The intelliFLEX Innovation Alliance and the Smart Textile and Wearables Innovation Alliance (STWIA) have reached an agreement whereby intelliFLEX has assumed leadership of the STWIA as part of a new initiative to drive Canada’s wearables and smart textiles industry.
STWIA was launched as part of the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC) work in printable electronics, with 19 members in April 2016 as part of its industry engagement to foster ecosystem, job and wealth growth. The STWIA aimed to connect industry members to develop supply chains.
The STWIA now represents some 90 members across the country consisting of companies, universities, government and not-for-profit organizations. Past activities have included webinars and regional gatherings in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.
These events have facilitated information sharing, networking and discussion. After holding consultations on how the STWIA should structure itself moving forward, members voted in July to join intelliFLEX. Members recognized that they share many of the industry challenges faced by the broader flexible and hybrid electronics industry that are being addressed by intelliFLEX. One third of intelliFLEX’s 100 members work with smart textiles and wearables.
All STWIA memberships will be transitioned to intellIiFLEX and the STWIA structure phased out. STWIA members are being encouraged to join intelliFLEX’s new intelliWEAR program.
Launch of intelliWEAR
According to the announcement intelliWEAR is a wearables and smart textiles accelerator program. Its goal is to bring together effective supply chain stakeholders to create awareness, educate, and facilitate the broad adoption of solutions enabled by printable, flexible or hybrid electronics for sports, fashion, healthcare and industrial applications. intelliWEAR unites leading organizations across value chains, to collaboratively explore, evaluate and mobilise innovative solutions.
The program will be managed by the intelliWEAR Leadership Council, which is being formed in September to represent key stakeholders. The program is modelled after the very successful intelliPACK program that has been in operations for the last 18 months.
"We value the close working relationship we have always had with the NRC."
"Thomas and his team have laid a great foundation on which to build a strong ecosystem to support the growth of the wearables and smart textiles sector across Canada, tied into the US and into global markets. We welcome STWIA members and look forward to working with them through the intelliWEAR Leadership Council."
Peter Kallai, President and CEO of intelliFLEX
"This is an exciting time for the smart textile and wearables sector in Canada, and joining IntelliFLEX, a professional industry association, demonstrates the maturity of the sector."
"Through intelliWEAR, members will be able to build bespoke programs, lobby government and help the sector scale in Canada."
Thomas Ducellier, Executive Director of printable electronics