Government & Crown Corporations

As a former public servant at the Provincial and Federal levels and a Master of Public Policy (SFU), Aaron Cruikshank, Principal of Friuch Consulting understands the challenges and operational realities of your agency, ministry or crown corporation. Friuch Consulting specializes in advising agencies that have a Science and Technology mandate.

Prior work has included cluster studies, program reviews, project management and policy review. Areas of specialization include public utilities, citizen/stakeholder engagement, science & technology, oil & gas, natural resources, public safety and education policy.

In addition to providing consulting services to government, Aaron Cruikshank has been an expert panelist at several government public engagement events sponsored by the Federal Government.

Read more below about Friuch's work with clients in this sector, or use the list to the right to navigate to the organizations that interest you most.

Canadian Institute for Market Intelligence

Aaron's services were retained by CIMI in 2004/2005 to help the organization plan and deliver an Integrated Technology Initiative for British Columbia. While neither CIMI not the Integrated Technology Initiative have survived since 2005, the project was a success from the perspective that it brought together more than 400 of BC’s best minds in science and technology to develop a forward-looking strategy for technology commercialization in Western Canada.

Aaron served as a Project Manager to the Integrated Technology Initiative under contract to CIMI. His role included eliciting feedback from subject matter experts, liaising with the cluster study consultants in the US and providing high-level analysis on the outcomes which fed into the final report.

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National Research Council

Since 2003, through alliance partners like Dr. Alan Cornford and David J. Roughley, Aaron Cruikshank, Principal of Friuch Consulting has worked on several projects for the National Research Council. These projects are typically cluster or market studies focusing on a specific geographic region (eg. Western Canada) or a specific technology (e.g. Nanotechnology).

Specific projects have included a national assessment of nanotechnology activity, a review of previous NRC IRAP investment in private companies, an analysis of Alberta’s venture capital market and an analysis of publicly funded research in BC.

In addition to direct work for the National Research Council, Friuch Consulting helps small companies leverage NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program grants to explore new high tech market opportunities. More information about this work is detailed under “Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises”.

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BC Ministry of Economic Development

Since 2003, Friuch has provided consulting services through alliance partners to the BC Ministry of Economic Development. Between 2001 and 2003 Aaron Cruikshank, Principal of Friuch Consulting worked as a Research Analyst for the Science Council of BC (under the Ministry of Science and Technology).

These projects, like prior work for the National Research Council are typically cluster or market studies focusing on a specific geographic region (eg. Western Canada) or a specific technology (eg. Nanotechnology).

In many cases, the Ministry has existing intelligence on a sector or region but it is either badly out of date or hasn’t been analyzed in the context of the larger sector or regional economy.

“We co-authored a comprehensive study looking at access to early stage capital in the life sciences space. His knowledge of the innovation economy was second to none. His analytical and research abilities were instrumental in the final authorship of our paper. I would work with Aaron on a similar project without hesitation.” Mark Mawhinney

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Prime Minister's Advisory Council on Science and Technology – Industry Canada

In 2005, Friuch helped the PMACST and Industry Canada undertake a preliminary assessment of Canada's industrial activity levels in nanotechnology in order to position Canada with respect to competitor countries and to guide policies that aim to support economic competitiveness.

The project was a success and gave PMACST and Industry Canada good intelligence before embarking on a nanotechnology trade mission to Asia.

Leading Edge BC

In 2003, through an alliance partnership, Friuch Consulting helped Leading Edge BC re-structure its funding mechanisms for technology sector councils and industry bodies to best represent the needs of British Columbia. The resulting re-organization is still currently the model used by the Ministry of Economic Development.

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Clients