March 28, 2008 - Calgary, Alberta
Technology start-up companies in the Calgary area will benefit from federal investments that support a new co ommercialization-marketing program and the expansion of a business incubator used by local firms.
Rob Anders, Member of Parliament for Calgary West, announced the federal funding of $390,500 today on behalf the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.
"The Government of Canada is making strategic investments that support the drive and ingenuity of entrepreneurs," said MP Rob Anders. "This investment will help small businesses commercialize their ideas and accelerate the growth of advanced technologies companies in Western Canada."
An investment of $169,500 will enable Calgary Technology Incorporated's (CTI) "Go-To-Market Applied Program" (GTM) to assist technology companies with the development of successful marketing and implementation plans to launch products or enter new markets. This hands-on, applied program will provide learning workshops and help small bus inesses access industry experts and personalized coaching. The program will be offered once a year, for three years, to eight qualified company participants that have developed products ready to be marketed.
The second Western Economic Diversificat ion Canada investment of $221,000 will go toward the expansion of the Alastair Ross Technology Centre (ARTC), which is owned by CTI. The funding will be directed toward preparing the conceptual and detailed building designs and associated cost analyses. The designs will lead to the development of a 100,000 square foot extension of the Centre's existing 120,000 square foot facility. The ARTC serves as a business incubator to upwards of 50 resident technology companies and is headquarters to Calgary Techn ologies Inc.
"This investment by the federal government will go a long way to assisting CTI in delivering the kind of quality programs that entrepreneurs of early-stage companies need in order to become prosperous in a competitive Alberta econom y," says CTI President and CEO John Masters. "We are pleased that Western Economic Diversification Canada understands the importance of supporting the advanced technology sector and its role in diversifying Alberta's economy."
CTI, a not-for-profit organization, is in the business of economic development, focused exclusively on the advanced technology sector in the Calgary area. CTI provides an array of unique technology incubation and commercialization programs and service. CTI's mission is to acc elerate the success of the advanced technology community by helping companies to build, grow and connect.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with western provinces, industry associations and communities to encourage diversification of the western economy, as well as to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Manager , Communication, Consultation and Marketing
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 991-7432
John Masters
President and CEO
Calgary Technologies Inc.
Office: (403) 284-6424
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)
- WD works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to stimulate and diversify Western Canada's economy, as well as to represent the intere sts of the West in national economic policy.
- WD is announcing a total investment of $390,500 towards two CTI projects. A $169,500 investment will be made in the "Go To Market Applied Program" and a $221,000 will be made in the ARTC Phase II I conceptual/schematic building design and cost analyses project.
- WD's investments, made through its Western Diversification Program (WDP), support the Government of Canada's commitments to invest in research, development and technology com mercialization; support small- and medium-sized enterprises; and promote a diversified and expanded business sector.
- The underlying objective of the WDP is to create a stronger West and a stronger Canada. Several guiding principles are use d to help assess how initiatives contribute to this objective, including:
- Other elements that are considered when determining the relative merit of proposals include: the measurable impact on the western Canadian economy, viability, long-term benefits, and the participation of other stakeholders.
Calg ary Technologies Inc.
- Calgary Technologies Inc. helps companies accelerate their success by:
