Minister Chagger Announces Government of Canada Investments in Three Innovative Businesses in Manitoba

Western Innovation Initiative funding will help companies quickly move their ideas to market  

WINNIPEG, May 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Western Economic Diversification Canada

Three innovative businesses in Manitoba will be able to get their products to market faster and more efficiently with today's Government of Canada investment of $4.5 million.

The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism, today announced that three Winnipeg companies will receive financial support under the Western Innovation Initiative (WINN). As a result of these investments, Complex Games, a game company, will be able to take its product to the digital market. While Sightline Innovation, an advanced machine-learning company, will be able to commercialize its quality control product. And GORP, an energy bar company based in Niverville, will be able to produce a ready-mix energy bar product that will reach a broader market. 

As these companies move their products from the research and development to the marketplace, more than 90 jobs are expected to be created for Canada's middle class.

The funding announced today showcases the Government of Canada's commitment to developing innovation in Canada.  It builds on competitive regional advantages while promoting western Canadian business interests in the international marketplace.

Minister Chagger made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada.  

These investments are among several successful projects being announced under the Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative. The program provides $100 million in repayable contributions to small- and medium-sized companies in Western Canada. Eligible companies can apply for funding to support activities that move ideas to market more quickly.

Budget 2017 introduced Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan, an ambitious effort to make Canada a world-leading centre for innovation, to help create more well-paying jobs, and help strengthen and grow the middle class.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to support these innovative Manitoba companies as they generate economic growth, create jobs, and further the innovation landscape. Sightline Innovation, Complex Games and The Great GORP Project demonstrate the drive, determination and creative talent that contribute to making Canada a world leading innovation economy."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada.

"The Government of Canada is proud to support innovative Manitoba small and medium-sized enterprises like Sightline Innovation, Complex Games, and The Great GORP Project. The products and technologies being showcased today are examples of how Canadian companies are investing in innovation, driving growth, and creating good middle-class jobs in Manitoba and across Western Canada."
- The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism

"Sightline Innovation is pleased to receive the support of the federal government, through the Western Innovation Initiative, for its artificial intelligence and advanced sensors platform. Since moving to western Canada our development efforts and client engagement have accelerated through the hire of a highly skilled international team and a collaborative business-led artificial intelligence and machine learning environment. We have found that international programmers who move to western Canada to further their studies are among the best in the world and more than happy to plant roots in the region if the work is here.

"This investment by the federal government supports the expansion of Sightline's platform into the manufacturing space, providing AI-driven quality assurance processes to help usher Canadian businesses into Industry 4.0. Connecting a "smart" sensor with unprecedented inspection capabilities to machine-learning software that becomes more accurate over time will drive efficiency, encourage innovation, and help Canadian manufacturers compete on the world stage."
- Wally Trenholm, CEO, Sightline Innovation

"The WINN program has been essential for creating opportunities for Canadian firms to develop their own technology and products for sale on the global market.  We are extremely grateful to have received support under this program as it is crucial for accelerating our long-term growth potential and competitiveness."
- Noah Decter-Jackson, CEO and Creative Director, Complex Games Inc.

"Without the funding I received from the WINN program I'm certain that I would not have been able to move forward with my new product development and equipment purchase. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity this funding has opened up.  I will be able to grow my company and create more job opportunities in my community because of it!"
- Colleen Dyck, CEO, The Great GORP Project Inc.

Additional Links

• Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative
• Sightline Innovation
• Complex Games Inc.
• The Great GORP Project Inc.

Backgrounder

Government of Canada Announces $4.5 Million for Innovative Manitoba Businesses

May 13, 2017 – Winnipeg, Manitoba – 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.

Today's announcement is for three WINN projects in Winnipeg area:

Project Proponent	Project Description	Western Innovation Initiative Funding
Complex Games Inc.	To develop and commercialize a cutting-edge narrative-driven video game for the digital market.	$1,000,000
Sightline Innovation	To commercialize an advanced machine-learning quality-control product and an accompanying optical sensor.	$3,465,792
The Great GORP Project Inc.	To commercialize a ready-mix energy bar product and expand export sales to the United States.	$   77,500
TOTAL PROJECT FUNDING		$4,543,292

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.

Additional Links

• Complex Games Inc.
• Sightline Innovation
• The Great GORP Project Inc.
• Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative

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SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada

Karl W. Sasseville, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-2500; Jonathan Dignan, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Small Business and Tourism, 343-291-2700; Lorne Pelletier, Director, Policy, Planning and External Relations, Western Economic Diversification Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 204-510-7659, [email protected]