Four Greater Montréal video animation and interactive multimedia businesses will continue their growth

The Government of Canada awards nearly one million dollars in funding to projects by L'Atelier Animation, Luckyhammers Entertainment, Eye-In and Tonic DNA

MONTRÉAL, Nov. 2, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

L'Atelier Animation Inc., Luckyhammers Entertainment Inc., Eye-In Inc. and Tonic DNA will receive a total of $900,000 in repayable contributions from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. Their respective projects will generate a total investment of over $4.1 million and result in the creation of nearly 160 new high-quality jobs in the Greater Montréal area.

This funding was announced today by the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount. The Government of Canada's assistance will help the recipient businesses expand and achieve their objectives with respect to marketing their innovative products.

With this financial assistance, L'Atelier Animation, a studio specializing in the creation of computer‑generated imagery, special effects and 3D animation, will be able to expand its facilities and purchase specialized software and state-of-the-art equipment. Luckyhammers, which has undergone a major technological shift to become a technology company dedicated to the development of video games and virtual reality experiences, has set up the first virtual reality room using StarVR technology in Canada. Information technology and marketing firm Eye-In Media will be able to propel the roll out of their presence marketing platform geared towards the future of retailing, which consolidates multiple online and offline communications channels and cultivates personalized in-store customer relationships, by expanding its marketing activities outside of Quebec as well as broadening beyond its traditional distribution channels. Tonic DNA, which provides premium 2D, 3D and stop-motion animation services, will be able to develop and break into international markets by purchasing computer equipment and completing marketing activities.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting innovative Canadian businesses. A driving force of the economy, innovation is the key to success because it generates growth that benefits both businesses and communities. That is why we make sure businesses can rely on adequate resources to create and market innovative products.

Quotes

"By helping businesses invest in equipment and tools that will make them more productive, and by encouraging product marketing and market development projects, the Government of Canada is remaining true to its commitments of stimulating expansion, innovation and exporting. I am also delighted to know that these projects will contribute to creating nearly 160 quality jobs in the Greater Montréal area."

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount

"By supporting L'Atelier Animation, Luckyhammers Entertainment, Eye-In and Tonic DNA, the Government of Canada is helping these businesses acquire the equipment they need to develop innovative technologies and processes that will benefit Canadian businesses in the film and virtual gaming industries. These businesses will then be able to build on innovation—a significant economic driver and a pillar of growth that benefits communities."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED

"L'Atelier Animation is currently experiencing significant growth, and technological services need to keep pace. As a Quebec studio, L'Atelier will use CED's funding to acquire state-of-the-art 3D animation technology and strengthen its position among industry leaders."

Peter Skovsbo, General Manager, L'Atelier Animation

"Technological development enables innovative businesses to stand out and to position themselves in increasingly competitive markets. This results in the creation of local jobs, the mastery of new technologies, the acquisition of skills, and undeniable economic benefits for Canadians. Through the Government of Canada's development program, Luckyhammers will create nearly fifty jobs, 24 of which we have already created in the past 12 months, and we are now planning the second phase."

Marc-Antoine Pinard, Chief Executive Officer, Luckyhammers

"In an era that values customer experience and digital transformation, we want to improve the way retailers gain insight into who their customers are, enabling them to achieve 1-to-1 communications and higher profitability. This funding helps us expand our business markets while staying independent in the execution of our vision. We are a passionate team with Retail in our DNA looking to build on our 15 years of servicing customer facing business. As such, the DEC program helps fuel our innovation and growth."

Nathalie Azoulay, President, Eye-In

"Beyond its financial contribution, CED's involvement is a strong motivator, and it increases our confidence in our ability to get our projects off the ground."

Bernard Lajoie, Executive Producer, Tonic DNA

Quick facts

• Today's announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development portfolio, which brings together 17 federal departments and agencies, including CED and the five other regional development agencies.
• The funding was awarded through CED's Quebec Economic Development Program. For more information on CED and its priorities, consult the 2018–2019 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca.
• The year 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of federal regional economic development in Quebec: half a century of concrete action dedicated to the development of the regions and local businesses.
• The Quebec film and television industry is a major economic sector, accounting for 33,000 jobs and 500 businesses. These businesses generate an average annual business volume of $1.5 billion.
• The global visual effects and animation industry is growing rapidly, as major studios constantly strive to increase their box-office receipts. Quebec is now a key player in this sector, recording job growth of 190% over the past five years and an increase in business volume of 27% annually since 2009. In 2017, Quebec generated contracts worth a total of $262 million and employed 3,000 people in some 40 different businesses.
• Concentrated in Montreal, the Quebec ecosystem is one of the most creative and high‑performing in the world, and is also renowned for the quality of its workers and the presence of a number of major studios, thus creating a critical mass of film industry companies that showcase Montreal's expertise globally.
• In 2017, the Canadian video game industry accounted for 21,700 full-time jobs, compared with 20,400 in 2015, an increase of 6%. Of these jobs, approximately 10,000 (46%) were in Quebec.
• For more information about the four projects, please refer to the attached backgrounder.

Backgrounder

Proponent	Contribution – Investment – Description of the project
L'Atelier Animation Inc.	Repayable contribution of $450,000 out of a total investment of $1,982,000    L'Atelier Animation is an animation studio that specializes in the creation of computer-generated imagery, special effects and 3D animation for the production of feature-length and short animated films and television series.   The goal of the project is to expand L'Atelier Animation's studio facilities and purchase equipment. The key activities to be undertaken as part of the project are purchasing and installing computer equipment, tools and materials, leasehold improvement work, and employee training.   The project will create 72 full-time jobs.
Luckyhammers Entertainment Inc.	Repayable contribution of $75,000 out of a total investment of $250,000   Luckyhammers is a Montréal-based technology company dedicated to the development of mobile and virtual reality (VR) games.   The project aims to expand Luckyhammers through the purchase of computer and virtual reality equipment in order to set up the first virtual reality room using StarVR technology in Canada and increase its production capacity.   CED's contribution will go toward the purchase of the computer and virtual reality equipment, including a server, computers and virtual reality headsets, required to set up the virtual reality room and increase the company's production capacity.   The project has created 24 full-time jobs.
Eye-In Inc.	Repayable contribution of $250,000 out of a total investment of $1,050,000   Eye-In is an information technology company that specializes in the development and implementation of digital signage and smart Wi-Fi solutions, including an omnichannel platform for proximity marketing. Eye-In develops state-of-the-art software to revolutionize communication strategies.   The goal of the project is to implement a marketing strategy in the United States for the software solutions designed and developed by Eye-In, primarily for retail stores and fast‑food chains.   CED's support will help Eye-In hire a business development resource, develop marketing materials for trade shows and to attract new clients, update its website, and activate/optimize e-commerce, online marketing and search engines to promote the website and maximize the use of social networks.   The project will create 10 full-time jobs.
Tonic DNA	Repayable contribution of $125,000 out of a total investment of $806,840   Tonic DNA is an animation studio that specializes in the production of premium 2D animation, 3D animation and stop-motion services, primarily for high‑profile clients in advertising and animated series with major studios.   The goal of the project is to expand the company through the purchase of equipment and the implementation of an international marketing strategy, with a focus on the United States, Mexico and Europe. The key activities to be undertaken as part of the project are purchasing computer equipment and completing marketing activities.   CED's contribution will go toward the purchase of computer equipment and materials, the hiring of additional sales staff, and participation in trade events.   The project will create 50 full-time jobs.
Summary	Number of projects: 4 Number of jobs created: 156 CED's contributions: $900,000 Total investments generated by these projects: $4,088,840

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, 514-283-7443, [email protected]