Tag: City of Kitchener

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The Accelerator Centre partners with Inertia to help companies scale in new hardware lab

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The Accelerator Centre (AC) and Inertia are pleased to announce a new partnership aimed at supporting the growth and scale of early stage hardware companies in Waterloo Region.

 

Toronto-based Inertia will establish a presence at the AC’s new hardware innovation lab in the heart of downtown Kitchener. Located at 44 Gaukel St., the lab offers 10,000 square feet prototyping and lab space, access to tools and resources, including 3D printers, as well as a freight elevator and loading dock for shipping and receiving.

Inertia, in partnership with the AC’s renowned team of mentors, will work directly with hardware, IoT, and advanced manufacturing companies to tackle challenges such as design and prototyping, contract manufacturing, supply chain and cash flow management, as well as preparing for international growth.

The partnership will see expanded, in-depth hardware support for over 30 current Clients of the AC, as well as providing opportunity for hardware related companies that have graduated from the award-winning centre.

“We’re continuing to see increased need for support of hardware companies, particularly here in Waterloo, due very much in part to the incredible talent coming out of the University of Waterloo and the emphasis that they place on entrepreneurship. Both faculty and students are increasingly designing hardware solutions to complex problems, and they want to turn those ideas into solid businesses – that’s when they come to the AC. Having the support of Inertia as they grow will be invaluable for their long-term success.”

Paul Salvini, CEO, Accelerator Centre

“We are seeing some amazing things happening in Waterloo right now, from IoT and robotics, to 3D printing and drones; it only makes sense that Inertia’s first Canadian expansion outside Toronto would be to a place where advanced manufacturing is really taking off. Partnering with the AC allows us to plug into these companies at an early stage and help them start off on the right track as they work towards growing internationally.”

Ray Minato, President & CEO, Inertia

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About the Accelerator Centre

The Accelerator Centre (AC) is dedicated to building and scaling sustainable, globally competitive technology firms; and to commercializing advanced research technologies emerging from academic institutions. The AC offers an intensive, milestone-driven program to help Clients gain traction and establish early growth; begin to scale and prepare for global expansion.

Since 2006, the AC has supported over 250 early-stage technology companies, who have created 1500+ new jobs, and generated more than two billion in valuations. Fifty-five companies have graduated from the Accelerator Centre, with over 90 percent of companies still active after two years. For more information visit www.acceleratorcentre.com.

 

About Inertia

Inertia is a product design, manufacturing, and supply chain management services company. For the past 12 years Inertia has helped hardware start-ups turn their ideas into award-winning physical products in industries ranging from medical, safety and security, and consumer products.

Inertia’s open, collaborative, and systematic approach to supporting early-stage companies results in a faster time to market, higher return on investment, and peace of mind that comes with the confidence they are doing the right things, the best way, at the right time.

Inertia is headquartered in Toronto and has an office in Dongguan China to support rapid prototype and manufacturing activities. For more information visit www.inertiaengineering.com.

 

Media contacts

Emily Jackson
Director, Client Experience and Special Projects
Accelerator Centre
226-972-8592
ejackson@acceleratorcentre.com

Ray Minato
President & CEO
Inertia
416-537-0505

rminato@inertiaengineering.com

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Welcome to 44 Gaukel: Accelerator Centre Launches New Hardware Innovation Lab

img_8815webAn incredible mix of art and technology in a groundbreaking new facility

Today we’re thrilled to announce the official opening of our new hardware innovation lab in the heart of downtown Kitchener. Located at 44 Gaukel St., this newest expansion offers hardware startups 10,000 square feet prototyping and lab space, access to tools and resources, including 3D printers, as well as a freight elevator and loading dock for shipping and receiving.

The facility is run in partnership with ArtsBuild Ontario, an organization dedicated to supporting local artists by providing tools, training and resources that support the development and sustainable creative spaces. The facility is also supported in part by the City of Kitchener.

“We’re very excited to work with the City of Kitchener and ArtsBuild Ontario as we expand our world-class incubation offering, helping innovative hardware and IoT companies grow and scale their businesses here in Waterloo Region, ” says Paul Salvini, CEO of the Accelerator Centre. “Expanding into Downtown Kitchener allows the AC to support our clients who want to be in a central, urban environment, while continuing to bring the same excellence in programming, mentorship, and experience that we’re renowned for.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the Accelerator Centre and the City of Kitchener in providing creative space for our community’s artists and arts organizations,” added Lindsay Golds, Executive Director, ArtsBuild Ontario. “We are so pleased to offer those in need of rehearsal or administrative space an affordable and suitable location for their important work in Downtown Kitchener. We are excited by the potential for collaboration opportunities between the tech and the arts sector that this location can provide.”

The historic building, originally built as a Canada Post depot, also houses the University of Waterloo’s Critical Media Lab and part of Conestoga College’s School of Media and Design on the first floor. Joining the Accelerator Centre and ArtsBuild on the second floor is MyShop, an industrial makerspace, offering an array of industrial prototyping tools, as well as training, allowing Clients at the AC to rapidly design and build their products right inside the building.

“Being a part of the new hardware lab at 44 Gaukel Street is an important and exciting move for us. The Accelerator Centre’s support has been pivotal for our business and we’ve already developed new customers through people visiting the facility. Being in the business of 3D printing, InkSmith is right at home in a space where art and technology collide.”
Jeremy Hedges , President, InkSmith

“There are so many great things happening in hardware and advanced manufacturing right now in Waterloo Region,” says Josh Kubassek, President at MyShop. “It’s important for us to be a part of the AC’s lab at 44 Gaukel, helping to empower startup companies to design and prototype these amazing new technologies.”

The Accelerator Centre and ArtsBuild Ontario invite the community to celebrate the opening of 44 Gaukel on Tuesday, October 4 at 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., on the second floor. Tenants from both the arts and technology sectors will be showcasing their work at the event.

The space is filling quickly, however both the Accelerator Centre and ArtsBuild Ontario are currently accepting applications for tenancy. Apply to the AC.