Tag: Accelerator Centre

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Accelerator Centre Graduate Energent to provide software for 10 Ontario universities

On January 15, 2014, McMaster University, on behalf of 10 leading Ontario universities, announced the selection of Energent’s energy management information system to be commissioned for all 10 institutions – McMaster, Carleton, Ottawa, Waterloo, Trent, Queens, Lakehead, Brock, Laurentian and Windsor.

Energent’s best in class modeling and analytics solution will enable these universities to reach their individual and collective energy management goals, by tracking their individual energy performance as well as benchmarking and comparing their usage across the full portfolio of the 10 campuses. The insight provided by the software, and the technical expertise of Energent’s Energy Analysts, will provide each university with the information necessary to reduce their energy spend. Energy Managers and Facility Managers will now be able to share best practices between their respective universities more easily.

With the Energent system these universities will be able to quickly comply with Ontario’s mandatory 397/11 reporting requirements, introduced in July 2013, which require that all public buildings report their energy usage and carbon emissions, as well as their energy management plan to reduce those on an annual basis. Energent’s automated data collection and reporting system will eliminate the costly manual effort that was previously required for complying with the regulation, freeing up valuable time for more strategic initiatives.

There is also a plan to engage the campus community in reducing energy consumption and adopt energy conservation initiatives through the use of an interactive marketing campaign. The highly intuitive dashboard of the Energent system will provide a “kiosk” capability to broaden awareness of the importance of reducing energy and carbon emissions.

The UEDBS program has a very fast-track timeline as well as a demanding set of functional and operational requirements. The initial inquiry for pre-qualification was issued to a wide array of suppliers, and resulted in a short list of 5 to respond to a formal RFP. “We evaluated several energy management information systems and benchmarking software suppliers for our University Utility Energy Database and Benchmarking System (UEDBS). We found Energent to best satisfy our technical requirements within the project timeframe and budget” stated Shahid Naeem, Energy Management and Sustainability Engineer at McMaster University, and project lead for the UEDBS program.

“Energent is very pleased to have been selected for such a prestigious project with these prominent Ontario institutions.” says Chris Reid, President and CEO at Energent. “Our selection by the UEDBS team validates our belief that the Energent suite of software and services is recognized across North America as the best in class in energy management information systems. We look forward to delivering a world-class system for analyzing and benchmarking their energy use.”

About Energent:

Energent is a leading provider of energy management technologies in North America for industrial, institutional, and commercial customers. Based out of Waterloo, Ontario, Energent provides its state-of-the-art technology via software-as-a-service (SaaS), ensuring cost effective deployments and valuable ongoing services. Energent has leading companies as customers across all sectors and regions in Canada and the US. For more information, please visit www.energent.com.

 

J. Christopher Reid

President and CEO

T: 519-725-0906 ext. 2011 | C: 289-221-1675

115 King Street South, Suite 208

Waterloo, Ontario

Canada

N2J 5A3

Energent

Enabling The Intelligent Use Of Energy

Web | Facebook | Twitter

 

 

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Accelerator Centre Client TitanFile Inc. announces collaborative communications system for corporate legal departments

Source: marketwired.com

SAN FRANCISCO, CA and WATERLOO, ON – Putting the user firmly in control with hassle-free, hacker-proof security combined with powerful information sharing functionality, Hitachi Solutions America, Ltd. and TitanFile Inc. are announcing a collaborative communications system built for today’s corporate legal departments. Secure client communications are essential to successful law firm operations and the new joint effort allows confidential file sharing anytime, anywhere with the user maintaining control of the encryption key to further safeguard confidentiality.

“One way law firms can mitigate their risks and stand out from their competitors is to offer a higher level of security for their clients’ sensitive documents and an information sharing system that allows staff to provide better, faster and more convenient client service,” said Yuji Nakagawa, vice president, Security Solution Department of Hitachi Solutions America.

With the integrated solution, users will be able to directly control who can access and view files while conveniently sharing documents with clients, legal teams and company management. Sensitive files will automatically remain in an encrypted state as they are distributed across platforms or shared on mobile devices.

Read full article here.

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Accelerator Centre Graduate Clearpath Robotics to provide robots for lifesaving humanitarian research

(Kitchener, ON, Canada – January 23, 2013)  The University of Coimbra’s Institute of Systems and Robotics is working diligently to automate the extremely dangerous and manual job of clearing minefields for humanitarian demining efforts. Canadian robotics makers, Clearpath Robotics, sponsored the project by providing the mobile robotic base.

“Minesweeping is an extremely dangerous and time-intensive process,” said Lino Marques, Senior Lecturer at the University of Coimbra, and academic liaison for the project. “Robots do not get tired; they can be extremely thorough performing their jobs, and their cost is infinitely smaller than that of a human life. For these reasons, robots are a perfect solution for the minesweeping problem.”

The group at University of Coimbra set out to accomplish three key tasks with their mobile robot: Perceive terrain characteristics, navigate across the terrain, and utilize the vehicle to detect and localize landmines. The first round of field tests in 2013 was interrupted due to issues with their custom robotic arm. Once adjustments are in place, a second round of field tests will take place (expected mid-2014).

“We are very proud to be supporters of Dr. Marques’ humanitarian research into demining robotics.” said Matt Rendall, CEO at Clearpath Robotics. “Clearpath Robotics was originally founded with a focus to clear landmines using a swarm of small mobile robots – that’s how we got our name – so it’s very exciting for us to work with the University of Coimbra to advance this incredibly noble research.”

The mobile robotic base was outfitted with navigation and localization sensors, ground penetration radar, and a custom robotic arm with an attached metal detector. The entirety of the robot is designed with open source software using the Robot Operating System (ROS).

The group received the mobile base, known as Husky Unmanned Ground Vehicle, as part of the 2012 Partnerbot Grant Program, inaugurated to support advancement in robotics research. Within the Partnerbot program, the group was also named winners of the Special Award for Humanitarian Contribution.

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 robotics leaders in over 30 countries worldwide in academic, corporate, industrial, 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 robotic vehicles and autonomous solutions that are engineered for performance, designed for customization, and built for open source. Visit Clearpath Robotics at www.clearpathrobotics.com, follow us on Twitter @clearpathrobots or like us on Facebook.

Contact:

Meghan Hennessey

Marketing Communications

519-513-2416

press@clearpathrobotics.com

www.clearpathrobotics.com

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Accelerator Centre Client Sober Steering's technology being used in New York State education system

Technology Ensures School Bus Drivers Are Sober Behind the Wheel

By: Peter Lawrence
Source: School Transportation News

Recently, I attended a presentation at the Rochester Area Transportation Supervisor’s Association in New York State on Drug and Alcohol awareness to meet U.S. federal requirements as stated in law §382.603

At the meeting, we had the opportunity to see a new technology being used to monitor and notify carriers if an operator or mechanic has alcohol in their bloodstream. The state-of-the-art technology was originally designed to detect chemical weapons from sensors that were dropped from aircrafts.

Sober Steering, a company based out of Canada, developed this product that acts as an alcohol interlock for school buses and other vehicles. They accomplish this through transdermal sensors that are built into the steering wheel. The sensors detect alcohol through direct contact with the skin. With this alcohol interlock, in the event that a driver tries to start a vehicle with alcohol in their bloodstream, the transmission will not be able to shift out of park and an electronic notification is sent immediately to their employer. Another neat feature of this system allows for randomized rolling tests where the operator can provide a sample while the vehicle is in motion.

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

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Accelerator Program Graduate ChangeIt® partners with MSCU to turn change into charitable revenue

Source: CBC News Online

A Waterloo tech company that allows users to donate to charity by rounding up purchases has formed its first partnership with a financial institution in Waterloo Region.

ChangeIt users are able to round up their debit and credit purchases to the next dollar, and donate the remainder to charities of their choice. The rounding doesn’t show up at the cash register but is calculated by ChangeIt software and the difference is taken out of the user’s bank account at the end of the month.

The firm has now extended its services to the Mennonite Savings and Credit Union, which is based in Kitchener with about 19,000 members and eight branches in southern Ontario.

“Basically members can say I would like to activate ChangeIt on my payment card, so that when I make a purchase, I choose to have that purchase rounded up in the background,” said ChangeIt chief operating officer Jim Stirtzinger.

Read the full article here.

 

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Accelerator Centre Client Avenir Medical secures $3.3M in financing

Intelligent Instrument improves accuracy in hip replacement, attracts investors and surgeons to Avenir

Waterloo, Ontario, September 30, 2013 – Avenir Medical Inc., an innovator in developing intelligent instruments to improve joint replacement surgery, announced today that it has closed $3.3M of Series A financing. The round was led by MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund, Toronto, and included a syndicate of Angel Groups in Waterloo, Toronto, and Boston.

Avenir develops intelligent instruments to assist orthopedic surgeons in the operating room.  The Company’s proprietary devices integrate microelectronics and miniature optical sensors to calculate and display real time measurements of implant position and alignment, enabling surgeons to more accurately perform joint replacements.  The Company’s flagship product is for guiding hip replacement, and the same advanced technology will be applied to knee replacement and other surgical procedures.

“We are excited to attract a broad base of investors ranging from MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund to Angel Groups representing prominent Canadian and US entrepreneurs and surgeons ”, said CEO Armen Bakirtzian.  “This funding will accelerate our clinical and commercialization plans in North America and Europe where the potential market is over 2 million hip and knee replacements a year.”

“In joint replacement, most surgeons use their own impromptu techniques to position and align implants,” says Dr. Allan Gross, Orthopaedic Surgeon at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto, and Chairman of Avenir Medical’s Surgical Advisory Board.  “However, studies show that post-operatively, up to 10% of patients have complications and as many as half of these require expensive revision surgery.  Avenir’s new device gives surgeons a simple, reliable, and easy to use tool for implant positioning and alignment that can reduce the outliers and ultimately benefit patients.”

“Avenir really represents the type of company that fits our investment thesis. They have a great product, based on unique, differentiated technology, and have a huge market potential” said Dan Mathers, Investment Director, IAF.  “Avenir is an example of the type of high quality companies we are seeing in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, and we will continue to ensure that we focus efforts on being a key investor in the region.”

About Avenir Medical
Avenir is an early stage orthopedic medical device company committed to improving patient outcomes and hospital economics in joint replacement surgery.  Avenir is the creator of PelvAssist™, a miniaturized intelligent instrument that enhances surgeon accuracy, increases hospital economic efficiencies, and improves patient outcomes.  Avenir’s R & D team is led by the co-founder and former director of surgical navigation at Medtronic, Inc., and driven by a team of renowned orthopedic surgeons: Dr. Allan Gross and Dr. David Backstein from Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Dr. Wayne Paprosky from Rush Hospital in Chicago, and Dr. Javad Parvizi from the Rothman Institute in Philadelphia.

About MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund
The MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund manages on behalf of the Province of Ontario, the Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF) (@MaRSIAF) which provides seed funding to qualified emerging companies in Ontario. A critical component of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE), the IAF supports the launch and development of innovative companies in Ontario’s priority sectors of advanced materials and manufacturing, information technology, cleantech and life sciences. To learn more, visit www.iaf.marsdd.com

For further information contact: 
Armen Bakirtzian, CEO Avenir Medical
a.bakirtzian@avenirmedical.com
647.234.8160

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Announcing the latest graduates from the award-winning Accelerator Program: I Think Security Ltd. & Monstercat Inc.

Waterloo (Ontario), CANADA, September 12, 2013 – World renowned for its cultivation of technology entrepreneurship, Waterloo’s Accelerator Centre announced today that I Think Security Ltd. and Monstercat Inc. are the latest companies to graduate from its award-winning Accelerator Program. The Accelerator Program has graduated 33 companies into the marketplace since its inception in 2005, generating 1000 jobs, and contributing more than $90 million in revenue to the Waterloo Region economy.

Cyber risk is now a top priority for CEOs of enterprises large and small, and a single security breach can lead to millions in lost revenue and reputation damage. I Think Security, founded by cryptologist and security expert Dr. Cédric Jeannot, provides bulletproof security solutions for the enterprise aimed at protecting a company’s most sensitive corporate information. I Think Security’s products for data protection, cloud security and mobile security leverage military-level encryption, yet are easily installed and deployed within even the largest organizations. I Think Security products are in use in more than fifteen countries worldwide.

With singles charting at #1 worldwide on Beatport, albums hitting #1 on iTunes dance charts in over 16 countries, and more than 1 million plays on YouTube, Monstercat is proving to the world that independent labels have the ability to reshape the music industry landscape, while supporting up and coming musicians. The company was founded by University of Waterloo grads, Ari Paunonen and Mike Darlington.

“We continue to be so incredibly proud of our graduates, who continue to make a significant and meaningful contribution to the economy of Waterloo Region. Today’s graduates, I Think Security and Monstercat are literally at opposite ends of the technology spectrum, with one company providing solutions to a highly risk averse enterprise audience, while the other surfaces musical talent within the electronic music scene. Yet both companies excel at what they do, and have a tremendous future ahead of them, thanks to the mentorship, business advice, education and support they have received through the Accelerator Centre’s Accelerator Program,” says Tim Ellis, CEO of the Waterloo Accelerator Centre and Accelerator Program Inc.

About the Accelerator Centre

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 benefit from in-depth business coaching and 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.

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Waterloo Accelerator Centre and FedDev Ontario Provide up to $175,000 in JumpStart Funding for Start-Ups in Southern Ontario

Waterloo Region – August 28, 2013 – The Waterloo Accelerator Centre (AC), a world-renowned, award-winning facility dedicated to developing and commercializing technology start-ups announced today it has handed out $25,000 in JumpStart funding to seven young companies, following a highly competitive pitch competition held at the AC’s Waterloo facility. Twelve finalists pitched their company’s story for 5-minutes each before a panel of expert judges, including Dave Caputo, CEO of Sandvine, Chris Howlett, Technology Mentor at the Waterloo Accelerator Centre, Steve McCartney, VP Startup Services at Communitech, and Tim Ellis, CEO of the Waterloo Accelerator Centre.

The winning companies now receive $25,000 in matching seed funds and the right to participate in the AC’s extensive mentoring program, which provides start-ups with access to experts in marketing and sales, HR, PR/communications, technology, and finance.
The funding is being provided through the JumpStart program, which received an investment of up to $945,000 by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario’s (FedDev Ontario) Scientists and Engineers in Business initiative.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, congratulations to all the finalists and winners in the Waterloo Accelerator Centre’s JumpStart program,” said the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for FedDev Ontario. “Our investment in the program is helping the region’s science and technology entrepreneurs develop their business and management skills and launch promising start-up companies. This will help bring innovative ideas to market, creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for our region and all of southern Ontario.”

The seven JumpStart winners are:

  • USB Hub – a company designing the world’s best USB Hub

    • SoundBrush (www.getsoundbrush.com) – a tech-based company that promises to revolutionize the way people create and discover music

  • TrendyMED (www.trendymed.com)- a medical devices company developing a ground-breaking line of intravenous (IV) infusion products
  • SciGit (www.scigit.com) – a Waterloo-based company whose collaboration software is used by over a hundred institutions
  • Concertninja (www.concertninja.com) – a platform for live music fans to crowd fund events in their city. Think KickStarter, but for concerts
  • Kite (www.runkite.com) – a productivity tool that accelerates building web applications
  • Milao Language (www.milaolanguage.com) – a Waterloo based educational technology start-up that will radically change the way people learn a new language

In addition to its $25,000 seed funding, Milao Language’s CEO Camelia Nunez also took home the $1,250 People’s Choice award from the Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN). The Accelerator Centre is a member of the CDMN.

This group of seven companies is the third cohort of JumpStart program beneficiaries. The program was launched in June 2013, benefitting from $945,000 in support from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (www.feddevontario.gc.ca) through its Scientists and Engineers in Business Program. The third cohort will wrap up at the end of March, 2014.

“For early-stage companies seeking to bring their technologies to market, access to funding and mentorship at this formative stage can be a significant hurdle,” said Tim Ellis, CEO of the Waterloo Accelerator Centre and Accelerator Program Inc. “The JumpStart program addresses both of these challenges for start-ups. It provides essential funding, and through our Accelerator Program, offers these companies access to experts who can provide business guidance and mentorship. ”

“The JumpStart program not only provides us with critical funding at a very vital stage in our company’s growth. It also gave us an opportunity to practice our pitch in front of an audience of our peers and industry experts. We were delighted to be selected as one of the seven companies to enter the JumpStart third cohort, and to bring home the People’s Choice prize for our pitch. It is terrific validation we are on the right path. Thanks FedDev and to the Waterloo Accelerator Centre for providing us with this amazing opportunity,” says Camelia Nunez, CEO Milao Language.

About the Waterloo Accelerator Centre

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 benefit from in-depth business coaching and 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. For information visit us on the web at www.acceleratorcentre.com

For more information, contact:

Shane Pegg, Director of Strategic Initiatives
519-342-2400 or spegg@acceleratorcentre.com