Seven Calgary-based companies receive over $2.5 million for technology commercialization
CALGARY, May 24, 2017 /CNW/ - Seven Calgary-based technology companies will receive over $2.5 million in federal government support to help market and supply their products to the global marketplace, while creating over 70 local jobs.
Through this investment, these companies have developed solutions that will improve access to health diagnostic systems, clean water, and business communication systems, as well as provide more intuitive products for musicians and interior decorators.
David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, made the announcement today on the Minister's behalf during a visit to Innovate Calgary.
Today's announcement supports western-based companies that develop cutting-edge technology, create jobs, and spur the economy. Funding for these Calgary-based companies is part of several successful projects announced under the Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative. The program provides $100 million in repayable contributions to small- and medium-sized enterprises in Western Canada. Since 2014, WD has invested nearly $97 million through WINN and expects to create over 1,600 jobs across the West.
The Government's Innovation Agenda aims to make Canada a global centre for innovation – one that drives economic growth by creating better jobs, opportunities, and living standards for all Canadians. This investment is an example of that vision in action.
PS Lametti will also deliver a keynote speech on the Government's Innovation Superclusters Initiative at Dynamic Source Manufacturing. This $950-million program, designed to jumpstart innovation in high-growth areas where Canada is a world leader, will select up to five innovation superclusters.
Superclusters are dense areas of business activity where innovation happens and where many of the jobs of today and tomorrow are created. They attract large and small companies that collaborate with universities, colleges or not-for-profit organizations to turn ideas into solutions that can be brought to market.
The initiative is part of the Government's Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to make this country a world-leading centre for innovation, create more well-paying jobs and grow the middle class.
Quick fact
- The Innovation and Skills Plan includes $950 million over five years to create innovation superclusters.
Quotes
"Calgary has again proven that it is a home to a diverse community of innovators. These new technology companies are demonstrating that economic growth is possible in many industries. Our Government is a champion of innovation at all stages in the ecosystem and the WINN funding helps these organizations get beyond a critical stage in their product development."
- David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Member of Parliament for LaSalle—Émard—Verdun
"Since spinning out of the University of Calgary, the Government of Canada has been supporting us every step of the way. This WINN funding has allowed Zephyr Sleep Technologies to accelerate the launch of MATRx Plus to Canadian healthcare providers".
- Paul Cataford, Founder & CEO, Zephyr Sleep Technologies
"iConnectivity is honoured to have the financial endorsement of the Government of Canada. This nod builds upon our success in becoming the number one provider of MIDI interfaces in the world. We're especially excited about how our upcoming product line will create a more connected creative environment for musicians. This investment will help us to commercialize more rapidly."
- Eric Galcher, President, iConnectivity
"Canada is full of innovative ideas, however it is challenging for small business start-ups to get financing or investment; which is why funding like this is key to progressing Canada forward in the global economy. We would not have been able to advance our technology so quickly, had it not been for our WINN funding."
- J.R. Brooks, Director of Operations, IWR Technologies Inc.
"WINN funding has enabled Oral4D Systems to expand our clinical documentation and analytics solutions into a larger segment of the dental market. It has accelerated our ability to address new market opportunities."
- Dr. Hisham Badawi, President, Oral 4D
"At Under the Roof Decorating Inc. (UTR), we design, market and sell innovative products that make picture hanging and wall decorating easy. Our revolutionary new Place&Push™ technology lets you hang picture frames in seconds - and we are thrilled to have WINN's support to bring this innovative technology to market in a big way."
- Kelly Krake, President and CEO, Under the Roof Decorating
"Since the founding of Calgary Scientific, we have pushed to be innovative in solving complex technological issues with creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. This support will enable us to continue employing Canadians and growing our uniquely innovative team, with which we have secured over 40 patents."
- Dave Waldrop, CRO, Calgary Scientific.
"As in most cases, innovators and startup companies suffer under incredible financial pressure to launch their ideas and take their product to market. In Dakota's case, the award and support from WINN to offset the monies that had been raised internally, has been nothing short of 'life saving.' Through the WINN program, we have completed several critical milestones and now have our product coming off the assembly line and into the hands of potential customers around the world."
- Vaughan Payne, President & Partner, Dakota Supplies Inc.
Backgrounder
Government of Canada Announces $2.5 Million for Calgary technology companies
May 24, 2017 – Calgary, Alberta – Western Economic Diversification Canada
WINN is a $100 million five-year federal initiative that offers repayable contributions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with operations in Western Canada, in order to help move their new and innovative technologies from the later stages of research and development to the marketplace.
The intent of WINN is to promote the development and diversification of the western Canadian economy by providing financial support to qualified SMEs to help them accelerate the commercialization of innovative products, processes, and services in Western Canada and by stimulating greater private sector investment in western Canadian commercialization activities.
By helping to seize opportunities for innovation, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) will support the creation of jobs and growth while ensuring that new opportunities for success are realized and new products, processes, and services are brought from the test bench to the marketplace.
Today's announcement is for seven WINN projects in the Calgary area:
| Project Proponent |
Project Description |
Western Innovation Initiative Funding |
| Calgary Scientific Inc. (CSI) |
PureWeb Silk will build on the cloud enablement capabilities of CSI's PureWeb software platform for collaboration and file sharing between professionals, clients, and others. Through a web browser, PureWeb Silk integrates applications such as audio and video conferencing, application sharing, and sharing of image galleries within one interface. |
$412,288 |
| Dakota Supplies Inc. |
Commercialize MOPPITT, an all-in-one commercial mop will that will reduce the risk of cross-contamination and is compact enough to fit in places with limited storage space such as aircrafts, emergency vehicles, and buses. |
$300,021 |
| iKingdom Corporation |
Commercialize and market its iConnectMIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) that can share music across platforms, simultaneously, and in real-time allowing musicians to record music from various sources such as guitars, vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, drum machines, and computers and mix them into one piece of music. |
$242,500 |
| IWR Technologies Ltd. |
Commercialize an ultrasonic water recycling process that extracts clean reusable water from manure on-site, making the manure 75 per cent lighter. The technology provides dairy and hog operations with additional water resources, helps them to realize transportation cost savings, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from storage of manure by 38 per cent. |
$100,190 |
| Oral4D Systems Ltd. |
Develop, prototype, and launch Aligner4D, Orthoguide, and Dental 4D software through a web-based application. The software will make access to treatment information more efficient, provide complete 3D models of dental charts, and allow professionals a wide range of functions for analyzing and displaying patient data over time. |
$497,000 |
| Under the Roof Decorating Inc. |
Commercialize new décor products that make art and photo installations easier and prevent damage to walls. The company will also develop and commercialize a mobile app called DecoPreview that will allow users to preview how a room will look after the item is installed. |
$500,000 |
| Zephyr Sleep Technologies Inc. |
Commercialize an at-home sleep diagnostic system that will analyze which people with sleep apnea may be better candidates for oral appliance therapy (OAT) instead of more invasive treatments. The technology could replace trial and error methods used to test effectiveness of OAT in sleep laboratories and clinics, thus reducing diagnostic time and costs. |
$496,000 |
| Total Funding |
$2,547,999 |
|
Additional Links
Follow us on Twitter: @WD_Canada, @MinisterISED
WD Homepage
WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388
IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.
SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada
Donna Kinley, Manager, Consultation, Marketing and Communications, Western Economic Diversification Canada - Alberta Region, 780-902-2984, [email protected]; Karl W. Sasseville, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-2500; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]
Share this article