Success Story Feed

Success Story Feedhttp://70.38.34.216/Advanced Health TechnologiesSuccess StoriesTalentEdgeEnergy & EnvironmentSmartStart Seed FundInformation, Communications & Digital MediaAfrandCambrian CollegeVoucher for Industry Association R&D ChallengeEastern/Northern OntarioAdvanced ManufacturingEducationOntario Social Impact VoucherWesternConnected Vehicle/Automated Vehicle (CVAV) ProgramAutomated VehiclesIndustry-Academic R&D CollaborationSouthwestern OntariouWaterlooSchultzSmart Computing R&D ChallengeWorsfoldTechnical Problem SolvingUofTRaiMarket ReadinessVoucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP)TrentTranGeorge BrownCentral OntarioQueen’sMedical Sciences Proof of Principle (MScPoP)Commercialization ProgramsCampus-Linked AcceleratorsStudents & Recent GraduatesNewsEntrepreneurs & Start-upsFanshaweEmpeyRitchieAlgonquin CollegeDurhamLeachurn:uuid:8f381fd3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Advanced Health TechnologiesSuccess StoriesTurning a family-inspired innovation into a global solutionSpencer Waugh, Founder of AceAge, was inspired to launch his entrepreneurial journey during an everyday family dinner in 2014. A casual conversation about a final-year engineering project became the catalyst he needed to turn his idea for helping his grandfather into a product that can help people worldwide. Tue, 06 Dec 2016 19:47:38 Z <figure name="6221"><img data-image-id="1*mY7fGd8_XIbL3YylYlX0Cw.gif" data-width="600" data-height="338" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/600/1*mY7fGd8_XIbL3YylYlX0Cw.gif" /><figcaption>(Video: <a href="https://youtu.be/05Y1vdUvgl0" data-href="https://youtu.be/05Y1vdUvgl0" target="_blank">MaRS Discovery District</a>)</figcaption></figure>  Spencer Waugh, Founder of <a href="http://www.aceage.com/" data-href="http://www.aceage.com/" target="_blank" style="font-size: 13px;">AceAge</a>, was inspired to launch his entrepreneurial journey during an everyday family dinner in 2014. A casual conversation about a final-year engineering project became the catalyst he needed to turn his idea for helping his grandfather into a product that can help people worldwide. Waugh’s grandfather was admitted to the hospital eight times that year because of his inability to keep his drugs organized and take them as needed. Waugh discovered that up to 90 per cent of patients fail to take their medication properly, which results in 28 per cent of emergency room visits and 23 per cent of nursing home admissions. That revelation led Waugh to invent <a href="http://www.aceage.com/" data-href="http://www.aceage.com/" target="_blank">Karie</a>, an automatic medication delivery system that not only ensures patients take their medications at the right time but is also records all the relevant data in the back end for the caretakers and researchers. Karie is improving the way clinical researchers conduct studies to improve adherence to drug dosage regimens and relieve the burden on the healthcare system. The improper use of medications is a $300-billion problem in the United States alone. Many have tried to solve this problem with alarms and apps that can serve as reminders to patients but these solutions often fall short as little more than glorified alarm clocks with snooze buttons. Karie is being hailed as a triple win by improving the health of patients while cutting costs for the healthcare system and government. Soon after founding AceAge in February 2015, Waugh left his job to work on his startup full time. Since then, the development of the company has progressed with the help of the entire <a href="http://www.onebusiness.ca/" data-href="http://www.onebusiness.ca/" target="_blank">ONE Network</a>, including the <a href="http://h2i.utoronto.ca/" data-href="http://h2i.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank">Health Innovation Hub</a> at University of Toronto and the <a href="http://biomedicalzone.ca/" data-href="http://biomedicalzone.ca/" target="_blank">Biomedical Zone</a> at Ryerson University; Waterloo’s <a href="http://acceleratorcentre.com/" data-href="http://acceleratorcentre.com/" target="_blank">Accelerator Centre</a>; and other <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/list-of-rics.pdf?sfvrsn=8" data-href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/list-of-rics.pdf?sfvrsn=8" target="_blank">Regional Innovation Centres</a> in Ontario. Waugh has also qualified for a <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/entrepreneurship-programs/smartstart-seed-fund" data-href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/entrepreneurship-programs/smartstart-seed-fund" target="_blank">SmartStart Seed Fund</a> grant and an <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/entrepreneurship-programs/osiv-program" data-href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/entrepreneurship-programs/osiv-program" target="_blank">Ontario Social Impact Voucher</a> from Ontario Centres of Excellence. <blockquote name="df05">“The SmartStart Seed Fund grant was especially helpful as we were able to secure some early angel investment the same day we received the grant,” says Waugh.</blockquote> Now, AceAge has two staff members and is in the midst of starting a pilot study with the University of Toronto, with two more pilots planned for 2017. With revenue coming on-stream by late 2016, the team is now raising funds with a seed round that will help with scaling-up costs and final hardware/software iterations. Waugh intends to grow the company to 20 full-time staff in the next two years while targeting North America and Europe as potential market entry points. Asked what has driven him to make a commercial success of his brainchild, Waugh replied:  <blockquote name="7e83">“Being able to help people just like my grandfather is what excites me the most.”</blockquote> urn:uuid:66161fd3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Success StoriesVeering to dronesWith Reforges’ technology, a drone can jump from port to port, covering a huge area of land that previously would have required human intervention or backtracking.Mon, 14 Nov 2016 18:38:50 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/reforges-452.png?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="With Reforges’ technology, a drone can jump from port to port, covering a huge area of land that previously would have required human intervention or backtracking." title="reforges-452" /> <a href="http://www.reforgesconstellation.com/">Reforges</a>’ name is inspired by a singular desire to make things better, whether that means perfecting a doorbell, a table or a television. What Murray Wu and Ella Bao, co-founders of the company, initially set out to do was “reforge” the modern electrical outlet. They developed the V.O., a safe, convenient and elegant device that connects and powers electronic devices by magnetically aligning and securing the power adapter to the outlet at any angle.  <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/commercialization-programs/china-angels-mentorship-program">CAMP</a> then “reforged” Reforges itself. After consulting with CCAA’s Tony Wang, the founders realized that the V.O. technology had other potential applications. Together with CAMP and their newly hired CTO Isaac DeSouza, Reforges pivoted and turned their magnetic technology into drone-charging ports. Previously, drones were limited by their power supply. Once out of power, they needed to recharge at a central location.  With Reforges’ technology, a drone can jump from port to port, covering a huge area of land that previously would have required human intervention or backtracking. Since joining CAMP, the company has iterated eight versions of their prototype and secured more than $5,000,000 in LOIs for their next project. urn:uuid:d9151fd3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Success StoriesA save-the-world page turnerThe Canadian component of companies like KapowKidz is pivotal as part of the company’s brand; the Chinese component helps these start-ups scale to rival the best “happily ever after” stories.Mon, 14 Nov 2016 18:31:38 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/kapowkidz-452.png?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="The Canadian component of companies like KapowKidz is pivotal as part of the company’s brand; the Chinese component helps these start-ups scale to rival the best “happily ever after” stories." title="KapowKidz-452" /> Once upon a time, two preeminent artists developed Storyvalues, an online educational resource that takes folktales and myths from around the world as a foundation for inclusive arts education. Cheryl Thornton and Matthew Giffin wanted to “save the world through storytelling.”  Through cross-cultural narratives, the company harnesses the power of language, empathy, creativity, and cultural fluency. Storyvalues was endorsed by <a href="http://www.curriculum.org/home/">Curriculum Services Canada</a> after just one year and licensed by the<a href="http://www.tdsb.on.ca/"> Toronto District School Board</a>. More success came when they encountered Jet Zhang who helped Cheryl and Matthew rebrand Storyvalues as the more market-ready <a href="http://kapowkidz.com/">KapowKidz</a> and were introduced to <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/commercialization-programs/china-angels-mentorship-program">CAMP</a>, which connected them with the Chinese market and began the next chapter of their story. A year later, KapowKidz has investors offering them mentorship and financial backing. The company is slated to provide educational content for over 20,000 schools in China. The Canadian component of companies like KapowKidz is pivotal as part of the company’s brand; the Chinese component helps these start-ups scale to rival the best “happily ever after” stories.urn:uuid:76011fd3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Success StoriesTalentEdgeEnergy & EnvironmentTalentEdge Returns Fellow to First LoveThe TalentEdge program gave Alma a chance to return to her first love: quantum optics and the interactions between light and matter.Thu, 27 Oct 2016 18:28:40 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/morgan-solar-talent-edge-feature-photo.png?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="The TalentEdge program gave Alma a chance to return to her first love: quantum optics and the interactions between light and matter." title="MORGAN-Solar-Talent-Edge-Feature-Photo" /> When <a href="http://morgansolar.com/">Morgan Solar</a>’s Director of Science, Stefan Myrskog, recruited Alma Bardin to join the team as a <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/industry-academic-collaboration/talentedge">TalentEdge </a>postdoctoral fellow, Alma jumped at the chance. She left a position at a research hospital to return to her first love: quantum optics and the interactions between light and matter. During her fellowship, Alma worked closely with Morgan Solar’s engineers and scientists to update standard performance characterizations with a flexible laser system for improved reliability, accuracy and reduced costs.  Working for a cleantech start-up has given Alma the chance to make real changes to the world and she is thriving in her new position. “I love the fast-paced environment,” Alma beams. “We’re already working on creating new iterations of the laser tester I helped develop.”  She has also had an opportunity to address her work on a global platform. She recently presented her findings at CPV-12, an international conference on concentrator photovoltaic systems—Morgan Solar’s bread and butter—in Germany. “The conference was really a highlight for me. It was a moment when applied academics and industry came together. The participants were very excited with our findings. And TalentEdge made it happen.” Morgan Solar recently made Alma a full-time member of their science team.  “We’ve had a phenomenal experience with the TalentEdge program,” co-founder Nicolas Morgan says. “As a start-up, we simply would not have had the funds to bring in top talents like Alma and Stefan, a former recipient of OCE’s First Job Program grant.” TalentEdge helps bring in non-dilutive funding, which investors and stakeholders love to see, says Nicolas. “It’s always important to find creative ways to fund a company. The more third-party validation you get, the better the company looks.” OCE©2016 Last updated 10/2016urn:uuid:2e011fd3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 TalentEdgeSuccess StoriesAdvanced Health TechnologiesSeeing the Path from Research to ConsumerDarian Blanchard joined Aterica as a TalentEdge intern straight out of grad school. Now, he’s a full-time bio-molecular engineer.Thu, 27 Oct 2016 18:22:49 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/aterica-feature.png?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Darian Blanchard joined Aterica as a TalentEdge intern. Now, he’s a full-time bio-molecular engineer." title="ATERICA-Feature" /> When Darian Blanchard joined <a href="https://www.aterica.com/">Aterica Health Inc</a>. as a <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/industry-academic-collaboration/talentedge">TalentEdge</a> intern a year ago September, he was only 25 and straight out of grad school. Now he’s a full-time bio-molecular engineer at the forward-thinking digital health company “and can’t wait to see what happens next.”  The internship proved to be a perfect fit for him given the company’s multidisciplinary and individual-focused approach. Exposed to many aspects of the tech industry, Darian “witnessed the process of bringing a product from the research stage to the consumer level.” Last year, the <a href="https://www.ces.tech/">Consumer Electronics Show</a> (CES) named Aterica’s Veta™ Smart Case & App for epinephrine auto-injectors such as EpiPen® an Innovation Awards Honoree. The Veta system’s smart case replaces the stock epinephrine auto-injector case and has a mobile app that shares life-saving information about the user’s location and automatically broadcasts an alert whenever the auto-injector is removed from the smart case - one of many functions that help individuals and families living with anaphylaxis. Darian helped out with the Veta project. He was also brought onto the Aterica team for an exciting new project that would utilize his expertise in toxicology and chemistry. “Darian joined us near the end of the proof-of-concept stage,” says Aterica senior scientist Dr. Christopher Osuch. “With his help, we are now developing our prototype.” Darian quickly made his mark on the company. Since he came onboard, the R&D of the project has progressed faster and with a clearer focus, Osuch says.  Darian is optimistic about the future. “In an innovative but small start-up, the potential for growth is really enormous!” OCE©2016 Last updated 10/2016urn:uuid:e6001fd3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Success StoriesSmartStart Seed FundInformation, Communications & Digital MediaSamplerSampler is an end-to-end digital product sampling platform that helps brands get their product samples into the right hands, and with clear ROI.Thu, 27 Oct 2016 17:41:46 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/sampler-feature.jpg?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Sampler is an end-to-end digital product sampling platform that helps brands get their product samples into the right hands, and with clear ROI." title="Sampler-Feature" /> Samples are a great way for brands to interest consumers in buying their products, but determining the ROI is difficult when samples are handed out randomly. Marie Chevrier recognized this inefficiency while working in marketing and founded Sampler in 2013 to create a technological solution.  <a href="http://sampler.io/">Sampler</a> is an end-to-end digital product sampling platform that helps brands get their product samples into the right hands quickly, effectively and with clear ROI. Brands like <a href="http://www.kimberly-clark.com/">Kimberly-Clark</a>, <a href="http://www.lorealparis.ca/_en/_ca/home/index.aspx">L'Oréal</a> and <a href="http://www.mondelezinternational.com/">Mondelez</a> are using Sampler’s technology to move their product sampling online and effectively distribute samples to their target audience, all while seeing direct ROI on their campaign. OCE’s <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/entrepreneurship-programs/smartstart-seed-fund">SmartStart</a> support helped Sampler hire a CTO-in-residence and meet key milestones in the company’s first two years. Sampler is used by over 200 brands in 20 countries. The start-up expects to distribute five million samples through its program in the next year. <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>Sampler has 17 full-time employees, with operations in Toronto, New York and the U.K.</li> <li>Has raised over $1.5 million in follow-on investment to date</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2016 Last updated 10/2016urn:uuid:a2001fd3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Success StoriesSmartStart Seed FundInformation, Communications & Digital MediaSkyWatchOCE allowed SkyWatch to take technology originally built for astrophysics and turn it into something that had huge commercial opportunity. Thu, 27 Oct 2016 17:35:43 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/skywatch-feature-photo.jpg?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="OCE allowed SkyWatch to take technology originally built for astrophysics and turn it into something that had huge commercial opportunity. " title="SKYWATCH-Feature-Photo" /> Waterloo-based <a href="http://www.skywatch.co/">SkyWatch</a> saw the future and took the support offered from OCE’s <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/entrepreneurship-programs/smartstart-seed-fund">SmartStart Seed Fund</a> to turn its satellite data application into a global commercial potential. OCE allowed SkyWatch to take technology originally built for astrophysics and turn it into something that had huge commercial opportunity. The data is used by people in the mining industry to inspect areas of interest; by oil companies to monitor pipelines; and by farmers to monitor their crops. Market intelligence companies also use the data to count cars in parking lots and the number of construction cranes that are in use across the entire country. OCE worked with the SkyWatch team on pivoting the product for Earth-observing data, for which there is a huge market.  <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>The company has offices in Waterloo and New York City</li> <li>Plans to have 20 staff by the end of 2017</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2016 Last updated 10/2016urn:uuid:5e001fd3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 AfrandCambrian CollegeVoucher for Industry Association R&D ChallengeSuccess StoriesEastern/Northern OntarioAdvanced ManufacturingRock-TechRock-Tech is developing a semi-autonomous system that allows one worker to operate multiple rock breakers at once.Thu, 27 Oct 2016 17:27:53 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/rocktech-feature.png?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Rock-Tech is developing a semi-autonomous system that allows one worker to operate multiple rock breakers at once." title="rocktech-feature" /> Current methods for rock breaking pose challenges for mining operations. Rocks are passed through a screen to be crushed, but rocks that are too big must be crushed separately by an operator, which reduces productivity and increases expenses. Automating the rock-breaking process would increase efficiency, but existing technology can’t program machines to respond to the variables in rock sizes. Sudbury-based <a href="http://www.rock-tech.net/">Rock-Tech</a>, a manufacturer of equipment for underground mining, is developing a semi-autonomous system that will give it a competitive advantage and help realize the company’s goal of commercializing a first-of-its-kind, fully autonomous system. The system increases productivity by allowing one worker to operate multiple rock breakers at once and minimizes losses due to product damage. It is also safer for operators.  Rock-Tech partnered with <a href="http://cambriancollege.ca/">Cambrian College</a> to develop the main component of its semi-autonomous rock breaking system, a customizable grizzly screen that can better handle rocks of various sizes. The project was funded by OCE’s <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/industry-academic-collaboration/collaboration-voucher-program/VIA">Voucher for Industry Association (VIA)</a> program, offered in partnership with the <a href="https://www.miningdeep.ca/">Ultra-Deep Mining Network</a> (UDMN), managed through the <a href="https://www.miningexcellence.ca/">Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation</a> (CEMI). Two students, Emma Tugwood and Justin Midena, were engaged to develop the grizzly screen, taking the lead on all aspects from design to welding. Upon completing the project, the students had gained enough welding experience to become Level 2 apprentices, making them significantly more employable.  The grizzly screen now forms the centrepiece of Rock-Tech’s recently completed product testing and showcase centre. The company’s semi-autonomous rock breaking system, which has already garnered interest from large mining companies in Canada and abroad, is expected to be launched in the fall of 2017. After the commercialization of its current system, Rock-Tech will continue R&D of a fully autonomous rock breaker. <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>When fully developed, technology will generate an estimated $5 million a year</li> <li>Rock-Tech estimates hiring 10+ full-time employees in the next few years as a result of the technology</li> <li>OCE Investment: $100,000</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2016 Last updated 10/2016urn:uuid:18001fd3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Information, Communications & Digital MediaSuccess StoriesEducationSmartStart Seed FundOntario Social Impact VoucherWesternTextbooks for ChangeTextbooks for Change collects textbooks from North American campuses and redistributes them to East Africa. Thu, 27 Oct 2016 17:01:51 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/textbooks-452.png?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Textbooks for Change collects textbooks from North American campuses and redistributes them to East Africa. " title="textbooks-for-change-feature-image" /> In 2013, Chris Janssen travelled to a Rwandan university and noticed a lack of educational resources available to students. Together with his former Western University business school classmate, Tom Hartford, he founded <a href="https://textbooksforchange.com/">Textbooks for Change</a>, a social enterprise and B Corp that collects textbooks from North American campuses and redistributes them to East Africa.  Out of the thousands of textbooks collected annually, 50 per cent are donated to partner campus libraries in East Africa, 20 per cent are sold online to students at affordable prices, and 30 per cent are recycled. Proceeds help support student-led social initiatives.  OCE’s <a href="http://70.38.34.216/Feeds/www.oce-ontario.org/programs/entrepreneurship-programs/smartstart-seed-fund">SmartStart</a> funding helped the team launch their first collection drive in April 2014. In 2015, they began working with Toronto-based <a href="http://www.sametrica.com/en/home/">SAMETRICA</a> to measure and assess impact, supported by the <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/entrepreneurship-programs/osiv-program">Ontario Social Impact Voucher (OSIV)</a> Program.  Textbooks for Change currently operates on 26 Ontario campuses and has donated over 100,000 textbooks to African universities. The team is focusing on expanding across Canada and the US.  <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>Employs 15 full-time and five part-time employees</li> <li>Has provided over $115,000 for Canadian charity and student-led initiatives</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2016 Last updated 10/2016urn:uuid:d1ff1ed3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Connected Vehicle/Automated Vehicle (CVAV) ProgramAutomated VehiclesIndustry-Academic R&D CollaborationTalentEdgeSouthwestern OntarioSuccess StoriesuWaterlooSchultzSober SteeringSober Steering has developed what is believed to be the world’s only touch-based alcohol interlock.Thu, 27 Oct 2016 16:51:43 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/sobersteering-452.png?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Sober Steering has developed what is believed to be the world’s only touch-based alcohol interlock." title="sobersteering-feature" /> A drunk driver gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, loses control and hurts –or kills – himself and possibly others. It’s a tragic story that could have been prevented with some new OCE-supported technology from Waterloo-based <a href="http://sobersteering.com/">Sober Steering</a>. Founded in 2009, and led by Catherine Carroll, CEO, and her father John Carroll, CTO, the company moved from Florida to Ontario to gain access to Ontario expertise and supportive government programs. It also gained the use of specialized equipment by partnering with the <a href="https://uwaterloo.ca/engineering/">University of Waterloo’</a>s engineering department. Sober Steering has developed what is believed to be the world’s only touch-based alcohol interlock. Upon ignition, the driver places a hand on the biosensor pad in the wheel. Biosensors analyze the gases exuded from the skin. If any alcohol detected exceeds a pre-set limit, the vehicle is immobilized and an instant message is sent to dispatch or to parents. Random retests ensure that the driver maintains sobriety while driving. Sober Steering’s Zero Tolerance System is available for fleet vehicles and select other installations. In 2011, the company started working with OCE on the sensor development via Waterloo’s <a href="http://acceleratorcentre.com/">Accelerator Centre</a>. OCE provided support through the <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/industry-academic-collaboration/cvav-research-program">Connected Vehicle/Automated Vehicle</a> (CVAV) and <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/industry-academic-collaboration/talentedge">TalentEdge</a> programs. The platform has been used in Waterloo-area school buses for 18 months and will expand to other industries to monitor drivers of hazardous vehicles and trucks. With OCE’s support, it also plans to commercialize a wearable version of the product for consumers, which could benefit parents monitoring teens driving. Sober Steering has received significant follow-on investment from angel investors in the U.S. and plans to expand to the U.S. market with school buses in select states. <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>Employs six team members, including one sourced through TalentEdge</li> <li>Team projects doubling in the next year</li> <li>OCE Investment: $150,000</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2016 Last updated 10/2016urn:uuid:88ff1ed3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Smart Computing R&D ChallengeVoucher for Industry Association R&D ChallengeTalentEdgeWorsfoldSuccess StoriesEastern/Northern OntarioTechnical Problem SolvingInformation, Communications & Digital MediaUofTEnergy & EnvironmentThoth Technology Pembroke-based Thoth Technology is helping Canada reclaim its role as a world leader in very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI).Thu, 27 Oct 2016 16:41:02 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/thoth-452.png?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Pembroke-based Thoth Technology is helping Canada reclaim its role as a world leader in very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI)." title="thoth-452" /> A partnership between Pembroke-based <a href="http://thothx.com/">Thoth Technology</a> and a professor at University of Toronto’s <a href="http://www.cita.utoronto.ca/">Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics</a> is helping Canada reclaim its role as a world leader in very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI). A technology used in radio astronomy, VLBI allows a signal from an astronomical radio source to be collected at multiple radio telescopes on Earth, combining their angular resolution to create an Earth-sized telescope for making ground-breaking observations about astronomical objects. Without VLBI, a breakthrough viewed by many as momentous as the invention of the Internet, there could be no Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. U of T Professor Ue-Li Pen contacted Caroline Roberts, CEO of Thoth, because he wanted to use the company’s 46-metre radio antenna at the <a href="http://www.arocanada.com/">Algonquin Radio Observatory</a> (ARO) for pulsar research. OCE’s Technical Problem Solving program gave Thoth the first opportunity to work with Professor Pen and his group. Under OCE’s <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/industry-academic-collaboration/collaboration-voucher-program/VIA/smart-computing-r-d-challenge">Smart Computing R&D Challenge</a>, Thoth was awarded support for the project to access SOSCIP computing resources on its Agile computing and Blue Gene/Q platforms. And through OCE’s <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/industry-academic-collaboration/talentedge">TalentEdge</a> Program, Thoth was able to apply students’ cutting-edge knowledge to the problem of VLBI signal processing. Space elevators — a type of space transportation system — could also be a viable technology within 10 years thanks to Thoth. The ThothX Tower uses readily available materials inflated with helium or hydrogen to ascend to 20 kilometres. The patented technology has a number of innovative applications related to the world’s fastest Internet, renewable wind-energy generation, space planes, international travel and high-altitude tourism. <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>Thoth expects to hire 5 more staff within two years</li> <li>The technology has the potential to make Canada a world leader in the multi-billion dollar global VLBI and SKA markets</li> <li>OCE Investment: $254,998</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2016 Last updated 10/2016 urn:uuid:41ff1ed3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Energy & EnvironmentRaiSuccess StoriesMarket ReadinessVoucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP)Southwestern OntarioAdvanced ManufacturingTrentNoblegenNoblegen is an advanced bioproducts manufacturer dedicated to developing competitively priced, naturally-derived biomaterials and biochemicals for market applicationsThu, 27 Oct 2016 16:26:29 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/noblegen-452.png?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Noblegen is an advanced bioproducts manufacturer dedicated to developing competitively priced, naturally-derived biomaterials and biochemicals for market applications." title="noblegen-452" /> In a world facing the increasing impact of climate change, there is a huge demand for sustainable and scalable solutions. Young entrepreneur and renowned scientist Adam Noble founded <a href="http://noblegen.com/">Noblegen Inc.</a> (formerly Noble Purification) to address these great challenges and help redefine the relationship between people and the planet. Noblegen is an advanced bioproducts manufacturer dedicated to developing competitively priced, naturally-derived biomaterials and biochemicals for market applications that range from food and beverage ingredients to water purification and biopharmaceuticals. The company uses a proprietary approach to grow naturally occurring microorganisms for their valuable compounds. The results are sustainable, efficient and cost-effective bioproducts that offer innovative alternatives to existing, often synthetic, products. Noblegen’s patented “directed expression” technique forms the core of the company’s multi-product platform. The technology originated in research Noble undertook at <a href="https://www.trentu.ca/">Trent University</a>, which won him several national and international awards. In 2013, he co-founded Noblegen with Dr. Andressa Lacerda to apply the research to solving the industrial challenge of wastewater pollution. OCE supported Noblegen in the company’s early stages, helping the company take its water purification technology from a science fair project to a full-scale demonstration. In 2014, a <a href="http://70.38.34.216/Feeds/www.oce-ontario.org/programs/industry-academic-collaboration/collaboration-voucher-program/VIP">Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP)</a> project validated the feasibility of the system. <a href="http://70.38.34.216/Feeds/www.oce-ontario.org/programs/commercialization-programs/market-readiness">Market Readiness</a> support allowed Noblegen to demonstrate its technology in a full-scale pilot project. Following Market Readiness support, Noblegen attracted significant follow-on investment and expanded the applications of its technology from wastewater to health, nutrition and biochemicals. The company is building a $20-million production facility in Peterborough scheduled to open in 2017. <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>Noblegen has raised $5.5 million in follow-on investment</li> <li>The company currently has 17 full-time employees and projects, adding 10 jobs in 2017</li> <li>OCE Investment: $140,729</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2016 Last updated 10/2016urn:uuid:b7fe1ed3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Market ReadinessEducationTranVoucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP)George BrownSuccess StoriesCentral OntarioInformation, Communications & Digital MediaPeekapakPeekapak is learning platform that brings character development and social-emotional learning to the classroom and home.Thu, 27 Oct 2016 16:09:47 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/peekapak-feature-image.png?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Peekapak is learning platform that brings character development and social-emotional learning to the classroom and home." title="peekapak feature image" /> Early education curricula emphasize the cognitive skill development of subjects like language arts and math – to help students succeed in the 21st century world. But this fails to include an equally crucial aspect to a child’s development — character education. <a href="https://www.peekapak.com/~home">Peekapak </a>co-founders Ami Shah and Angie Chan wanted to address this gap in a fun and engaging way. Working with early education experts, teachers and parents, they created Peekapak, a learning platform that brings character development and social-emotional learning to the classroom and home. Through the characters of Peekaville, Peekapak teaches students from pre-Kindergarten to grade three the core character concepts of perseverance, self-regulation, respect, teamwork, gratitude, empathy, kindness, resilience, courage, and honesty. Each concept is covered in a monthly unit that consists of an original storybook and lesson plans filled with activities for school and at home. OCE first supported Peekapak in 2015 through the <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/commercialization-programs/market-readiness">Market Readiness Customer Creation (MRCC) Program</a>, which helped the start-up pilot its platform in 20 schools across Canada and the U.S. and launch their freemium version in December. In 2016, Peekapak partnered with <a href="http://www.georgebrown.ca/earlychildhood/">George Brown College’s School of Early Childhood</a> on an OCE <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/industry-academic-collaboration/collaboration-voucher-program/VIP">VIP I</a> project that helped the company understand how children learn at home and design at-home learning activities for the program. An ongoing VIP project with <a href="http://www.georgebrown.ca/design/">George Brown’s School of Design</a> will help Peekapak develop game-based technology to capture insights on how students are progressing with the platform in real time. Peekapak currently has 20,000 users in 87 countries, including many in the Toronto, Peel and York school boards. The team is based out of <a href="http://dmz.ryerson.ca/">Ryerson’s DMZ</a> and is currently focusing on expanding to new districts across North America and evolving the platform. <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>Company closed $235,000 in angel investment since receiving funds from OCE’s Market Readiness Program</li> <li>Currently employs five full-time team members and projects doubling its staff in 2017</li> <li>OCE investment: $164,970</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2016 Last updated 10/2016 urn:uuid:52fe1ed3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Eastern/Northern OntarioQueen’sSuccess StoriesAfrandMarket ReadinessAdvanced Health TechnologiesCleanSlate UVCleanSlate UV has developed an innovative solution that uses UV-C light to rapidly sanitize cell phones, tablets and other devices. Thu, 27 Oct 2016 15:20:05 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/clean-slate-uv-feature.png?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="CleanSlate UV developed an innovative solution that uses UV-C light to rapidly sanitize cell phones, tablets and other devices. " title="CLEAN-SLATE-UV-feature" /> Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect over 200,000 patients in Canada each year, and more than 8,000 of these patients die as a result. Mobile devices – like smartphones, tablets and non-critical medical devices, are a major contamination risk in hospitals. One in four are contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, meaning they carry bacteria and undermine hand hygiene. Disinfectant wipes, the current best practice, harm devices and are prone to human error. <a href="http://www.cleanslateuv.com/">CleanSlate UV</a> has developed an innovative solution that uses UV-C light to rapidly sanitize cell phones, tablets and other devices. The <a href="http://www.cleanslateuv.com/the-cleanslate/">CleanSlate Sanitizer</a> kills at least 99.99% of HAIs, such as MRSA, VRE and C. difficile in 30 seconds. It causes no damage to electronic screens and requires no training to use. The system also tracks which devices are cleaned to ensure compliance with sanitization protocols. The company was formed in 2014 when the co-founders attended the <a href="http://queensu.ca/innovationconnector/programs/qic-summer-initiative-program/apply-qicsi">Queen’s Innovation Connector Summer Initiative</a>. In 2015, the team competed against 11,000 other applicants to win the top prize of $500,000 from <a href="http://www.43north.org/">43North</a>, an international pitch competition. OCE supported CleanSlate UV in 2016 through the <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/commercialization-programs/market-readiness">Market Readiness Program</a>, which accelerated the development of the start-up’s second-generation product. With OCE’s help, the team was able to double the initial number of devices produced, giving them invaluable feedback from new pilot projects and market traction for the official product launch. The CleanSlate UV Sanitizer launched in September 2016 and is currently used in hospitals in Toronto, Buffalo and New York City. Additionally, the product has been quickly adopted into food processing facilities and corporate campuses where there are concerns about bacterial contamination, with new deployments underway in Houston and New Zealand. <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>CleanSlate UV currently has nine full-time employees and anticipates growing to 19 next year</li> <li>The team solidified a partnership with Mississauga-based company C2P to keep manufacturing of the CleanSlate UV Sanitizer in Canada</li> <li>OCE Investment: $120,704</li> </ul> </div> OCE© 2016 Last updated 10/2016 urn:uuid:fafd1ed3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Queen’sAfrandAdvanced Health TechnologiesMedical Sciences Proof of Principle (MScPoP)TalentEdgeSuccess StoriesEastern/Northern OntarioCommercialization ProgramsAnalytics 4 LifeAnalytics 4 Life (A4L) has developed an analytics platform with the potential to disrupt the health-care space by enabling non-invasive, affordable screening and diagnosis of various diseases. Thu, 27 Oct 2016 15:10:22 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/analytics-4-life-feature.png?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Analytics 4 Life (A4L) developed an analytics platform that enables non-invasive, affordable screening and diagnosis of various diseases." title="ANALYTICS-4-LIFE-feature" /> Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Canada and an estimated 1.3 million Canadians are currently living with it. Early detection is crucial to decreasing death rates, but current diagnostic techniques can be invasive and costly. <a href="http://www.analytics4life.com/">Analytics 4 Life</a> (A4L) has developed an analytics platform with the potential to disrupt the health-care space by enabling non-invasive, affordable screening and diagnosis of various diseases. The platform uses proprietary machine-learned algorithms to reveal previously hidden information about a patient’s health status from within their physiological signals. The first application of the platform will be cardiac conditions. The technology could replace expensive, cumbersome methodologies such as nuclear stress tests and x-ray based computed tomography. Its ease of use will enable diagnostic testing for cardiac diseases in a broader range of settings, including at home. OCE first supported A4L in 2014 through a <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/commercialization-programs/medical-sciences-proof-of-principle-(msc-pop)">Medical Sciences Proof-of-Principle (MSc PoP) project</a> with <a href="http://www.queensu.ca/">Queen’s University</a> that explored predictive measures of cardiotoxicity. A <a href="http://70.38.34.216/Feeds/www.oce-ontario.org/programs/industry-academic-collaboration/talentedge">TalentEdge </a>Internship project helped the company develop a Quality Management System to ensure it meets compliance for Canadian and European markets. In 2016, A4L became a primary tenant in IBM’s Innovation Space in Toronto, part of a <a href="http://i3project.ca">partnership</a> between OCE and IBM that offers an integrated suite of globally disruptive, advanced computing technology infrastructure and programming to Ontario SMEs. With support from a SOSCIP-OCE TalentEdge Fellowship, the start-up is further developing the machine learning platform that forms the basis of its cardiac-specific system. A4L recently launched a two-stage, U.S.-based clinical study that is enrolling up to 2,500 subjects at as many as 25 sites. The first stage is designed to gain insight for its algorithms. The company plans on commercializing its system in the U.S. followed by Europe and Canada. <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>Raised $10 million in Series A financing</li> <li>Currently has 16 full-time employees</li> <li>OCE Investment: $134,899</li> </ul> </div> OCE© 2016 Last updated 10/2016urn:uuid:8cfd1ed3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Advanced ManufacturingAutomated VehiclesSuccess StoriesLandau GageCurrent measurement machines use a time-consuming process involving probes to measure the surface of a part. Windsor-based Landau Gage, a leading supplier of world-class measurement systems, wanted to develop an industry-leading alternative.Thu, 27 Oct 2016 14:55:38 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/landau-gage-feature.png?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Landau Gage's laser-based coordinate measuring machine reduces inspection time by 93 percent." title="Landau-Gage-feature" /> Auto manufacturers must carefully inspect every transmission component, measuring each part down to the micrometre to ensure rigorous safety and quality standards are met. Current measurement machines use a time-consuming process involving probes to measure the surface of a part. Windsor-based <a href="http://www.landaugage.com/">Landau Gage</a>, a leading supplier of world-class measurement systems, wanted to develop an industry-leading alternative. The company paired its mechanical engineering expertise with a leading-edge electrical and programming research team at University of Windsor to develop a measurement solution that drastically reduces the time it takes to inspect auto parts. The collaboration produced a patent-pending laser-based coordinate measuring machine that uses advanced algorithms to analyze transmission components and filter unwanted data. The system reduces inspection time by 93 per cent - from 15 minutes per part to less than two minutes. Less time spent per part translates to big cost savings for automotive manufacturers, as it allows for quicker adjustments and higher productivity. OCE first supported the Landau Gage-University of Windsor collaboration through the <a href="http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/industry-academic-collaboration/collaboration-voucher-program/VIP">Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP)</a> Program in 2013. The project focused on the development and implementation of the system’s algorithms. An ongoing VIP II project is refining the next-generation prototype in preparation for commercialization. Two <a href="http://70.38.34.216/Feeds/www.oce-ontario.org/programs/industry-academic-collaboration/talentedge">TalentEdge </a>funded interns are engaged on the project, focusing on improving the algorithms and user interface design. The fully functional prototype is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2016. A major player in the auto-parts industry has already purchased two systems and several other leading companies are on board to demonstrate the new version upon its release. <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>Technology has already generated over $200,000 USD in sales</li> <li>Two students that worked on the project have been hired by Landau Gage</li> <li>OCE Investment: $158,495</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2016 Last updated 10/2016urn:uuid:619d1ad3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Eastern/Northern OntarioCampus-Linked AcceleratorsSuccess StoriesStudents & Recent GraduatesNewsAdvanced ManufacturingCarleton student’s company to improve roving in space A Carleton University start-up supported by OCE’s Campus Linked Accelerators Program has won a half-million-dollar contract from the Canadian Space Agency.Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:26:26 ZBy Anne Kershaw <img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/news/ewan-reid.jpg?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Carleton graduate student Ewan Reid. Photo by: Justin Tang. " title="Ewan-Reid" /> A Carleton University start-up supported by OCE’s Campus Linked Accelerators Program has won a half-million-dollar contract from the Canadian Space Agency. The graduate student-led Mission Control Space Services Inc., which focuses on space exploration and robotics, has been commissioned to develop an Autonomous Soil Assessment System (ASAS) for planetary rovers. The technology will advance the ability of space rovers to avoid terrain conditions that might impede mobility.    Ewan Reid, a Technology Innovation Management student at Carleton, told the <a href="http://www.obj.ca/Technology/2015-12-21/article-4382846/Skys-the-limit-for-robotics-startup-Carleton-student-lands-500000-contract-for-space-agency-software-design/1" target="_blank">Ottawa Business Journal</a> that his objective is to see the technology on a rover on Mars or on the moon within the next five or 10 years. “This is a very impressive development for a young company and one more example of the amazing ingenuity and drive being shown by student entrepreneurs,” says Dr. Tom Corr, President and CEO of Ontario Centres of Excellence. “I have no doubt that this company has a bright future.” The start-up has received support from Carleton’s Lead to Win incubator, part of the <a href="http://www.capitalentrepreneursottawa.ca/programs.html" target="_blank">Capital Entrepreneurs</a> Campus Linked Accelerator (CLA) formed by Carleton University, University of Ottawa, Algonquin College and Invest Ottawa. CLAs are part of a program funded by the Ontario government to support student entrepreneurs gain business skills, mentorship and hands-on experience to start and grow a business.  Forty-two of 44 universities and colleges across Ontario have CLA or On-Campus Entrepreneurship Activities (OCEA) programs, which are managed by OCE and are part of Ontario’s Youth Jobs Strategy. urn:uuid:558c1ad3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Advanced ManufacturingTalentEdgeSouthwestern OntarioSuccess StoriesNewsColour-coded for successWith the commercial launch of his innovative technology and two prestigious award wins, 2015 was one for the books for Hamilton-raised entrepreneur Matthew Sheridan.Wed, 13 Jan 2016 21:22:10 ZBy Ariel Visconti <img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/news/matthew-sheridan.jpg?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Entrepreneur Matthew Sheridan with his invention, the Nix Pro Color Sensor. " title="Matthew Sheridan" /> With the commercial launch of his innovative technology and two prestigious award wins, 2015 was one for the books for Hamilton-raised entrepreneur Matthew Sheridan. President and CEO of <a href="https://nixsensor.com/" target="_blank">Nix Sensor Ltd.</a>, Sheridan was recently named Ontario’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the <a href="http://www.occ.ca/event/obaa/" target="_blank">2015 Ontario Business Achievement Awards</a>. The coveted award, presented by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, goes to a young Ontario entrepreneur who has built a unique and game-changing venture. Sheridan was also previously recognized at the <a href="http://www.manningawards.ca/en/welcome" target="_blank">Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards</a> gala, where he received the David E. Mitchell Award of Distinction. The $25,000 prize is presented to a Canadian entrepreneur who has successfully developed and commercialized a groundbreaking innovation. “Matthew is to be congratulated on building a truly innovative and successful business,” says Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) President and CEO Dr. Tom Corr. “This is also a tremendous example of Ontario’s innovation ecosystem at work, with various part of the system playing a role in the development of this company success story.” Sheridan’s invention, the Nix Pro Color Sensor, is a true game-changer for identifying and matching colours. The handheld, diamond-shaped device acts like a real-life eyedropper tool. It blocks out ambient light to scan the colour of any surface, and sends an accurate reading to a user’s smartphone where it can be saved, organized into colour palettes and matched to paints from leading brands. Without the Nix Pro, design and colour specialists have to carry countless paint chips and fan decks to match colours, a subjective and often inaccurate method. Since launching in February 2015, the Nix Pro has made a big difference to professionals across numerous fields including Paints and Coatings, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Printing and Packaging, Cosmetics, Food and Agriculture, Automotive, Special Effects, Textiles, and others. The device is now used in over 31 countries and has earned accolades worldwide from tech gurus at Gadget Review, Fast Company, TechCrunch, CES, The Next Web and more. Besides being a revolutionary technology, the Nix Pro represents a true made-in-Ontario success story — illustrating how a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem can support the development of new ventures and young entrepreneurs. The journey from eureka moment to commercialization involved numerous players in the innovation system along with OCE. Sheridan founded his company in 2012 when the Nix Sensor was just an idea. Venture Start funding from Hamilton’s <a href="http://innovationfactory.ca/" target="_blank">Innovation Factory</a> allowed him to hire a summer intern and build a prototype. The team then launched one of the first Canadian projects on Kickstarter, where they raised $70,000 to build the current iteration of the Nix Pro Sensor. Sheridan and his team continued to receive entrepreneurial support and mentorship from <a href="http://theforgehamilton.ca/" target="_blank">The Forge</a> in Hamilton, a start-up accelerator run in partnership between McMaster University, Innovation Factory and Mohawk College. The Forge is funded by Ontario’s Campus-Linked Accelerators (CLA) Program, managed by OCE. Nix Sensor graduated from The Forge after raising a major round of funding from angel investors, Wilfrid Laurier’s Startup Fund, MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF) and BDC. Despite opportunities to relocate to Silicon Valley or one of North America’s other renowned technology and start-up hubs, Sheridan and his team chose to stay at home in Hamilton. The start-up currently resides at McMaster Innovation Park and is proud that every Nix Pro Sensor is made locally. To achieve their goal of keeping manufacturing close to home, the team sought support through OCE’s TalentEdge Program, which enabled them to hire a PhD intern, Dixon Paez, to help develop a calibration robot. Automated calibration will allow the company to produce 1,000 units a day and ensure that quality is maintained. The new year is shaping up to be just as promising for Sheridan as he focuses on sales and growing his start-up. Nix Sensor currently has eight employees and projects doubling in 2016. And to add sheen to colour, the company also recently closed a deal with a global leader in the cosmetics industry. urn:uuid:ca501ad3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Success StoriesNewsEntrepreneurs & Start-upsEnergy & EnvironmentWorld leading energy technology makes debutA first-of-its-kind system that uses the vast depths of Lake Ontario to boost Toronto’s energy supply is being hailed as a major breakthrough in the area of energy storage. Representatives of Toronto-based start-up Hydrostor, Toronto Hydro and OCE – which supported the energy project from the outset – gathered last week to celebrate the official launch of the exciting new technology.Wed, 25 Nov 2015 18:15:53 ZBy Ariel Visconti <img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/news/hydrostor-launch-452.jpg?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Hydrostor's CEO Curtis VanWalleghem presents the company's revolutionary technology at the Toronto Island project launch." title="Hydrostor-launch" /> A first-of-its-kind system that uses the vast depths of Lake Ontario to boost Toronto’s energy supply is being hailed as a major breakthrough in the area of energy storage. Representatives of Toronto-based start-up <a href="http://www.hydrostor.ca/" target="_blank">Hydrostor</a>, Toronto Hydro and Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) – which supported the energy project from the outset – gathered last week to celebrate the official launch of the exciting new technology.   Hydrostor and Toronto Hydro partnered on the two-year pilot project to build the world’s first underwater compressed air energy storage system. Located off of Toronto Island, 55 metres underwater, Hydrostor’s patented system is connected to Toronto Hydro’s electricity grid and will store energy generated during off-peak hours to power the homes of approximately 350 island residents during periods of high demand or short power outages. "It's incredibly rewarding to see a technology and a company that we supported in the very early stages evolving the way Hydrostor has,” says Dr. Tom Corr, President and CEO of OCE. “This is truly a game-changing made-in-Ontario system that has tremendous potential on a global scale." The system works by first converting electricity to compressed air. A thermal management system captures heat produced during the compression process, which increases the system’s efficiency. The compressed air is then pressurized to the surrounding water depth pressure and stored in balloon-like accumulators. When energy is needed, the weight of the water pushes the stored compressed air back to shore where the heat is added back to the airstream before it powers an expander that creates electricity for consumers. Hydrostor’s technology is being hailed as a significant advancement in energy storage. It produces zero emissions and can potentially provide 100 per cent green electricity when combined with renewable energy sources, as it solves intermittency issues of wind and solar. It can also operate for more than 30 years with high reliability and without efficiency loss. The Toronto Island pilot project is the culmination of over five years of development and dedication that began with a eureka moment in 2010. Hydrostor Founder and President Cameron Lewis was trying to create a low-cost, environmentally neutral energy storage alternative to the conventional method of pumped-hydroelectric storage (PHS). PHS works by pumping water uphill between two reservoirs, but its suitability is limited because potential sites need elevated terrain and a water source to draw from. But Lewis had the groundbreaking idea of pumping air underwater, rather than pumping water on land, and his company was born. Lewis and Hydrostor’s CEO Curtis VanWalleghem quit their jobs to become full-time entrepreneurs and turn their idea into reality. OCE first supported Hydrostor at the early stages as the company worked with an engineering team at University of Windsor to conduct research studies, follow-up analysis and safety tests. These projects helped the team raise financing to build the first demonstration of their system, a six-month project in Lake Ontario off of Toronto’s Leslie Street Spit. Supported by OCE’s Collaborative Research Program, the successful pilot attracted Toronto Hydro to partner with Hydrostor on the Toronto Island project. The company received funding support from Ontario’s Innovation Demonstration Fund, Sustainable Development Technology Canada and venture capitalists to complete the facility. OCE also helped Hydrostor prepare for commercialization of its technology through the Market Readiness Program. With the Toronto facility now in full operation, Hydrostor is now focusing on commercializing the technology globally. The company has signed a contract to build a facility in Aruba and is receiving interest worldwide. The Hydrostor team, which has increased from three to 10 employees, anticipates growing to 15 by next summer.urn:uuid:16321ad3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Success StoriesVoucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP)Southwestern OntarioFanshaweEmpeyAdvanced ManufacturingHudson Boat WorksA fraction of a second can make all the difference for rowing teams competing for Olympic gold. Few understand this better than London-based Hudson Boat Works, one of the world’s three top manufacturers of custom racing shells for elite rowing programs. Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:49:54 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/hudson-452.jpg?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Glen Burston, Operations Manager, at the Hudson Boat Works facility in London, Ontario." title="Hudson-452" /> A fraction of a second can make all the difference for rowing teams competing for Olympic gold. Few understand this better than London-based <a href="https://www.hudsonboatworks.com/" target="_blank">Hudson Boat Works</a>, one of the world’s three top manufacturers of custom racing shells for elite rowing programs. Since 1984, Hudson boats have won 80 Olympic and World Rowing Championship medals. But now Hudson wants customers to know its boats are the best before they even hit the water. Hudson is currently the only manufacturer of its kind dedicated to providing customers with quantitative data on the quality of its handcrafted boats from the beginning of the manufacturing process. To do this, the company is developing technologies that measure key indicators of a boat’s performance. One important indicator is stiffness. For top performance, rowing shells must be as stiff as possible because flexibility wastes the crew’s energy. In collaboration with Fanshawe College’s Centre for Research and Innovation, Hudson has developed a first-of-its-kind test stand to measure the stiffness of each boat manufactured. Fanshawe faculty and students began designing the test stand in late 2013. Construction was made possible with $95,500 from Ontario Centres of Excellence’s Voucher for Innovation and Productivity II (VIP II) Program. Recently completed, the 40-foot aluminum stand goes into use starting January 2016. The test stand, which enables Hudson to eliminate variance and improve the quality of its boats, will be integral to Hudson’s system for delivering key performance metrics to customers. The company continues to work with Fanshawe on additional technologies. <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>Team has grown by 10 employees in the last year, bringing the total to 80</li> <li>Projects 15-20% of additional growth in staff over the next two years</li> <li>OCE investment: $95,562</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2015 Last updated 10/2015urn:uuid:cd311ad3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Success StoriesVoucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP)UofTTechnical Problem SolvingTalentEdgeEastern/Northern OntarioAfrandAdvanced ManufacturingSolantro Semiconductor Corp.Smaller, more cost-effective inverters will increase the adoption of clean PV energy. To solve this challenge, Solantro Semiconductor Corp. expanded the scope of its relationship with the University of Toronto to design a high-density, high-efficiency inverter platform.Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:49:34 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/solantro-452.jpg?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Ray Orr, CTO and Antoine Paquin, CEO, Solantro Semiconductor Corp." title="Solantro-452" /> Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems offer a clean energy alternative to fossil fuels, but they need to be economically viable to compete. DC to AC power conversion, performed by inverters, can represent up to 15 per cent of the overall cost of PV systems. An inverter sized to handle the combined power from a typical residential PV installation is roughly the size of a cooler. Smaller, more cost-effective inverters will increase the adoption of clean PV energy, including in remote locations that lack power infrastructure and must rely on diesel generators. However, shrinking the size of inverters is a major technical challenge, which led Google to launch the Little Box Challenge in 2014 with a $1,000,000 prize going to the team who creates the smallest, most efficient inverter. Ottawa-based <a href="http://www.solantro.com/" target="_blank">Solantro Semiconductor Corp.</a> designs semiconductor chipsets for distributed and scalable renewable power systems. In response to the Google Little Box Challenge, Solantro expanded the scope of its relationship with the University of Toronto to design a high-density, high-efficiency inverter platform. Using Solantro’s chipsets and Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices, the multi-disciplinary team from U of T is developing a prototype that is at least 10 times smaller than today’s state-of-the-art inverters. The project is supported by OCE’s Voucher for Innovation and Productivity II (VIP II) Program. OCE also supported the Solantro-U of T collaboration through a 2013 Technical Problem Solving project to demonstrate efficient and lightweight power converters for renewable energy, using a novel form of integrated storage which mitigates the impact of intermittent solar energy throughout the day. Upon completion of the VIP II project in 2016, Solantro plans to expand its product offering and disrupt the industry with its highly integrated inverter platform. The company is currently participating in OCE’s TalentEdge Internship Program which is providing funding for a U of T PhD student.  <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>Currently employs 38 full-time people</li> <li>Secured $25 million in venture capital</li> <li>OCE investment: $85,000</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2015 Last updated 10/2015urn:uuid:83311ad3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Success StoriesVoucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP)Energy & EnvironmentEastern/Northern OntarioCambrian CollegeAfrandGreenhouses Canada (GHC)Growing local food is a challenge in Ontario’s northern climate due to a short growing season. Sudbury-based Greenhouses Canada (GHC), in collaboration with Cambrian College, has developed an innovative, energy efficient greenhouse solution.Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:49:02 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/ghc-452.jpg?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Greenhouses Canada (GHC) in collaboration with Cambrian College, have designed a greenhouse that allows for year-round growing in northern regions." title="GHC-452" /> Growing local food is a challenge in Ontario’s northern climate due to a short growing season. As a result, fresh healthy produce can be scarce and expensive for communities. Greenhouses offer the potential for prolonged indoor growing, but high heating costs during extremely cold winters are a barrier for many northern growers. Sudbury-based Greenhouses Canada (GHC), in collaboration with Cambrian College, has developed an innovative, energy efficient greenhouse solution. Cambrian researchers found that most of a greenhouse’s heat is lost through its glass walls. By replacing some of the glass walls with insulated material and incorporating an angled roof shape, they were able to design a greenhouse that reduces heating costs by 85 per cent, allowing for year-round growing. The system uses water-based growing techniques such as hydroponics and aquaponics, which produce a higher yield at a faster pace than conventional soil-based growing. Also, water-based techniques conserve water. A two-year Ontario Centres of Excellence Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP) project allowed GHC and Cambrian to build a demonstration system in Espanola, Ontario. Now fully operational, the greenhouse is growing lettuce, peas, kale, cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers. GHC has secured contracts to build greenhouse systems in other communities in Northern Ontario and Saskatchewan, with plans to expand to other remote locations in Canada and beyond. The company is now working with Cambrian on geothermal systems for the greenhouse, which upon proof of concept, would make it completely off-grid. <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>Significant social and economic impacts including improved food security and creating local jobs</li> <li>Projects hiring 50+ employees in the next three years</li> <li>Hired three Cambrian graduates from the project to full-time positions</li> <li>OCE investment: $19,030</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2015 Last updated 10/2015urn:uuid:3d311ad3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Success StoriesTalentEdgeSmartStart Seed FundRitchieInformation, Communications & Digital MediaEastern/Northern OntarioAlgonquin CollegeGymtrackKeeping track of workouts is critical for making progress and seeing results at the gym, but ways to do this have evolved little from old paper-and-pen methods. Ottawa start-up Gymtrack wants to improve the experience of gym-goers everywhere with its workout tracking technology.Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:48:39 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/gymtrack-452.jpg?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Benefitting both gym owners and their clients, Gymtrack’s technology consists of sensors for gym equipment, a wearable device for members, and an app." title="Gymtrack-452" /> Keeping track of workouts is critical for making progress and seeing results at the gym, but ways to do this have evolved little from old paper-and-pen methods. Ottawa start-up <a href="http://www.home.gymtrack.co/" target="_blank">Gymtrack</a> wants to improve the experience of gym-goers everywhere with its workout tracking technology. Benefitting both gym owners and their clients, Gymtrack’s technology consists of sensors for gym equipment, a wearable device for members, and an app. For gyms, the platform serves as a way to differentiate themselves in a competitive market. With Gymtrack, gyms can provide virtual personal training services and increase member retention by keeping clients motivated and engaged. Members can easily keep track of their workouts, saving information like the amount of weight lifted, repetitions, sets, and distance run or biked on their smartphone. It also tracks calories burned in real time. OCE first supported Gymtrack with $30,000 from the SmartStart Seed Fund, which co‑CEO Pablo Srugo says came at a critical time in the start-up’s early stages of development. The team is now working on a TalentEdge Fellowship project that will help create proprietary connected devices that are installed onto gym equipment to track weight lifted, count repetitions, and identify equipment. The Fellow’s research will help improve the accuracy and reliability of all three devices.   Gymtrack’s platform is currently being used in beta form at Algonquin College, and later this year the team is launching the first commercial version at a major international gym chain with thousands of locations. <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>Currently employs 35 full-time team members</li> <li>Projects hiring 50+ staff in the next two years</li> <li>Raised $2.5 million in follow-on investment</li> <li>OCE investment: $95,000</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2015 Last updated 10/2015urn:uuid:55301ad3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Success StoriesVoucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP)TranEnergy & EnvironmentEastern/Northern OntarioDurhamDurham FoodsTraditionally, spinach has been unsuitable for indoor growing because of its susceptibility to fungus. But an innovative Durham-based company has engineered a way to avoid this by growing spinach in water, and without using any pesticides or fungicides.Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:46:30 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/durhamfoods.jpg?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Durham Foods' President Jim Sheehan. " title="DurhamFoods" /> Spinach is a notoriously finicky field crop. Canada’s tumultuous climate only allows growers to yield 1-2 crops per year, resulting in the need to import over $100 million of the leafy vegetable. Traditionally, spinach has been unsuitable for indoor growing because of its susceptibility to fungus. But an innovative Durham-based company has engineered a way to avoid this by growing spinach in water, and without using any pesticides or fungicides. <a href="http://www.durhamfoods.com/" target="_blank">Durham Foods</a> is the only company commercially growing hydroponic spinach in North America. By creating an optimal environment to grow indoors, the company’s spinach tastes even better than field-grown. But its next challenge was to increase the volume of spinach produced. To speed up the production process, the company collaborated with Durham College on an OCE Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP) project to develop an automated spinach harvester. The project outcome was a spinach harvester that gets 30 per cent more spinach off the pond in a fraction of the normal time. Because they never touch human hands, crops are protected from contaminants such as E. coli, ensuring food safety for consumers. The harvester allows Durham Foods to yield 18 or more crops per year, up to three times more than field growers in California, a leading exporter of spinach. Durham Foods markets its hydroponic spinach at Metro, Loblaws and Sobeys locations in the Durham and North York regions, where its superior taste has created a high demand by customers. The family-run business is continuing to work with Durham College and OCE to refine the harvester and develop other supportive technologies for growing hydroponic spinach. <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>Projects hiring 4-6 full-time employees over the next two years</li> <li>Potential to establish Ontario as a leading exporter of safe, year-round greens</li> <li>OCE investment: $19,962</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2015 Last updated 10/2015urn:uuid:fb2f1ad3-a37c-60a4-9b63-ff0000000643 Success StoriesSmartStart Seed FundMarket ReadinessLeachInformation, Communications & Digital MediaCentral OntarioOptimityOrganizations are now devoting more and more resources towards encouraging employees to incorporate healthy behaviours into their workday routine, and Toronto-based Optimity’s suite of software can help. Optimity offers customizable workplace wellness software solutions that help build powerful habits for professionals.Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:46:06 Z<img src="http://70.38.34.216/images/default-source/success-stories/optimity452.jpg?sfvrsn=0" displaymode="Original" alt="Co-founder and CEO Jane Wang and the Optimity team. " title="Optimity452" /> Numerous studies warn against the dangers of stress and a sedentary lifestyle, which can negatively affect employee health and translate to higher costs for employers. Organizations are now devoting more and more resources towards encouraging employees to incorporate healthy behaviours into their workday routine, and Toronto-based Optimity’s suite of software can help. <a href="http://myoptimity.com/" target="_blank">Optimity</a> (formerly myHealthSphere) offers customizable workplace wellness software solutions that help build powerful habits for professionals. Its flagship app Dooo reminds employees to complete small tasks throughout the day such as drinking water, stretching, meditating, or eating a healthy snack. The platform also awards points for completed tasks that employees can redeem for rewards. Optimity got its start in MaRS Discovery District and is now a part of Ryerson University’s Digital Media Zone. An effective and simple way for employees to proactively take control of their mental and physical well-being, Dooo is catching the attention of HR departments. Since securing its first customer in October 2014, Optimity has generated over $70,000 in revenue and now serves 15 firms across four different cities with 650 active paid users. And its workplace wellness tool is already achieving long-term habit-forming results. With 10 minutes a day, Dooo has helped over 50 per cent of users to establish “powerful habits” as defined by their CEOs. Three clients have even reported decreases in sick days for two straight quarters. Case studies are showing that employees feel more connected and energized at work.  OCE initially supported Optimity through the SmartStart Seed Fund, which helped the team build its Minimum Viable Product and make its first sale. The start-up recently completed a Market Readiness Customer Creation project and is continuing to work with OCE. <div class="oce-success-callout"> <h2>Return on Innovation</h2> <ul> <li>Currently employs 8 full-time people</li> <li>Projects hiring 40 employees in the next two years</li> <li>OCE investment: $155,000</li> </ul> </div> OCE©2015 Last updated 10/2015