FEDDEV ONTARIO’S FOCUS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
FEBRUARY 2019
In this issue 
FEBRUARY 2019
ISSUES ARCHIVE
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Making Headlines
- Windsor’s Automotive Sector Gets Boost from FedDev Ontario
- Applicants Wanted for New FedDev Ontario Funding
- FedDev Ontario Announces Support for Francophone Communities
- Ottawa-Based Software Company Better Readies First Responders
- FedDev Ontario Funding Helps Divert Food Waste from Landfills
- Baylis Releases First-of-Its-Kind Medical Device in Canada
- Small Business Services Provides Important Alerts for Southern Ontario SMEs
- Community Futures Peterborough Adds Spark to Stimulate Local Business Growth
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Project News & Updates
Making Headlines
The funding announcement, made by Minister Bains, will help both companies scale up and create well-paying jobs for Windsor.
Windsor’s Automotive Sector Gets Boost from FedDev Ontario
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, stopped in Windsor on route to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, to announce more than $5 million for two automotive industry manufacturers. The investments will create jobs and support local supply chains. APAG Elektronik produces electronics and lighting components for automotive and industrial customers and is establishing a new facility in Windsor to serve as its North American headquarters. Service Mold + Aerospace Inc. is scaling up its recently built manufacturing plant to become one of the largest machining centres in southern Ontario.
Applicants Wanted for New FedDev Ontario Funding
FedDev Ontario is now accepting project proposals and entrepreneurs, innovators and organizations are encouraged to apply! Three simplified funding streams provide a clear and easier application process for both businesses and not-for-profits. Projects that focus on implementing leading-edge technologies, building on regional strengths, creating well-paying jobs and promoting inclusive growth will be considered. Check our website to find out which streams could work for you, and contact us at 1-866-593-5505 to find out more. Help us help you build a strong southern Ontario economy!
Left to right: Carol Jolin, AFO President; Mona Fortier, MP Ottawa–Vanier; Peter Hominuk, Executive Director, AFO and Carl Lamarche, Special Projects Coordinator, AFO.
FedDev Ontario Announces Support for Francophone Communities
Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier, announced that FedDev Ontario is providing l’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) with $1.25 million to launch “Effet multiplicateur” [“Multiplier Effect”], a new program to support local Francophone organizations. With this investment, AFO will provide assistance to at least 50 Francophone businesses and not-for-profit organizations, including those geared towards youth, women and new immigrants. AFO expects this new program will create up to 75 jobs in southern Ontario.
Ottawa-Based Software Company Better Readies First Responders
Advance Property eXposure Canada Inc. (APX) is receiving $615,000 from FedDev Ontario to further commercialize cutting-edge technology designed to assist first responders. The company’s APX SmartCaptureTM software quickly puts building layouts and floor plans in the hands of emergency personnel, improving response time and safety. Critical information is shared by dispatchers and displayed on smartphones and tablets in the field. APX develops mobile technology solutions to address Smart City infrastructure needs. Through this project, APX will create up to 15 full-time, skilled jobs in southern Ontario.
FedDev Ontario Funding Helps Divert Food Waste from Landfills
FedDev Ontario has invested up to $225,000 in Cornwall’s Food Cycle Science to help the company scale up and globalize its green technology. FoodCycler is a kitchen-friendly composter that is odourless, easy to use and quickly turns food scraps into organic fertilizer. The unit, which is designed for both home and office use, can reduce waste by up to 90 percent. By diverting food waste from landfills, this technology is helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to a healthier environment for everyone. Three full-time jobs are also being created through the project.
Baylis Releases First-of-Its-Kind Medical Device in Canada
Baylis Medical has announced the Canadian launch of its uniquely designed cardiology device. The company’s ExpanSure™ Transseptal Dilation System provides increased therapeutic access during procedures and improves patient care. Dr. Peter Leong-Sit, who conducted one of the device’s first clinical uses, says the ExpanSure™ dilator’s streamlined design accommodated challenging applications that other devices could not. The system is expected to launch in the United States in early 2019. Baylis Medical designs, produces and distributes high-performance cardiology devices around the world. The company received funding from FedDev Ontario to accelerate the development and commercialization of several innovative medical devices.
Small Business Services Provides Important Alerts for Southern Ontario SMEs
In addition to providing a call centre info line, market research and business information services, FedDev Ontario Small Business Services tracks developments of potential interest to entrepreneurs and small business owners in southern Ontario. For example, the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations came into effect on January 15 to safeguard Canada’s food supply by preventing unsafe food from entering the marketplace. Import licenses are now required for all pre-packaged foods for resale, and all retail stores that sell food—excluding restaurants—must maintain records that trace foods back to their immediate suppliers. Review the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Toolkit for businesses! Have questions? Call 1-888-576-4444—we can help!
Community Futures Peterborough Adds Spark to Stimulate Local Business Growth
Representatives from FedDev Ontario’s Peterborough office recently attended the launch of ignite100—an innovation challenge for area entrepreneurs that will provide up to a million dollars in funding through various partners. Community Futures Peterborough is calling on established companies to come forward and compete for an interest-free loan to grow or expand their business. Companies can be from any sector, and those that are willing to relocate to the area are also eligible to participate. Applications will be accepted until March 15, and the winner will be announced at the Community Futures Peterborough Annual General Meeting this summer.
Project News & Updates
Acquisitions Signal Success for Two FedDev Ontario-Funded Companies
Acquisitions Signal Success for Two FedDev Ontario-Funded Companies
Two FedDev Ontario-funding recipients, Quandl and Transformix Engineering, recently announced they had been made offers they couldn’t refuse. Quandl, whose platform serves investment professionals such as analysts and asset managers, used the government support to expand its supply of online financial, economic and alternative datasets. This drew the attention of Nasdaq, which bought Quandl to better serve its clients who are increasingly demanding this type of information. In a separate deal, ATS Automation Tooling Systems paid Transformix—a Kingston-based automated processing and assembly technology developer—$10 million for its patented performance-enhancing Rapid Speed Matching® (RSM) technology.
Waterloo-Based Auvik Networks Flourishes on Entrepreneurial Spirit
Auvik Networks is one of four companies that entrepreneur Marc Morin has launched over the years.
Waterloo-Based Auvik Networks Flourishes on Entrepreneurial Spirit
Looking back, 2018 was a particularly good year for CEO Marc Morin and his growing start-up, Auvik Networks. The company, which received funding from FedDev Ontario, grew by more than 200 percent—the result of an acquisition, two international distribution deals and a sizable Series C financing round. Auvik offers network management software by subscription to help small- and mid-sized companies manage their client networks more efficiently. Morin, whose company has also won multiple awards this year—including being named one of Canada’s Companies-to-Watch by Deloitte—is a successful serial entrepreneur. Auvik is one of four start-ups that have drawn on his background in engineering and benefited from the lessons he has learned along the way.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Prescribes New Technology to Support Success
Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Prescribes New Technology to Support Success
Contract Pharmaceuticals Limited Canada (CPL) used FedDev Ontario funding to introduce new production technologies to its manufacturing and packaging facilities in Mississauga. The company tests, develops, manufactures and packages liquid and semi-solid medications for drug companies. The advanced automation equipment implemented has helped CPL increase production capacity and capability, making it more competitive and responsive in a growing market. In addition, the company was able to leverage additional investment and has added more permanent full-time positions to its workforce than originally forecasted.
Cross-Border Partnership Program is a Unique Economic Development Model
Cross-Border Partnership Program is a Unique Economic Development Model
The Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne and its neighbouring municipalities have signed the first-in-Canada cross-border memorandum of understanding. The Tri-Chamber Alliance agreement includes the Cornwall & Area, Akwesasne and Greater Massena (New York) Chambers of Commerce. As part of its Cross-Border Partnership Program (CBPP), which was designed to strengthen the area’s economic prosperity, the FedDev Ontario-supported Cornwall & the Counties Community Futures Development Corporation also helped build the relationships that led to the ground-breaking agreement. To date, a variety of successful, supporting activities have been organized, and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has granted permission for a regional identity strategy.
LinkedIn Highlights
A 40 percent price drop will help eSight help more people see. Falling manufacturing costs is allowing the electronic eyewear developer to pass on the savings to consumers, a move it hopes will help make the device more accessible. The company, which launched in 2017, was supported through FedDev Ontario funding.
Congratulations Cyclica Inc. and Atomwise named by Forbes Magazine as two of the world's leading AI Drug Discovery companies! Both companies received early-stage funding through FedDev Ontario’s support of SOSCIP, which is a collaborative research and development consortium that provides SMEs with access to advanced computing and big data analytics technology.
Congratulations to Argentum Electronics for winning the N100 Evolution Technology start-up competition! FedDev Ontario funding recipient Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation launched the competition in July, offering $250,000 and space at Venture13 to the winning pitch.
The Arlanxeo Bio-Industrial Park in Sarnia could be welcoming a new tenant in the near future. Texas-based Benefuel, an alternative energy company, has secured a site for a new biodiesel refinery it is considering building. Last year, Benefuel worked with FedDev Ontario-funded Bioindustrial Innovation Canada to complete an engineering study for the project.
Upcoming Events
February 27
LSO’s Annual Celebration of Success (Toronto)
March 6
April 4
Communitech CEO Dinner (Kitchener)
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