Technology start-up companies in the Calgary area will benefit from federal investments that support a new commercialization-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 businesses 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 Diversification 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 Technologies 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 economy," 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 accelerate 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 commun ities to stimulate and diversify Western Canada's economy, as well as to represent the interests 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 III 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 commercialization; 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 used to help assess how initiatives contribute to this objective, including:
- increased economic activity that improves the viab ility, prosperity, and standard of living for individuals and communities across Western Canada.
- increased economic research in the areas of community economic development, leading-edge technologies and entrepreneurship to provide a sound base fo r economic development in areas of importance to Western Canada.
- 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.
Calgary Technologies Inc.
- Calgary Technologies Inc. helps companies accelerate their success by:
- Offering progra ms and services to help entrepreneurs build their companies
- Linking entrepreneurs to sources of financing and business experts who can help address the challenges of growth;
- Connecting companies to the right people with the right resou rces at the right time to enhance business-to-business collaboration and promote innovation.
