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Chris Mathis, P. Eng.
Manager, Knowledge Transfer
UNB -Office of Research Services
Fredericton, New Brunswick |
Chris has dedicated the last 14 years of his engineering career to fostering the global commercialization of technology from Atlantic Canada. His entrepreneurial experience in combination with a mechanical engineering degree and a diploma from UNB’s Technology Management and Entrepreneurship (TME) program have provided Chris with a broad spectrum of education and first hand experience in:
- Various markets (e.g. ICT, instrumentation, pharmaceuticals, plastics, automotive)
- Financing over $12M from angels, venture capital, ACOA, IRAP, etc.)
- Product commercialization (from prototyping to outsourced manufacturing)
The most significant portion of Chris’ background comes from founding Mathis Instruments to commercialize his wife Nancy’s Ph.D. research at UNB. The product and company have been awarded numerous distinctions including Profits’ Top 50, BDC’s Entrepreneurs of the Year and the R&D 100 Award. Chris was independently responsible for putting the groundwork in place for the early stages of this successful company. This demonstrates his unique ability to work in “white space” and create something from nothing, such as:
- Incorporating and setting up boards of advisors/directors
- Hiring and establishing compensation structures
- Developing business, product development and marketing plans and strategies
- Sourcing, negotiating and supporting global distribution channels
After Mathis was established, Chris’s role focused on product development and management of a team of engineers to meet commercial targets in a 3 year, multi-million dollar development program, using a customized Stage-Gate methodology. During that time, Chris was also the lead on:
- ISO 9001implementation
- Scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) reimbursements
- Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) applications
In setting up the business and being the sole employee for the first years at Mathis, Chris developed the “scar tissue” necessary to provide advice to others who are considering an entrepreneurial path. He has done that through:
- Advising researchers, staff and students on business start up issues and processes
- Creating and managing a 10-person group of peer entrepreneurs for 2 years
- Acting on Advisory Boards for small companies and ACOA, TME, YEA, CYBF
- Judging business plans and providing consultation to entrepreneurs
His passion to “give back” and provide his leadership extends outside the business circles to his family life. Chris is rooted in the community and is an active member of St. Mary’s Anglican Church where he is Warden.
His current role with UNB is to provide both advanced technologies and access to the research brain trust at UNB to industry, improving market competitiveness, and to support and encourage a culture of collaborative research and innovation in the region.
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