HalTech Regional Innovation Centre
Start. Grow. Succeed
Helping Halton's Companies Thrive
Newsletter
August-2014
From the President 

New Month, New Season, New Challenges 

 

I can't believe it's the last long weekend of the summer.  The end of summer is always a little bittersweet - the vacation is over, the kids are going back to school, but it's a sign the hot weather is finally coming to an end (thank goodness). 

 

Fall signals it's back to business as usual and it's great to see everyone coming back with a renewed energy and attitude ready to tackle new projects and challenges.  As we roll into this busy season we would love to hear your opinion on what has worked in the past and what you would like get from our workshop and P2P series.  Please use this link to the survey.

 

Speaking of fall, unfortunately I took a tumble of my own this summer, chasing after my new dog Belle. So the next time you see me around I'll most likely be sporting a fancy air cast.

 

Here at HalTech we have a lot of things happening this September.  In a few weeks we will have our Fall Mixer, which is a great opportunity to network and mingle and make connections with new faces in the community.

 

I hope to meet many of you there, and at the many upcoming HalTech events this fall.

 

Coworking: Digital Nomads Now Have a Space to Call Home

 
Technology has afforded the self-employed the ability to do business almost anywhere. With a laptop and a Wi-Fi connection it's easy to set up shop from the comfort of your own home.  But some may find working from home a bit too comfortable or even isolating.  Luckily over the last decade there has been an increase in coworking space opening up in cities across the globe.

What is a coworking space?

A coworking space is an office shared among users who are not typically employed by the same organization.  It offers a community for those who normally work alone, but have the flexibility to run their own businesses out of a shared space. Members benefit from sharing the cost of rent, and office resources like Wi-Fi, photocopiers, and fax machines. They also get an opportunity to network within the local business community.

 

A recent study from Deskmag, an online magazine for the shared space community found that 62% of users surveyed saw an improvement in their standard of work, while a whopping 71% said their creativity had increased since becoming a member of a coworking space.

 

Following the success of coworking spaces in major urban centres like Toronto, the idea is starting to spread to suburban communities.  Entrepreneurs are now, more than ever, starting to realize the value of shared office space.  Those who choose to work out of a suburban space, have the ability to work close to home - avoiding horrible rush hour traffic (bonus) and do not have to be confined to a home office.

 

As the popularity of coworking continues to rise, services offered by the spaces start to increase.  Currently, many spaces run social events and seminars tailored to the needs of their specific community. In addition coworking members are now able to apply for COHIP a health insurance plan for those who participate in the Coworking Ontario collective.

How do I get started?

If you're wondering if coworking is right for you or your business visit http://coworkingontario.ca/ for more information.

 

GoRightIn: A Simpler, Smarter Way to Manage
Pre-Service Waits

  

We've all been there before, whether it's the grocery store, government office, or doctor's office - we all dread the thought of waiting in a long queue.  It was that very same situation that led to the idea for GoRightIn - with Jennifer Kraemer and her co-founder thinking there has to be a better way.

GoRightIn replaces the long wait of physical line-ups with the freedom of virtual queues. Customers 'get in line' by signing up from wherever they are via the web.  The customer will then receive an automated message detailing their expected time of service.

The technology not only helps the customer avoid a tedious wait, but opens a line of communication between business and customer to help ensure quality service.


 
Since its beginnings, the company has worked to find a technology partner

aligned with their vision, ensuring the core team was driven by passion and has 

the bandwidth and perseverance to keep working the idea.

All that passion and hard work has certainly has paid off,  recently GoRightIn was shortlisted by an incubator program out of the US. They've been selected to move forward from a group of 7000 entrepreneurial submissions, and are now one of 113 companies competing for a place in the program.  In addition, they have secured a letter of intent by a progressive health provider in Canada - who likes the company's take on the problem and solution set and want to collaborate.


HalTech has assisted GoRightIn along the way by placing them with Vince Mifsud, an Entrepreneur in Residence with success in the same sector.  Vince has added value by helping the company understand their market and ensuring their message is on point. In the future GoRightIn will continue to secure pilots in newly identified client segments and accelerate their product roadmap. 


When asked to give advice to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to break into the tech sector Kraemer says it's important to "cultivate a good support network and find good mentors." But above all "believe in your ability to make a change in the world."


 

Javelin Technologies Reports Growing Interest in 3D Design and 3D Printing in Western Canada



3D seems to be the tech topic of the year in Canada's western provinces and the nation's own Javelin Technologies is leading the charge, partnering with creative engineers in sectors such as agriculture, oil and gas, water purification, manufacturing, health care, and education.

Known across Canada for working alongside designers to help turn their concepts into reality, Javelin has gathered its nationwide team this week to learn, network, strategize, and socialize, and to celebrate all it has achieved since the purchase of Automated Design Systems (ADS). That move, in April 2013, gave Javelin four new locations and an established team in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg. Javelin's head office is just west of Toronto in Oakville, Ontario and it has an eastern Canada hub in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Intensely focused on training and ongoing support, Javelin is a Certified Reseller for SolidWorks� computer-aided design (CAD) software and a full range of Stratasys 3D printers that can produce finely detailed, true-to-life models, prototypes, and parts for engineers, manufacturers, physicians, and dreamers of all kinds.

John Carlan is managing director of Javelin Technologies. He says people in western Canada are eager to learn more about 3D design and 3D printing, why it's so popular, and what it can do for them in their own businesses.

"We've been keeping very busy telling the story of 3D to companies in the west and we're always happy to tell it," Carlan says. "Our printers give you the fullest possible idea of how your end product will look, feel, and perform. Designers can navigate the software easily and quickly, so they just run with their creativity. And prototypes cost less to produce and test, so you get to market faster than ever before - faster than your competitors."

Carlan says Javelin's acquisition of ADS, also a Canadian reseller for SolidWorks software, opened up western markets for Javelin and allowed the company to take advantage of the bigger trend toward ever-increasing adoption of high-tech tools in the west.

"ADS was a service-oriented company already established in major business centres in western Canada," he says. "When we first looked at them from the outside, we saw great talent looking after great customers in regions and sectors we were itching to explore. Now that we're all on the inside together, we're continually buzzing about the cool work being done and how we can help people do more of it."

In Saskatchewan, Brandt Industries recently invested in a full SolidWorks software solutions platform. This major investment in technology includes more than 200 various licenses of SolidWorks products, making Javelin the company's preferred CAD software provider. Although most know Brandt for its ties to agriculture, they also manufacture equipment for construction, forestry, mining, oil and gas, and road and rail. In 2013, Brandt marked a new milestone, with company revenues exceeding $1 billion for the first time.

As economic development efforts in Canada's western cities focus on encouraging diversification and innovation in their local business community, Javelin is perfectly positioned to contribute.

"Because we help inspire creative 3D projects across so many critical sectors of the local economy, I think we make a pretty good neighbour," Carlan says. "There are so many opportunities for us to enable better productivity and business growth for our customers because we now have solid roots all across Canada. The will is definitely there - we just need to show people the way."
Thanks for reading, we look forward to connecting 
with you soon!

Sincerely,
 
The HalTech Team
Karen, Stan, Anita, Olivia, Vanessa, Jeff, Marc, Anne, Donna, Steve, Vince, and Sam
HalTech Regional Innovation Centre

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HalTech wants to hear from you! 

Fill out our 2014 Fall Survey for the chance to win one of three gift cards!


What's coming up?
September 11th, 2014 

September 15th, 2014

September 11th, 2014

September 25th, 2014

To see what else is happening at HalTech:
 

 

Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

This fall, HalTech will 

be celebrating the accomplishments of 

the community's entrepreneurs. 

 

The Entrepreneur of 

the Year award is an opportunity to recognize those in the business community that have made great strides in the tech and advanced manufacturing sector within the last year. 

 

Categories include: 

  • Young Entrepreneur
  • Best Up-and-Coming Company
  • Best Growth Company
Submissions open September 8th. Click here for more info!
 
New Deadline for the 2014 Oakville Innovation Awards
HalTech has teamed up with Oakville Chapter of Professional Engineers Ontario and the Town of Oakville in presenting the Oakville Innovation Awards.

Connecting the area's small and large companies, this award celebrates technology and engineering excellence while recognizing those who have participated in the development of exceptional products or processes that exhibit leading edge research and development. 

Submissions will be accepted until Sept. 30 and the awards reception will be held on November 19. 

Grant Thornton Panel Discussion on Cross-Border Tax Strategies

  

If you do business in the U.S., make it your business to attend this event. Four of Grant Thornton's highly experienced cross-border tax specialists will engage in an informative discussion about smart tax planning for Canadian companies operating outside Canada. 


 
Enjoy cocktails and conversation with multinational business leaders. You'll glean insights to cross-border tax planning that could change how you do business in the United States - and improve your bottom line. 

 

Date: Wednesday September 17, 
3:30 p.m.- 6 p.m.

 

Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Room 401, South Building

 

Register by Wednesday September 10th 


NEW! Meet 
Our Team

Business Analyst

Jeff is pursuing his passion for business by working towards his MBA. He has a wide variety of skills with a rich background in mobile and web based technology. Previously, he focused his studies on Web Development and Database Architecture in which he worked on many projects with well-known companies. He currently is CMO of his own tech start-up and one of Canada's youngest business analysts. He looks up to his late grandfather as a role model for business. In his spare time he enjoys playing the guitar, harmonica, banjo, doing some freelance graphic design work, and coding various websites and applications for fun... yes, for fun. 




 



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