The Talent First Network is a province-wide initiative that enables the transfer of (i) open source technology, (ii) knowledge about competing in open environments, and (iii) talented students with skills in the commercialization of open source assets from academic institutions to Ontario’s companies and open source communities.
The Talent First Network was launched in July of 2006 with the financial support of the Ministry of Research and Innovation's Ontario Research Commercialization Program.
The Talent First Network is led by Professor Tony Bailetti who is with Carleton University's Technology Innovation Management Program. It benefits from the active participation of (i) executives of technology companies, (ii) professors and students in engineering, computer science, information technology, science, and business faculties, (iii) directors of open source foundations, (iv) leaders of open source projects and user communities, and (v) public organizations that support wealth creation through innovation.
The Talent First Network also benefits greatly from the the technology and social innovation initiatives supported by Luc Lalande and the Foundry Program.