Smarter Spaces maps global growth for its handheld 3D laser scanning services

News release

Halifax start-up will increase competitiveness, grow exports

July 18, 2019 – Halifax, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Supporting creative and entrepreneurial people, state-of-the-art technology and competitive companies is enabling Atlantic Canada to build a strong culture of innovation. That’s why the Government of Canada is helping Smarter Spaces, a world-leading service provider of 3D scanning technology, keep communities safe, hire new staff and expand its sales and marketing activities so it can increase global exports.

The Halifax start-up company is upgrading its computer systems to handle large volumes of data, enabling its clients to work more effectively, mitigate risks and save time. Smarter Spaces works with developers, owners, architects, contractors and consultants to provide 2D and 3D models documenting clients’ spaces and environment. This helps its clients make informed and cost-effective decisions regarding internal and external space planning and prepare for emergencies.

Today, Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced support for the Smarter Spaces project.

Economic growth and the creation of good jobs for Atlantic Canadians require innovation and diversification. Support for this project is one way the Government of Canada is working to support businesses to scale-up, increase productivity and participate in the innovation economy. Projects like this also contribute to the Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.

Quotes

“Through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, we are building on Atlantic Canada’s competitive advantages, such as its strong export potential, its growing innovation ecosystem and its skilled workforce. The Government of Canada is proud to foster greater business innovation by encouraging the scaling up of small firms like Smarter Spaces.”

     - The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for ACOA  

“Smarter Spaces is helping to make communities safer. Already a leader in fire safety, Smarter Spaces is moving into emergency preparedness creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and plans for natural disasters. The Government of Canada is helping globally competitive firms like Smarter Spaces expand their markets and create more high value jobs. This, in turn, helps grow the middle class and the economy overall, contributing to greater regional prosperity.”

     - Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax 

Smarter Spaces is excited to keep growing and expanding outside of Atlantic Canada and into international markets. By scaling our operations into new cities, there are great opportunities for growth in both digital 2D and 3D models and emergency preparedness in Atlantic Canada and beyond. For every new role we create in another city, two or three jobs are created here in Nova Scotia.”

     - Colin Gillis, Chief Executive Officer, Smarter Spaces

Quick facts

  • Smarter Spaces is a world leader in mobile 3D laser scanning, space planning and CAD (computer aided design), evacuation mapping and fire safety plans.

  • Cape Breton-raised entrepreneurs Colin Gillis and Dan MacIntosh started the company in Halifax in 2016. By August 1, 2019, it will have eight employees and plans to add one more.

  • The company won the BOMA Pinnacle Award for Innovation in 2017 and the 2017 NOW Award of Courage for bringing mobile 3D scanning to Atlantic Canada.

  • Clients include: Public Works and Government Services Canada, Nova Scotia Health Authority, the City of Halifax, Jazz Aviation, Innovacorp, Armco Capital, Crombie REIT, Nova Scotia Liquor Commission, Port of Halifax, Irving Shipbuilding, Emera and Nova Scotia Power, Canadian Red Cross, Acadia, Mount Saint Vincent University, Dalhousie, Saint Mary’s University, among others.

  • Increasing the value of both international and interprovincial exports is one of the priorities of the One Nova Scotia initiative.

  • The Government of Canada invested $321,250 million in this project through ACOA’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.

  • The Business Scale-up and Productivity stream of the REGI program supports businesses at various stages of development, including high-growth firms, to accelerate their growth, help them in scale up and enhance their productivity and competitiveness in both domestic and global markets.

Associated links

Contacts

Lori Selig
A/Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-266-7477
lori.selig@canada.ca

Colin Gillis
Chief Executive Officer
Smarter Spaces
902-229-2926
cgillis@smarterspaces.ca

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