an MSc in environmental economics and a broad range of experience in international negotiations, national policy design, corporate strategy, venture investment, and startups.

Whenever possible, Invoke includes specialized capacities in chemistry, biology, psychology, industrial ecology, and economics as well as industry experts in agriculture, forestry, composite materials, and environmental technologies to complement our own in-house capacity.

The company has operated since 2002.

Where We Work

Our offices are in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Most of our clients are in the province but we do work across the country and internationally. We are actively looking for opportunities in Australia and New Zealand; Ireland and Scotland; and Finland, Sweden, and Denmark.

Foresight and analysis from economists

We invest heavily in technologies that enable always-on information to a handpicked group of clients. Our core business interests are in integrated resource management (specifically water, forestry, and agriculture) as it relates to genomics, industrial chemistry, energy, and biodiversity.

To refine our internal intelligence and foresight capacity, we are seeking capacity in machine learning, IRM data gathering and management, and biomimicry-based consulting.

If you are curious or have any questions, please call (+1-780-669-3607) or email us.