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Greetings!
One thing we are always asking ourselves at HalTech is: how can we help our entrepreneurs more? What needs are we seeing? Who can we connect? We are committed to finding new and exciting ways to support our entrepreneurs on their path to success. To that end, we've got some exciting events planned for 2013 that we know will be a catalyst for growth and change for clients at all stages. Check our website for details!
HalTech is fortunate to add to its Entrepreneurship in Residence program by welcoming Vince Mifsud and Steve Barrett. Vince is the current CFO for Scribblelive.com and brings his skills from various C-Level positions in the technology industry. Steve has been at the helm of several successful technology companies and brings an enthusiasm for inspiring teams, navigating government grants and managing technical development.
HalTech welcomes Julie Lukkarila as Client Services Liaison and Elizabeth Plouffe to the role of Marketing, Communications and Event Coordinator. Julie can be reached at julie@haltech.ca or 905-845-9439 ext. 2760 and Elizabeth can be reached at: 905-845-9430 ext.2761 or elizabeth@haltech.ca.
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What's Hot !? Level Up and Pythons' Pit
Level Up is a funding program from the Business Acceleration Program that is administered through Ontario's 14 Regional Innovation Centres. The fund is made available to early stage technology entrepreneurs that are looking to advance their company to the next level.
There have been three 'Level Up' rounds thus far. HalTech has had tremendous success accounting for on average 23% of all funds that were awarded. This success is a reflection of the hard work and perseverance of our entrepreneurs who put trust in us to advise and guide them on their entrepreneurial journey.
The final round of the year is geared towards Life Sciences / Advanced Manufacturing and Health Care companies. Good luck to all those who applied!
Pythons' Pit is an entrepreneurial initiative brought to you by the Halton Region Rotary Club and the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. Pythons' Pit provides an avenue for creative, entrepreneurial residents and students of Halton Region to pitch their business concepts and product ideas in front of a live audience and a panel of business moguls from the local community. (Think Dragon's Den without the fear of facing Kevin O'Leary.)
HalTech has volunteered its services towards mentoring and advising the applicants in addition to supporting the screening committee's decision process. The top 10 entries will be asked to appear in front of a screening panel the week of February 11th. The top five entries will then participate in the Pythons' Pit, which will be held at the Ron Joyce Centre on March 23rd, 2013.
If you would like to submit an application to Pythons' Pit via HalTech please contact us at info@haltech.ca.
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Making News
2012 Halton Entrepreneurship Week brought together over 100 members of the Halton Community to connect with local experts, businesses and opportunities to learn.
In partnership with the Halton Small Business Centre, HalTech provided a three day conference that, in one participants words, made them feel like they "earned a mini-MBA". Topics such as how to develop a business plan and promoting business through social media provided fledgling and established business owners some insight in to how to take their business to the next level one tweet at a time.
Guest speakers, including Ralph Benmergui, Charles Plant, Steve Barrett and Martin van Zon provided insight when discussing leadership, the necessity of planning and how Regional Innovation Centres are here to provide access to support and resources. Participants were appreciative during and after the event with one remarking, "Thank you for all your help with my small biz. You have no idea how much your info sessions and this workshop have helped." This makes all the hard work that goes in to events like Entrepreneurship week happen: our clients.
2012 Halton Entrepreneurship week was such a success, that HalTech and Halton Small Business Centre are already discussing ideas for 2013. Stay tuned for details in our upcoming newsletters !
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November sped by for the HalTech team!
We strengthened partnerships across Halton, and delivered some great events with those partners to the many entrepreneurs in the Region. Our great challenge - and opportunity - is to form more high impact partnerships and make them work for all parties.
With almost 300 event attendees, this month alone, we are certainly creating connections and strengthening the small business community in Halton. Fueled by the success of an amazing (and exhausting) first month at HalTech, Elizabeth has a full slate of events planned for the New Year - watch our web site and December newsletter for more information.
Our client-facing front line are making a difference for many companies in the Region and punching above their weight. In fact, with the help of Raajan and Donna, HalTech clients received 23% of the total Level Up funds available across the 14 RIC's - no mean feat, considering how new we are. Julie has been working tirelessly on recruiting and developing guidelines for our mentors and has continued to pair members of our Volunteer Mentor Network with clients. The feedback so far from all parties has been amazing. We plan to end 2012 on a high note making as much of a difference in December as we did in November and preparing for success in 2013. Yours in Innovation, Karen Sievewright President, HalTech RIC
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Spotlight on Success
Advanced Test and Automation
Engineer Anthony Khoraych once revamped the attendance software at his highschool to allow the data to download easily to an automatic phone dialer. The change was a lifesaver for the office staff and although not thrilled, really impressed his friends. Today, Khoraych impresses even more as the creative and resourceful owner of http://www.advancedta.com. This fast growing, Milton based tech company is changing the way industries can test the quality of their manufactured products. Looking to expand in to test fibre optic sensors, Khoraych knew he would need help navigating access to government assistance. Through contact with Communitech, HalTech became the beacon Khoraych needed to partner with specialists in product development and gain access to $120,000 in funding for research, talent and salaries. "If I had to tell you the biggest thing these organizations have done for me, it's got to be the huge time savings," says Khoraych. "We went from zero to 100 per cent state of the art thanks to HalTec." When Karen Sievewright, president of HalTech, first visited the modest office space of Advanced, she saw past the small size and recognized the big ideas brewing there. By being connected to the services HalTech can provide, like access to c-suite mentors and support during the funding process, Khoraych knows he's on his way to success. "We're a small company, a team of five, but really, we're stronger than that. There are 30-40 people out there working for us, who understand what we are trying to do, and it's easy as picking up the phone. There are incredible resources out there for entrepreneurs." HalTech continues to support Advanced Test and Automation and sees a bright future for the young company. With client success stories like this, we will continue to be a beacon for entrepreneurs in the Halton community. |
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What's Coming Up !
November 12-14, 2012:
2012 Halton Entrepreneurship Week
This great event provided an opportunity for entrepreneurs, mentors and businesses to connect. Look out for E-Week 2013!
December 12, 2012:
Innovation Lunch Series with Ralph Benmergui
December 14, 2012:
P2P for Marketing
To learn more about these events and to register click here. |
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We look forward to connecting with you soon.
Karen, Raajan, Julie, Elizabeth, Donna, Vince, Steve & Anne
HalTech Regional Innovation Centre
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| Mark your Calendars |
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