FEDDEV ONTARIO’S FOCUS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
JANUARY 2019
In this issue 
JANUARY 2019
ISSUES ARCHIVE
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Making Headlines
- Federal and Provincial Governments Provide Support in the Soo
- FedDev Ontario Supports a Sound Future by Funding Clean Tech Manufacturer, Pliteq
- McMaster University’s Makerspace Forges Ahead with FedDev Ontario Funding
- FedDev Ontario Provides New Funding for Eastern Ontario Start-ups
- Dialogue Days Provide an Opportunity to Connect with Canada’s OLMCs
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Project News & Updates
Making Headlines
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, meets with Algoma workers prior to delivering good news for the steel industry.
Federal and Provincial Governments Provide Support in the Soo
Ontario’s steel industry is stronger following a $90-million injection into Algoma Steel Inc. With support from FedDev Ontario, Innovation, Science and Economic Development’s Strategic Innovation Fund and the Government of Ontario, the Sault Ste. Marie steel producer will add 50 new jobs while supporting the nearly 3,000 existing jobs at its steelworks facility. Algoma is a world-class operation, integrating modern, innovative and efficient technologies to produce a range of hot and cold rolled steel sheet and plate products. It is also Canada’s second-largest integrated steel producer. The government’s commitment is expected to support dedicated steel and aluminum workers, their families and their communities for years to come.
Donna Jamieson Baker, Director, Business Development, and Paul Downey, CEO, Pliteq Inc., welcomed MP Francesco Sorbara (far left) to the opening of the company’s new facility.
FedDev Ontario Supports a Sound Future by Funding Clean Tech Manufacturer, Pliteq
The opening of Pliteq Inc.’s new 150,000-square-foot facility in Vaughan was recently celebrated. Pliteq manufactures cost-effective acoustical products made with recycled rubber from used vehicle tires and needed increased floor space to manufacture its products in-house. FedDev Ontario’s contribution of $3.8 million towards the project helped the company purchase advanced production equipment and adopt new manufacturing processes to boost productivity. The expansion has led to the creation of 62 skilled jobs, is supporting local supply chains and is helping grow the clean tech manufacturing sector. Pliteq has diverted three million tires from landfills and expects to double that amount annually by 2021.
The Honourable Filomena Tassi (centre) with McMaster representatives after announcing the funding.
McMaster University’s Makerspace Forges Ahead with FedDev Ontario Funding
McMaster University is fostering creativity and innovation and is welcoming more entrepreneurs with the planned expansion of The Forge makerspace. A $1.2-million contribution from FedDev Ontario will support the start-up incubator’s move to a new 10,000-square-foot area that will be shared with Innovation Factory. With the addition of 3D printers and other fabricating equipment, as well as increased mentoring, The Forge will almost double the number of companies accessing its services each year. The Forge is an important part of Hamilton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, contributing to the commercialization of innovative products and services, as well as creating new jobs.
MP Kim Rudd (centre-right) announced additional funding for the Northumberland CFDC, which will support 25 new start-ups.
FedDev Ontario Provides New Funding for Eastern Ontario Start-ups
Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) is expanding its N1M program with $1.1 million in additional support from FedDev Ontario. The program, which runs out of Northumberland CFDC headquarters at Venture13, provides high-potential entrepreneurs with seed funding, training and mentoring to help launch their businesses. Since 2015, N1M has supported over 30 technology start-ups, resulting in over 70 jobs created. The additional funding is expected to help launch 25 new companies. Northumberland CFDC also plans to expand the program across southern Ontario through partnerships with the Impact Centre, the Brilliant Entrepreneurship program and GreenCentre Canada.
Dialogue Days Provide an Opportunity to Connect with Canada’s OLMCs
Members from Canada’s vast network of economic development and not-for-profit organizations met in Ottawa recently to share and gather input from Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs). Representatives from FedDev Ontario were part of the conversation, along with Innovation Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Lisa Setlakwe, who provided opening remarks that focused on the Innovation and Skills Plan and the importance of collaboration. Workshops were scheduled so stakeholders could explore new partnerships to identify priorities, review available programs and uncover what OLMCs need to achieve economic growth. Dialogue Day is a bi-annual event that is organized by ISED.
Project News & Updates
AC JumpStart Ready to Select Participants for Cohort #9
The Accelerator Centre provides start-ups with the right guidance to turn their ideas into successes.
AC JumpStart Ready to Select Participants for Cohort #9
Waterloo’s Accelerator Centre (AC) can now accept more participants into its 12-month start-up program. Recently, FedDev Ontario provided additional funding so that the innovative incubator can continue to play a critical role in the local start-up ecosystem. AC JumpStart launched in 2015 and has supported 194 start-up businesses, creating more than 500 jobs. The new funding will allow another 126 companies to receive seed funding and professional one-to-one mentoring. The University of Guelph has also joined the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College as a program partner. The ninth cohort starts February 1, 2019.
Unilever Gains Valuable Business Insights Thanks to Collaborative Project with FedDev Ontario-Supported SOSCIP
Unilever Gains Valuable Business Insights Thanks to Collaborative Project with FedDev Ontario-Supported SOSCIP
Over the past few years, Unilever Canada has embarked on a digital transformation journey, using artificial intelligence (AI) in business decision making to provide better analytical insights. Thanks to FedDev Ontario's support of SOSCIP (formerly the Southern Ontario Smart Computing Innovation Platform), Unilever has expanded these activities through research partnerships with two member universities, geared at using AI to produce better insights into trade investment, business forecasting and automated learning. Building on these projects, Unilever North America is establishing an AI/Business Intelligence hub at its Ontario office. This mandate will continue to grow in the coming years, underlining a common goal of SOSCIP and Unilever to foster and expand the collaborative partnership model that has shown such success.
FedDev Ontario Third-Party Funding Supports Savoury Venture
Old Man & Son is one of three restaurants run by the worker-owned operation.
FedDev Ontario Third-Party Funding Supports Savoury Venture
There’s a distinct revival going on in Stratford’s culinary scene, and Old Man & Son is the latest addition to Ramshackle Industries’ chain of worker-owned restaurants. The collaborative model was developed when Red Rabbit opened in 2015, with 11 owners and additional funding provided through subscriptions that can be used towards food purchases. The management model allows staff to work between venues, which helps all three in the chain thrive in a highly competitive environment. The chain currently employs 18 full-time and 16 part-time staff. Perth Community Futures Development Corporation, which receives funding from FedDev Ontario, has played a role in the launch of all three locations.
South Simcoe Rivals Hollywood North with FedDev Ontario Support
South Simcoe Rivals Hollywood North with FedDev Ontario Support
The spotlight is on the Film Liaison at Nottawasaga Futures as it sets the stage for the area’s growing entertainment and creative cluster. Since 2000, the Film Liaison has been the conduit between host communities and production companies, acting as location scout and agent for local services and goods, leading to valuable economic spin-offs. South Simcoe has hosted a number of productions including the television series Murdoch Mysteries and Kardia, a film entered at the Cannes Film Festival. FedDev Ontario support through the Community Futures Program is helping organizations like Nottawasaga Futures develop and implement strategies that drive local economies.
LinkedIn Highlights
FedDev Ontario-supported research and innovation hub IDEAWORKS produces impactful academia-industry relationships. The hub, located in Hamilton’s Mohawk College, helps connect students with local business owners through their participation in the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation. Students bring current applied research knowhow to help companies solve problems and increase their competitiveness.
Dejero wins an Emmy! The Waterloo-based connectivity solutions provider will be heading to Las Vegas in the spring to accept its award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Science. Congratulations and proud to have helped you along the way!
Clear Blue Technologies is back in the spotlight, having been chosen as the power service provider for Kenyan technology company, BRCK Inc. Clear Blue’s Smart Off-Grid technology will be implemented to power up thousands of WiFi spots across Africa, providing a reliable, clean and low-cost service agreement. FedDev Ontario is a proud supporter of Clear Blue!
Mississauga-based SceneDoc was acquired by Tyler Technologies, a Texas-based provider of information management services for local governments. SceneDoc was launched in 2011 and introduced a mobile-first, secure data-collection platform for law enforcement agencies that lets officers collect and work with evidence using smartphones. SceneDoc management and staff will become part of Tyler’s Public Safety Division, and its 18 employees are expected to remain in their current locations. FedDev Ontario congratulates SceneDoc on its success!
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