Tag: Accelerator Centre Graduate

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Deep Trekker and Eventastic extend AC's Graduate track record to 40!

Waterloo (Ontario), CANADA, September 17, 2014 – World renowned for its cultivation of technology entrepreneurship, Waterloo’s Accelerator Centre (AC) announced today the graduation of Deep Trekker and Eventastic. The companies, which become the 39th and 40th start-ups to graduate from the AC’s globally recognized tech accelerator program, will be honoured today in front of more than 200 guests at the 2014 AC Client Showcase.

 

Deep-Trekker_logoDeep Trekker is on a mission to give anyone on earth the ability to explore the depths of our vast oceans, seas, lakes and rivers with its small, affordable remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The company is an emerging leader in the global unmanned underwater vehicles market, valued at $457 million in 2014, with a compound annual growth rate in excess of 30 percent.

Eventastic_logoFounded by serial entrepreneur Randy Bird, Eventastic is a powerful online event planning and event management platform, designed to help event organizers plan and execute highly successful events. Eventastic helps event organizers and planners fill more seats, drive more traffic, generate more revenue and raise more funds – all while tracking, rewarding and motivating volunteers and employees to succeed like never before.

“We are incredibly proud of our track record for success, and in our program’s ability to shape and grow strong, sustainable businesses,” says Accelerator Centre CEO Paul Salvini. “With their graduation today, Deep Trekker and Eventastic join a growing list of Accelerator Centre graduates and tech success stories that include Clearpath Robotics, Kik, Miovision, Top Hat Monocle.”

About the Accelerator Centre

The Accelerator Centre (AC) is dedicated to building and commercializing technology startups. The AC provides an essential combination of mentorship, educational programming, professional office space, networking, and access to funding, with a goal of building successful companies. Over a 2- to-3 year period, we help entrepreneurs move from start-up to scale-up, accelerate their time to market, and attract customers, investment and revenue.

Since 2006, the Accelerator Centre has developed and nurtured over 130 early-stage technology start-ups, creating 1100+ new jobs and generating over $120 million in revenue. Forty companies have graduated from the Accelerator Centre, and more than 85 percent of these companies have remained in Waterloo Region. For more information visit our website at www.acceleratorcentre.com.

Social Media Links
Follow us on Twitter @AC_Waterloo
Join us on LinkedIn

For further information, please contact:
Ellyn Winters-Robinson
Communications Advisor, Accelerator Centre
Phone: 519-574-2196
Email: ewinters-robinson@acceleratorcentre.com
@ellynjane

 

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AC Grad TribeHR Recieves 2.5 Million in Funding

TribeHR, a company that provides virtual HR services, just announced it has raised $2.5 million in funding, bringing its total to $3.6 million.

The company provides HR software to small and medium-sized businesses. It provides support in recruiting, managing vacation days, remembering salary history, and other tasks. The price range from $2 to $10 a user per month.

Read more here.

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Accelerator Centre Graduate Clearpath Robotics Headed to US for 48hrs in the Valley This June

Source: www.techvibes.com
Author: Knowlton Thomas

C100 Unveils the 15 Startups Heading to US for 48hrs in the Valley This June         

The C100 is hosting the next crop of top Canadian technology startups at 48hrs in the Valley. Held June 16 and 17, the event gives a select group of Canadian startups access to networking, mentoring, and business growth opportunities in Silicon Valley.

This edition of 48hrs in the Valley represents the first invite-only one. C100 charter members, sponsors, and partners, along with 48hrs alumni, were asked to nominate promising Canadian startups.

A small number of tickets are available to the public for several sessions.

“While a strong entrepreneurial and tech community is building across Canada, Canadian startups still need the connections and expertise of Silicon Valley to get to the next level,” said Atlee Clark, Executive Director of the C100. “48hrs gives these entrepreneurs the resources needed to build the next billion-dollar Canadian technology company.”

Accelerator Centre graduate Clearpath Robotics will be joining the C100 for 48hrs in the Valley

Read the full article here

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Accelerator Centre Graduate Clearpath Robotics Partners with Vicon for Advanced Motion Capture System

Clearpath Robotics

Clearpath introduces affordable, high-quality motion capture to robotics research at ICRA Hong Kong

(Kitchener, Ontario – May 1, 2014) Clearpath Robotics has partnered with Vicon, the motion capture technology specialists for the entertainment, defense, life sciences and engineering industries, to provide high-quality motion capture systems to robotics research customers worldwide. Clearpath Robotics will demonstrate the two companies’ technologies working together at the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Hong Kong, China, from May 31 to June 5.

“Optical tracking and robotics go hand in hand and we look forward to further expanding our presence in robotics research through this partnership with Clearpath Robotics,” said Warren Lester, engineering product manager, Vicon. “The quality and affordability of Vicon systems will reinforce Clearpath Robotics’ reputation for building unmanned vehicles that save time and money on future projects.”

Clearpath Robotics will offer a combined robotic and tracking solution using Vicon T-Series or Bonita motion capture cameras and Tracker object tracking software. Research organizations will be able to use the Vicon systems with Clearpath Robotics’ Husky all-terrain robot, TurtleBot mobile robot platform and JACO robot arm, to measure the efficacy and accuracy of the control systems they develop to guide them autonomously. The Vicon systems can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings to track the movement of robots with a precision that is not possible through other means. Such robots are developed for applications ranging from moving stock in a warehouse to searching abandoned buildings for bombs.

“Motion capture systems have become an integral part of robotics research,” said Matt Rendall, chief executive officer at Clearpath Robotics. “Vicon provides a reliable, cost-effective system with superior tracking capabilities, allowing our customers to use fewer cameras and gain higher quality results with millimeter-level precision.”

Vicon is now available at Clearpath Robotics. Visit www.clearpathrobotics.com/vicon for more details.

About Vicon

Academy Award®-winning Vicon is the world’s largest supplier of precision motion tracking systems and match-moving software. It serves customers in CG animation, film, visual effects, computer games, broadcast television, as well as engineering and life sciences industries.

Vicon is a subsidiary of OMG (Oxford Metrics Group – LSE: OMG), plc., a group of technology companies that produces image understanding solutions for the entertainment, defence, life sciences and engineering markets. Other holdings include: 2d3, a manufacturer of specialized image understanding software for defense applications; Yotta a provider of software and services for infrastructure asset management; and OMG Life, a new consumer subsidiary.

Among many others, Vicon and OMG global clients include:
• Entertainment: Audiomotion, The Imaginarium, Quantic Dream, SEGA, Konami, Activision, Sony, Dreamworks, ILM and USC
• Life Sciences: Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre – Oxford, Headley Court, University of Western Australia, Adidas, Digital Human Research Centre – Japan, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, Shriners, Marquette, UMich and Red Bull
• Engineering: European Space Agency, BMW, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – South Africa, ETH Zurich, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, NRL, UPENN GRASP, MIT, Ford and General Motors

For more information about OMG and its subsidiaries, visit: www.omgplc.com, www.vicon.com, www.vicon.com/boujou, www.moves.comwww.2d3sensing.com,
www.yotta.co.uk or www.autographer.com.

About Clearpath Robotics
Clearpath Robotics, a global leader in unmanned vehicle robotics for research and development, is dedicated to automating the world’s dullest, dirtiest, and deadliest jobs. The Company serves leading researchers in over 30 countries worldwide in academic, corporate and military environments. Recognizing the value of future innovation, Clearpath Robotics established Partnerbot, a grant program to support university robotics research teams, internationally. Clearpath Robotics provides robust solutions that are engineered for performance, designed for customization, and built for open source. Visit Clearpath Robotics at www.clearpathrobotics.com.

Source: Clearpath Press Release
Author: Meghan Hennessey, Kim Willsher

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Accelerator Centre Graduate I Think Security Ltd. Launches LOQ: A Digital Security Service for Asset Managers

Integrated into local files, LOQ combines military-grade security with transparent ease of use to provide secure document sharing, protected cloud backup, and advanced information control on multiple devices and platforms.

useloq.comWaterloo, ON ‐ April 2nd, 2014: I Think Security Ltd., an award winning cyber security lab, has announced the launch of LOQ. A secure information technology, LOQ keeps proprietary information and communications secure for asset managers and their high net worth clients.

“It’s our most advanced security solution yet, with outstanding features and benefits”, said Dr. Cédric Jeannot, founder and CEO of I Think Security Ltd., “We’re giving asset managers a competitive advantage, while reducing risk exposure and simplifying compliance, all in one easy-to-use package.”

Secure Sharing

LOQ provides a secure way for asset managers and their clients to share information of any size, on any media, including email, thumb drive, and cloud. Users can also share instantly with a secure dedicated channel that transfers information directly from one desktop to another. Additional features, like geo-fencing and device restrictions help to regulate access and even prevent mobile screenshots to ensure that all digital assets are protected.

For additional information on Secure Backup and Advanced Information Control, read the full press release here.

Sign up for a Free Trial Version of LOQ by registering on their home page.
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Accelerator Centre Grad Clearpath Robotics talks "Entrepreneurship, Ambition and Accelerators."

Written by: Ellyn Winters-Robinson
Source: www.techvibes.com

Founders of Clearpath Robotics

Matt Rendall didn’t consciously set out to become a technology entrepreneur. As an undergrad studying Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo, cramming for exams and building robots for fun, he didn’t envision that just a few years later he’d be at the helm of a fast growing, multi-million dollar technology company.

But that’s exactly what happened.

“I’ve been asked a bunch of times why I became an entrepreneur. And I like to say that ignorance is bliss,” he chuckles. “I think it just is what was supposed to happen in my life. What began as a student project, working with really cool technology helped me fall into this entrepreneurial world. And I became addicted to the uncertainty, the discomfort, and the excitement that comes hand in hand with entrepreneurship.”

Rendall is CEO of Clearpath Robotics, a 40-person company specializing in robotics solutions for the academic, industrial and commercial marketplace, and a recognized market leader in the robotics world. The company sells its Grizzly, Husky, Kingfisher, and Turtlebot robots to 300 customers in more than 30 countries, including organizations such as NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, the US Navy, and MIT among others, and is stacking up awards, such as the “2013 Game Changer Award” for its technology.

It’s been four years since the company graduated from the Accelerator Centre and struck off into the world to make its way. Rendall attributes Clearpath Robotics’ fast track success to he and his co-founder’s experience at the Waterloo Accelerator Centre.

Read the rest of the post at www.techvibes.com.

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Accelerator Centre Graduate Clearpath Robotics' Blog: "Expanding the Robot Badlands"

Source: Clearpath Robotics – Culture and Community Blog
By: Meghan Hennessey
Re-posted with permission

Clearpath’s blog is written with so much personality, we just had to share it this month.  Meghan Hennessey, Clearpath’s Marketing Communications Coordinator, offers up the latest on their new office space, or ‘Botsmith Lair’ as their team has affectionately named it.  Enjoy the read.

This June, we’ll be celebrating our 5th birthday! The past half-decade has been full of excitement, challenges, achievements and growth. Ah growth – we’ve never really stopped growing, and we won’t be slowing down anytime soon! With 35 new positions to hire for, we’re ready to move for a fourth time in four years. The new robot lair is going through a floor-to-ceiling overhaul to accommodate our team of people, and the bots they make. With minimal nudging, we got all the det’s from our very own co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Bryan Webb…

The Botsmith Lair

“Our new location will have 12,000 square feet of space,” said Bryan. Clearpathians will enjoy an open concept office that includes two floors split with a mezzanine balcony. The second floor mezzanine boasts themed meeting rooms and walls of whiteboards for the operations, logistics and marketing team to utilize. Below the mezzanine will buzz with robots and engineers alike. The engineering space will be surrounded with floor to ceiling whiteboard walls, break-out rooms and have a library for continuous learning; “Clearpath’s team is naturally dynamic and creative, so we’ve taken special care to bring in unique features that will help enhance our culture,” said Bryan. More people equals more robots; this has lead to us quadrupling our production space to allow multiple robot builds at a time and storage of all our inventory.

Okay so pretty standard stuff so far, right? Well hang on to your sensors! The lounge (aka ‘lunch room’) is in progress and will be dec’d out with couches, blackboards, bar stools, a bar, and – what we’re most curious about – will there be anything stocked at this said bar? In his best bot-face, Bryan left it at, “Fridays at 5 should be celebrated, along with the other achievements made throughout the week.”

Read more on the ‘Robot Badlands’ and the ‘Unmanned Experts’ on the full version of their blog.

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From startup to ramping up: Read about Accelerator Centre Graduate Clearpath Robotics' success in The Record

By: Terry Pender
Source: The Record

KITCHENER —Clearpath Robotics will soon mark its fifth anniversary with profit, the sale of its 1,000th robot and plans to significantly expand its workforce of highly skilled engineers.

“We have very tangibly left the startup stage,” Matt Rendall, the Kitchener company’s chief executive officer, said.

Later this month or next month, Clearpath will move into larger quarters at 1425 Strasburg Rd. in the Huron Business Park. The new location will contain 12,000 square feet of space, more than double its current location at 148 Manitou Dr.

As it prepares to move, it is also gearing up for its biggest recruitment drive. There are 38 people working there now, and that number is expected to double over the next 12 to 18 months.

“Statistically speaking, the five-year mark is the make-or-break point for startups to succeed or fail,” Rendall said. “We had our best year yet.”

Clearpath’s fiscal year ended in February. The company said it exceeded its goals and is making money.

As Clearpath transitions from late-stage startup to a growing technology company, it must grapple with a challenge common to many in the sector — the retention and recruitment of talent.

Read the full article here.

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Accelerator Program Graduate Clearpath Robotics awarded $100,000 contract by Government of Canada

KITCHENER, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – Nov. 12, 2013) – The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, joined by Harold Albrecht, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, today announced that the Government of Canada has awarded a contract of over $100,000 to Clearpath Robotics Inc. of Kitchener, Ontario, for its innovation, the Kingfisher M200 Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV). The contract was awarded through the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP), formerly known as the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP).

“The Government of Canada’s top priority is the economy and we understand that helping Canadian businesses expand and succeed directly benefits Canadian workers and families by creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity,” said Minister Finley. “We are proud to encourage Canada’s entrepreneurial spirit by kick-starting Canadian businesses to get their innovative products and services from the lab to the marketplace.”

Clearpath Robotics Inc.’s innovation, the Kingfisher M200 USV, is a portable robotic vessel, designed to measure and analyze inland waters such as lakes, rivers, ponds and estuaries. The Kingfisher is intended for use by researchers and environmental engineers performing lengthy or difficult surveying of inland waters. It provides a safe and reliable method for collecting high quality data with more accuracy and at lower costs than the existing industry-standard techniques. The Kingfisher has also demonstrated substantial benefits in terms of safety and water accessibility, as it is able to collect data from areas deemed impossible to reach by boat and too dangerous to enter on foot.

Read full article here.

Source: Daily Commercial News Online