Transcript Slide 1

Real case studies from (KW) High-Tech industry
This presentation is about:
Turning an idea into a
business
...and beyond
Making Ontario A World Leader In
The Digital Economy
McGuinty Government Partners With
Communitech To Create Digital Media Jobs In
Kitchener-Waterloo (Feb. 2, 2012)
Premier Dalton McGuinty present at newly opened
expansion of the Communitech Hub
The Tannery – Kitchener
19th-century tannery transformed into high-tech facility The Communitech Hub
Communitech Hub
 The Communitech Hub is expected to create or retain
more than 4,000 jobs. More than 458 new companies
have been created since it was launched in 2010.
 “Fostering innovation and partnering with business
that are creating the next generation of jobs is part of
the McGuinty government's plan to strengthen
Ontario's economy and create jobs for families.”
What is digital media?
Information that is created and shared virtually rather than
physically
Required elements for starting a business
 Idea validation – Market readiness assessment
 Funding
 Logistic support
 Connections
 Resources
 Talent
 Education
Waterloo Region –
Community driven innovation
Business and economic environment
 Home to more than 700 tech companies (IT, digital media,
biomedical, aerospace, environmental tech and advanced
manufacturing)
 World class graduates available from University of
Waterloo
 This is a community that “self-consults,” with one
generation mentoring the next.
Iain Klugman
CEO of Communitech
Structure
Communitech
A not-for-profit organization supporting technology companies in
Waterloo Region and promotes the area as a technology cluster.
Services: Venture services program; peer connections;
Networking; mentorship
“Communitech is powerful example of the kind of entrepreneurship
and innovation that is driving the Ontario economy. Our
government is proud to support enterprises like Communitech,
building confidence in our economy and bringing jobs to Ontario,
for Ontario families."
– Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario
Structure
Business incubators / accelerators:
 Accelerator Centre (Waterloo)
 Communitech hub (Kitchener)
Facility dedicated to the growth and commercialization of
Ontario’s digital media industry
 VeloCity (University of Waterloo)
Low cost business accelerator services for University of Waterloo
students and graduates
Structure
Accelerator Centre facts:
 100% of graduate companies remained in Ontario. 84%
remained in local community
 over 1400 hours of educational services delivered to Client
companies
 clients have added over 600 new jobs to their communities
 helped the Clients bring in over $72 million in external
funding
 clients generated over $45 million in revenue and counting
Structure
Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN)
 Created by Communitech in 2009 as a national Centre
of Excellence for Commercialization and Research to
create companies, jobs and wealth for the nation
 15 regional nodes – Canada wide; Communitech Hub is
the headquarters
 Still something out there left to be
invented?
 Another business idea left to be
discovered?
The answer is ... YES!
Advancements in various
technologies open the path to new
businesses
Miovision Technologies
 Founded 2005
 Automated Traffic Data Collection system. Intelligent solutions
designed to help data collectors, traffic consultants and
municipal governments reduce the cost of collecting, analyzing
and reporting accurate traffic data. The product help reduce
traffic congestion, minimize environmental impacts and
improve the overall safety on the roads.
 Capabilities: vehicle count; Traffic studies; Data collection;
Signal timing ; Traffic Reporting
 Markets:
 Public Sector Municipal & State Governments
 Transportation Engineering & Planning firms
 Traffic Data Collection Consultants
Aeryon Labs
 Founded in 2007
 Design and manufacture small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems
for aerial sensing applications.
 Aeryon Scout is an easy-to-use, battery powered, unmanned aerial
intelligence gathering system. A professional tool capable of pointand-click autonomous map-based navigation through a touch-screen
user interface, the Scout requires minimal user training and allows a
single user to operate both the aerial vehicle and camera payload
system. The Scout is targeted at the backpack of every soldier and the
trunk of every police car
 Markets / applications:




Military
Law Enforcement
Fire safety
Civilian
Dejero
 Founded in 2009
 Innovative technology for transmitting broadcast-quality HD or
SD live video over bonded cellular networks, WiFi or Ethernet.
The revolutionary solution gives greater mobility, including
access to locations such as airports, high security areas, rooftop
events and can even broadcast from a moving vehicle. Dejero
expands broadcast newsgathering capabilities.
 Markets / applications:
 Broadcasting,
 Media, Surveillance, Military, Education
 News Journalist, Web Media, Emergency Response, Education,
Military
 Local news, Video Blogging, Citizen Journalists
 Customer Support, Remote Medical Diagnostic
Dejero
“CTV’s live coverage of the Torch Relay for 100 days
across 27,000 miles of Canada was a hugely
popular introduction to the 2010 Winter Games.
The innovative technology developed by Dejero
will revolutionize how broadcasters cover live
events.”
Robert Hurst,
CTV News President
Key elements for success:











Valid business idea (addresses a demand, open a niche etc.)
Market ready – immediate opportunities for commercialization
Innovative (patented) technology
Field proven / Reliable
Recognition – awards, press releases
Cost effective – fraction of the cost of an existing/traditional solution
or new affordable solution
Complex product – powered by proprietary software
Easy to use – complex technology packed in a friendly easy to use
interface.
Solution made possible due to advancements in various related
technologies
Business and Tech community support (Communitech)
Start with a product with basic functionality that sells and grow
from there
What’s next? - Keep Innovating !
 Improve the product (quality, features)
 More compact versions
 Improve the processes
 Expand on alternate markets / verticals
 consumer market
 news journalist / web media
 emergency response / diagnosis
 remote monitoring/ surveillance
Expertise needed
 Information Technology
 Computer engineering
 Software engineering
 Web development
 Electronics /Electrical engineering
 Wireless / RF engineering
 Mechanical engineering
 Manufacturing engineering
Suppliers
 machine shop
 sheet metal shop
 PCB manufacturing houses
 PCB assembly houses
 cable assembly houses
 other custom parts and assembly
Need for any changes in the
business model ?
 increase demand for rapid prototyping (physical
models) when digital prototyping reached certain
technological limit or not effective






Take Back Manufacturing
YOUR TBM
EVOLUTIO
N PLAN
SOFTWARE
THOUGHTWARE
Your TBM ROADMAP
HARDWARE
END
26