Startups Wanted for The Communitech Hub: Digital Media and Mobile Accelerator
TORONTO, May 18 /CNW/ - Communitech, Waterloo Region's technology organization, is rolling out the welcome mat for startups during this week's Discovery 2010 event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, seeking tenants for its new digital media and mobile accelerator - The Communitech Hub.
The Communitech Hub will open its doors in downtown Kitchener in late summer, offering more than 2,000 square feet of space tailor-made for accelerated progress by early-stage technology companies. Tenants in the facility will have access to Communitech's Executives-in-Residence program which provides advice free of charge through a team of experienced tech company founders and former executives. Startups will also gain connection to the Communitech network of more than 700 technology companies in Waterloo Region, and have access to the specialized tools and Research and Development (R&D) infrastructure available at The Hub.
"Waterloo Region is increasingly being recognized as one of the best places in the world to do a startup," said Iain Klugman, president and CEO of Communitech. "We've modeled The Communitech Hub on the considerable success of our partners at the Accelerator Centre which is where Communitech is located along with a number of early stage companies in the Waterloo Research and Technology Park. And we'll be working closely with them to offer a coordinated set of programs and services to startups in Waterloo Region, both at the Accelerator Centre, and at the new facility."
Waterloo Region's tech organization launched The Communitech Hub in November, 2009 with a $26M investment by the Province of Ontario, $5.35M through the federal Centres of Excellence in Commercialization and Research program, and more than $40M in commitments from private partners. Klugman calls The Hub a bold initiative designed to give Ontario companies a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.
"The Communitech Hub is all about making connections," said Kevin Tuer, Vice-president Digital Media at Communitech, "As a digital media and mobile accelerator, our job is to help startups build their business by providing appropriate space, connecting them to sources of talent and capital, and by leveraging the expertise of our partners across the country through the Canadian Digital Media Network."
The Communitech Hub features:
* 30,000 square feet of space dedicated to the growth of digital media research and commercialization
* A mix of early stage, SME, multinational companies, government, and academic partners
* A 3D immersive environment, premier event space, state-of-the-art labs, prototyping & virtual conferencing facilities and more
* Digital media collaboration, R&D and commercialization opportunities
* Connections to digital media efforts across the country through the Canadian Digital Media Network
Communitech is an exhibitor at Discovery 2010; the commercialization conference hosted by Ontario Centres of Excellence which continues today at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
About Communitech
Communitech (less than)http://www.communitech.ca(greater than) www.communitech.ca is the regional hub for the commercialization of innovation in Waterloo Region, creating economic prosperity by removing barriers to the creation and growth of tech companies.
For further information: For further information: Media Contact: Shelley Grandy, Sr. PR Advisor, Communitech, (905) 866-2656 or [email protected]; Facility Contact: Glenn Koehler, Business Development & Partnerships, Communitech, (519) 579-7369 or [email protected]
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