The Waterloo Accelerator Centre Joins Canadian Digital Media Network to Contribute to Digital Media Innovation
The Waterloo Accelerator Centre, today announced that it has joined the Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN) a cross-Canada network of digital media innovation nodes collaborating to advance digital innovation nationally.
Through membership in this unique national network, The Waterloo Accelerator Centre will gain domestic and international market exposure for the organization and its client companies. Waterloo Accelerator Centre will also benefit from having access to unique services that enable the facility and its clients to leverage proven regional programming and best practices of network members. Joining Canada’s largest members-only online collaboration of commercialization resources immediately expands the node’s client support capability, while enabling national access to the Waterloo Accelerator Centre’s regional resources.
“The CDMN was initiated in 2009 and has since grown to become a national ecosystem that nurtures and grows Canadian digital media companies,” said Kevin Tuer, CDMN Managing Director. “We connect like-minded organizations that provide commercialization resources to Canadian information and communications (ICT) and mobile startups and to small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country. Together, we provide access to the knowledge, connections, services and support that digital media companies need to successfully innovate and to market themselves at home and abroad.
“We’re delighted to bring on board another organization dedicated to furthering Canada’s competitiveness in the global digital economy, and to advancing commercialization of digital media innovations.”
“The Waterloo Accelerator Centre has developed and commercialized the Accelerator Program’s proven formula for growing early stage companies, we look forward to collaborating with the other CDMN nodes to further support Canada’s growing start-up ecosystem,” Tim Ellis, CEO Accelerator Centre.
Effective today, The Waterloo Accelerator Centre will be a channel for driving participation in national initiatives that support the commercialization of innovation. Applications are expected to be open in July 2013 for the CDMN Soft-Landing Program, an initiative for mature startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who can benefit from a getting a toe-hold outside Canada to expand their businesses. To learn more, visit softlanding.cdmn.ca.
Another major initiative is CDMN Canada 3.0, Canada’s only national digital media conference focused on the commercialization of innovation, is taking place May 14 & 15 in Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Featuring world-class keynote speakers like Chris Anderson and Jane McGonigal, sharing success stories like the NASA Curiosity Rover social media campaign and Disney’s acquisition of Canadian startup Club Penguin, as well as peer-to-peer mentoring events, crowd-sourced and user driven content, and a vibrant showcase of innovation in the interactive exhibit hall, early bird pricing is available until March 1. For more details, visit www.cdmn.ca/canada30.
About The Canadian Digital Media Network
The Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN) www.cdmn.ca, a federal Centre of Excellence in Commercialization and Research (CECR), is dedicated to establishing Canada as a world leader in digital media (ICT + mobile) by creating and enabling connections and collaboration between entrepreneurs, companies, research institutes, government and intermediary organizations across the country. CDMN helps bring more digital media solutions to market to create more companies, jobs and wealth in Canada. Follow @CDMN on Twitter, join the Canadian Digital Media Network Group on LinkedIn and like the Canadian Digital Media Network Page on Facebook.
The Accelerator Centre, located within Waterloo’s David Johnston Research and Technology Park, is a world-renowned, award-winning facility dedicated to developing and commercializing technology start-ups. Through its Accelerator Program, early-stage companies located at the Accelerator Centre and the Communitech Hub receive seamless support services, including access to office facilities, coaching and mentoring, education, connections to capital, networking, R&D support and outreach, talent recruitment, technology transfer assistance, and commercialization expertise, enabling technology start-ups to move to market faster, create jobs and stimulate economic activity. Visit us on the web at www.acceleratorcentre.com.
Waterloo, ON – February 14, 2013
Media Contact
Shelley Grandy, CDMN Sr. PR Advisor, 905-866-2656 or sgrandy@cdmn.ca
Deb Domjan, Accelerator Centre, Director Marketing & Operations, 519-342-2400 or ddomjan@acceleratorcentre.com