Burlington, Ontario | September 20, 2023 |

Last Tuesday, TechPlace and Haltech Regional Innovation Centre proudly co-hosted a successful Annual Open House, marked by the unveiling of Burlington Economic Development’s and Haltech’s 2022 Annual Reports.

The event welcomed 150 people to celebrate technology and innovation in our community. TechPlace is an initiative of Burlington Economic Development and was opened in 2017 to support the start-up and growth of technology companies in Burlington.

The annual event has become a staple for the local technology community, bringing together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to celebrate the region’s growing tech ecosystem and share insights into its progress.

Unveiling of 2022 Annual Reports: Burlington Economic Development’s and Haltech’s 2022 Annual Reports were the focal points of the evening, providing an in-depth look at the organizations’ milestones and roles in fostering innovation within the region.

Company showcase: Attendees had the opportunity to explore exhibits showcasing some of the companies who work at TechPlace and who benefit from Haltech’s programming and support.

Networking Opportunities: The event provided a dynamic platform for networking, fostering connections between startups, established companies, and potential investors. It encouraged the exchange of ideas and the formation of valuable partnerships within the technology ecosystem.

Year-in-Review Presentations: Burlington Economic Development, Haltech, and TechPlace co-location partner Angel One Investor Network all provided year-in-review presentations showcasing their 2022 achievements. Burlington EcDev spoke to the economic landscape in Burlington and the work they are doing to support the attraction, start-up and growth of new business in Burlington. Haltech spoke to their performance around supporting start-ups and the success of their many programs, including a special partnership with Profound impact, enabling clients with targeted access to over $300 billion in funding opportunities. Angel One spoke to the benefits of being located at TechPlace and the investments their members are making in high-potential start-ups.

To access the 2022 Burlington Economic Development Annual Report, click here.

To access the 2022 Haltech Annual Report, click here.

To access the photo booth pictures, click here.

Manager, Marketing and Attraction   

An initiative led by Burlington Economic Development, TechPlace is Burlington’s one stop destination for new and growing technology companies. The 8,600 square foot space is home to Haltech, Halton’s Regional Innovation Centre and Angel One Investor Network, a member-based angel group that has invested more than $25 million in early-stage companies. TechPlace provides space and place, resources, and programming to local and international startups through its LaunchPad and Soft-Landing programs, partnerships, hot desking areas, meeting rooms and event spaces. 

Burlington Economic Development (Burlington EcDev) is an agency of the City of Burlington that works to attract high-value companies to Burlington, support the expansion of existing businesses, and encourage the start-up and growth of new companies. The team works across all industries and sectors to deliver personalized support to businesses and collaborates with partners across the private and public sectors to maintain Burlington’s robust and diverse economy.

Haltech is a non-profit corporation supported by Ontario’s Ministry of Research, Innovation & Science, Ministry of Economic Development & Growth, and their valued Corporate Sponsors.

Haltech empowers all innovative companies to realize their full potential through education, advisory services, and strategic connections. Haltech launched in 2011 and is the go-to strategic connector and educator for startups in Halton and beyond. To date, Haltech has helped boost more than 1,000 startups and scale ups.

TechPlace and Haltech Showcase Innovation and Success at Annual Open House, Unveils 2022 Annual Reports

Burlington, September 6, 2023 | Burlington Economic Development (Burlington EcDev) is pleased to announce significant additions to its Board of Directors. The organization welcomes Ron Laidman as the new Board Chair and Daniel Kube as Vice Chair, along with four new board members: Kuljit Bhogal, Leslie Cooke-Bithrey, Vanessa Dupuis, and City of Burlington Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman.   

Burlington EcDev bids farewell to departing board members Dr. David Conrath, Gordon Kack, and outgoing Chair Randall Smallbone, expressing gratitude for their invaluable contributions to the organization.  

Ron Laidman's appointment as Board Chair brings a wealth of strategic leadership expertise to Burlington EcDev. He is well-prepared to guide the organization in achieving its mission of fostering economic growth and innovation within the Burlington community.   

In the role of Vice Chair, Daniel Kube introduces a fresh perspective, aligned with Burlington EcDev's commitment to fostering innovation. His entrepreneurial background makes him a valuable addition to the board.   

Joining the board are four new members, each bringing unique skills and perspectives. Kuljit Bhogal, Leslie Cooke-Bithrey, and Vanessa Dupuis are poised to contribute their diverse expertise to Burlington EcDev's mission. Their insights will bolster the organization's efforts in positioning Burlington to attract new jobs and talent.   

City of Burlington Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman returns to the board, bringing a deep understanding of municipal governance and a dedication to fostering economic development within the city.  

Anita Cassidy, Executive Director of Burlington Economic Development, expressed her enthusiasm about the new members, stating, “We are excited to welcome Ron Laidman and Daniel Kube to their new roles, as well as our new board members Kuljit Bhogal, Leslie Cooke-Bithrey, Vanessa Dupuis, and Ward 5 City Councillor Paul Sharman. Their collective experience and passion for Burlington’s growth will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to support businesses and drive economic vitality in the city.” 

A complete list of Burlington Economic Development’s Board of Directors can be found here.  

About Burlington Economic Development:   

Burlington Economic Development (Burlington EcDev) is an agency of the City of Burlington that works to attract high-value companies to Burlington, support the expansion of existing businesses, and encourage the start-up and growth of new companies. The team works across all industries and sectors to deliver personalized support to businesses and collaborates with partners across the private and public sectors to maintain Burlington’s robust and diverse economy. 

Burlington Economic Development Welcomes New Board Members

In today's fast-paced job landscape, equipping students with practical skills and real-world experiences is essential to preparing them for success. High school co-op programs, which are a component of the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM), are a valuable pathway for students to gain hands-on experience but they also benefit businesses that choose to engage with these programs. 

TechPlace is a committed advocate of co-op programs for several years. Through our collaboration with local high schools with SHSM programs, and Halton Industry Education Council (HIEC), we have provided exceptional students with the chance to work on various projects.  This opportunity allows them to acquire practical experience as they work and interact with technology entrepreneurs and business leaders. 

These students, often surprised by the value of networking, have not only learned essential business skills but also expanded their horizons regarding potential career paths and entrepreneurial pursuits. 

One of the unexpected benefits that students often find through co-op programs is the opportunity to learn about importance of building professional networks. With TechPlace serving as a hub for various entrepreneurs in diverse tech sectors, students gain more than connections, they also gain insights into previously unconsidered career paths.  

Through hands-on experiences, attending various events or even simple conversations, co-op students at TechPlace can determine if a particular field aligns with their interests and strengths. This often plays a vital role in helping students make informed decisions about their future career paths. As a recent case in point, we had the privilege of working with Cobyn, a co-op student from Assumption Catholic Secondary School, who shared his TechPlace experience:  

“I am interested in cyber security. At TechPlace I was able to make a bunch of connections in a multitude of different industries, including cyber security. After being invited to a couple events and being introduced to some interesting people, I realized that the most important thing for me was to make connections. This not only helped me learn new things, it made me aware of industries that I didn’t even know existed, as well as helping to improve my communications skills. “ 

Employers play a pivotal role in co-op experiences, fostering skill development and facilitating a diverse spectrum of experiential learning. This gratifying commitment provides employers with the chance to mentor and nurture potential future talents. 

Local organizations such as HIEC bridge the gap between businesses and high schools with co-op programs. HIEC's comprehensive services center on workforce development. 

We highly recommend exploring connections with HIEC or your local high school to uncover the potential of co-op programs, especially SHSM initiatives. Engaging with co-op programs is not just a contribution to the future workforce; it's an investment in the enrichment of your workplace through fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. 

If your workplace would like to offer co-op or apprenticeship placements, we encourage you to reach out to HIEC at info@hiec.on.ca or connect with us at info@techplace.ca.  

Clockwise, Top Left. Picture 1- June 2022-our Co-Op Student-Teighan Last Day.  Picture 2- August 2023-HIEC info session at TechPlace, Picture 3 - June 2023-our Co-Op Student, Cobyn and our Canada Summer Job Intern , Andrew.


The Power of High School Co-op Programs: A Win-Win for Students and Businesses

TechPlace is thrilled to announce the launch of the brand new TechPlace.ca! The new website offers an enhanced user experience and exciting features that make it easier than ever to view membership options, book space, and explore upcoming events and programming. The launch of the new website also marks the rollout of our updated membership model and a new booking platform. Check out the press release below for more information. 

Burlington Economic Development launches new TechPlace website featuring updated membership model and easy-to-use booking platform  

The all-new TechPlace.ca offers an improved user experience and aims to make it easier than ever to view membership options, book space, and explore upcoming events and programming.   

Burlington, Ontario. Wednesday July 26, 2023. Burlington Economic Development is pleased to announce the launch of the newly redesigned TechPlace.ca. The launch of the new website also marks the rollout of an updated membership model and booking platform for the innovation centre, which opened its doors in 2017.   

The redesigned website allows users to easily explore TechPlace membership options, which range from a basic membership to a private office for companies in the LaunchPad program. Applications for all membership types can now be submitted directly on the website. With the integration of the Archie booking app, members can book meetings, connect with other members, and view and pay invoices on a single platform.  

“A lot of thought has gone into designing this website and we are very excited to finally share it with the community,” said Izabela Goclik, Manager of TechPlace and Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Burlington Economic Development. “We’ve created the new website with our members in mind, making it easier and more efficient to connect with us. We’ve also focused on showcasing what we do here at TechPlace, why it’s important, and how it contributes to the regional economy.”   

The new website highlights the Soft Landing program, which provides international companies with physical space and wrap around services to support their expansion or relocation in Southern Ontario. The soft landing program has been identified as a core opportunity to attract new investment and top talent because of Burlington’s strategic location along Lake Ontario, close proximity to Toronto and the US border, and the attractive lifestyle the city offers.  

“We launched TechPlace as a strategic initiative to support the growth of innovation and entrepreneurship in Burlington,” said Anita Cassidy, Executive Director at Burlington Economic Development. “Startups are a key driver of job creation, creating between 40-70% of new jobs in North America. TechPlace exists to help these startups scale, which means grow, hire, export and ultimately contribute a great deal to the local economy.” Cassidy continued, “Our LaunchPad and Soft Landing programs give Burlington a competitive edge in attracting top talent and high-potential startups that are looking for a place to grow their business from. The new website will help us grow the TechPlace brand, attract more companies, and position Burlington as an ideal place to grow a business from.”   

For membership and partnership inquiries, visit TechPlace.ca. More information about Burlington Economic Development can be found at investburlington.ca.  

An initiative led by Burlington Economic Development, TechPlace is Burlington’s one stop destination for new and growing technology companies. The 8,600 square foot space is home to Haltech, Halton’s Regional Innovation Centre and Angel One Investor Network, a member-based angel group that has invested more than $25 million in early-stage companies. TechPlace provides space and place, resources, and programming to local and international startups through its LaunchPad and Soft Landing programs, partnerships, hot desking areas, meeting rooms and event spaces.  

ABOUT BURLINGTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:  

Burlington Economic Development (Burlington EcDev) is an agency of the City of Burlington that works to attract high-value companies to Burlington, support the expansion of existing businesses, and encourage the start-up and growth of new companies. The team works across all industries and sectors to deliver personalized support to businesses and collaborates with partners across the private and public sectors to maintain Burlington's robust and diverse economy.   

New TechPlace website featuring updated membership model and easy-to-use booking platform

TechPlace is Proud to Announce Partnership with University of Lisbon's Tec Labs

BURLINGTON, ON, May 10, 2023 – TechPlace is excited to announce our new partnership with Tec Labs, the science and deep tech incubator of The University of Lisbon.

Tec Labs is dedicated to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the tech ecosystem in Lisbon, Portugal. The centre focuses on emerging tech, food, farm, forest & sea, health & wellness, urban mobility and sustainability and currently is home to over 25 startups.

This partnership will allow TechPlace to better aid our start-ups to excel in Portugal and the global arena. Through this collaboration, our startups will gain access to Tec Labs' co-working space and become members of the incubator for a specific period of time. This partnership will undoubtedly provide our startups with the resources, support, and expertise they need to thrive in the ever-changing world of tech.

What is Belleville Analytics Inc. (Belleville)? Describe your company.

Belleville is an app, a web based application that is designed to help manage group benefits plans.  There is a whole space that does the benefits plan management aspect of the industry around it and it is called Global Brokerage Industry. A lot of their processes are not web based and it is a lot of manual work. I am essentially bringing services that you would receive from those companies or that you would require from a good broker, but I am bringing it to the plan sponsor or to the individuals with the group insurance, so that they can see what any broker advisor would see internally.

On top of that, we are doing project work throughout the industry as well.  I am doing work in the pharmacy benefits analytics, underwriting processes at insurance careers. We are taking on some technology projects, as well, that are related to group insurance.

David McDonald, Founder of Belleville Analytics Inc.

I had a pretty normal path for an actuary, which is a profession that specializes in insurance and pricing insurance and calculating risk.  I was in the group benefits consulting space right out of school, at a major global firm, so I was organically in the industry since the day I left university.

Since then, I have been at two global brokerages. I have seen all the sides of the industry. Small brokerages, small groups, and consulting that is geared towards big companies. After seeing all sides of it, I realized that all these massive firms are not always scaled or built to implement and write innovative software efficiently.

There are a lot of teams, there is a lot of politics, there is a lot of red tape, and I think that they would be the first to admit that that they are not always the best at developing. They are mostly just servicing their clients. I saw a niche to fill out my vision for what the future of the group benefits brokerage industry is, which is moving the model more to a software as a service platform and less of creating PowerPoints for your client.

What does ‘Belleville’ in your company name mean?

There are a lot of broker advisors out there, smaller firms, and you see a lot of company names. I did not want it to be my name, I did not want to be anything health-related, I already see a lot of names like that. I just wanted something different.  So I went with Bellville.

I always liked the name. It translates to ‘a beautiful town’ in French. I have family around Belleville, Ontario, so I was always in and around there growing up. I like that part of Ontario, I had good memories associated with it.

Who makes Belleville? Describe your team.

The team consists of myself, the founder, and Alan Chung. Alan is a computer science co-op student from the University of Waterloo.

What kind of person will succeed in your company?

Someone that is creative and learns things quickly!  I think these are two good qualities.  It is a startup so everything is new. If you can think of new adventures, new ways to do things, new things to try, I am always open towards that and like that type of energy. I would want someone who would embrace and succeed in that type of freedom that I would give them.

And other than that, just learning things quickly, developing a good understanding of the group benefits space is definitely a big deal, because there are not many people that, I would say, have my knowledge or insight of the industry, combined with technical abilities. That is really the key thing, to find people with the technical abilities and bring them up to speed about this industry.

And I think one big thing I want is someone who is motivated and dedicated to help grow this company and someone who is really invested in the future of the company.

What inspires you? What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Just so that I am not finished! There is a lot to do! I do not feel like I have put my best foot forward with this whole turning benefit consulting into SAAS product yet. I’ve been working pretty well and I’ve been getting there but I cannot go to bed at night knowing that I did do everything I could do, so that is what just keeps me going.

I think that the business model makes sense, and I am gaining support from individuals in the industry who seem to like the idea as well, but I just do not think that I have done all that I could do yet, so I want to keep moving it until it is BIG.

Doing more projects in the world of data science. It seems that there is a lot of data and a lot of creative things you can do with it.

Sometimes, when I still have the energy to do work that is not associated with my company, I do like to take on some data science projects. One thing I did that I thought was kind of unique… there is a guy on YouTube that reviews sodas, and there’s a whole micro industry of craft sodas out there. I guess they are not too hard to make. So he reviews them. He’s done probably 400-500 reviews.  I have a whole dashboard with a map of where all these craft soda reviews are and what rating he gave them, what type of sodas they have, everything.

I just did this from scraping his YouTube audio and translating texts and audio to recognize the types of soda and what his rating out of 10 is. I think it is a pretty cool database. I probably have one of the better craft soda databases out there probably. It was not too hard either, it is going through all these YouTube videos in a pre-automated fashion.

Other than that, we are towards the end of summer and I like to golf such as with the incorporation of products like the ones on The Indoor Golf Shop.  It is a good way to go out and see friends, especially during COVID times.  I definitely want to be golfing more.  I watch it on tv and watch YouTube videos on how to get better. It occupies a good portion of my brain I would say!

What are some current projects you are working on?

A few that are geared towards Belleville Analytics.

One is working with a major insurance company in Canada. They are top 5 in health and dental premiums. I am helping streamline their underwriting processes. Underwriting is looking at a company’s health benefit claims and assessing whether rates need to go up, whether you need to charge more, charge less, and how much more.  It’s a long-term project, it is big for me and it is quite interesting.

I always worked on the consulting or brokerage side; I actually never saw how some of these carriers work. Working with insurance carriers now is giving me deeper perspective on the industry. There is a lot of people who have been consulting for 30 years and selling insurance, but have never actually worked for the insurance company so I do think I actually know quite a bit more now.

Another project I have been working on is with a pharmaceutical consulting firm. They consult to big pharma or pharmaceutical manufacturers.  With my background in a group benefits industry, I’m able to do data analysis exercises for them that analyze different plan provisions in the industry, how generous, and how restrictive drug plans are in the industry, so that they can provide insights to their clients whose livelihood is trying to figure out how much money they can get through the insurance companies and where to market their drugs, which insurance companies are going to carry it,  which will not, or which require prior authorization. I also get to do a lot of small ad hoc coding projects for them too, to help them out.

The other type of work that I have been doing  that is probably the most related to scaling a product is working with brokers. I have worked with a couple of smaller independent insurance brokers now and I’m just using my system, my web-based technology to help them with their group benefits renewals and brokerage needs. It seems to be working well, so that is a good sign, and I hope to continue to get out there.

How can we assist you? What is your current ‘ask’?

I am always looking to talk to parties that could be interested in my services, whether they are HR benefits decision makers, at major companies, or really, any company, or if they are independent insurance advisors, I want to talk to them. Just meeting more relevant parties, meeting people in the industry, or entrepreneurs that may have a sense of what I am doing and seeing where these connections can get to.

One word that describes TechPlace to you? Why?

Looking at the good view, I can see Lake Ontario, people moving on the QEW, if you look north, you’ll see escarpment, you can have a panoramic view of Burlington.

Further, TechPlace seems to be a good space for smaller companies to grow and develop. And my office can accommodate few more people,  and I am looking forward to that.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC14Wd5HMuaIJT1r47-P4igA

Get to Know LaunchPad Company Belleville Analytics Inc.

International startups and scaleups are vital to creating jobs and bringing new, innovative technologies to market that continue to strengthen Canada’s economic recovery. We were thrilled to host our Acceleration+ Welcome Week event at TechPlace on March 27, 2023, bringing together program partners and participants for an exciting kick-off to Cohort 2. The event provided an opportunity for the startups to meet one another and connect with mentors and advisors, setting the stage for a successful cohort.

We believe that this new cohort represents some of the brightest and most innovative startups from around the world. The participants come from a diverse range of industries, including digital media and ICT, fintech, life sciences and cleantech. They are all driven by a passion for innovation and a desire to make a difference in their respective industries.

Acceleration+ supports innovative international startups looking to expand faster into Canadian and U.S. markets by working closely with them to develop and execute a tailored expansion plan. Acceleration+ is a program funded by the Government of Canada, through the Deleral Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), in partnership with LatAm Startups, Haltech Regional Innovation Centre, TechPlace and Innovation Factory.

Related: Three Regional Economic Development Organizations Announce New Program to Support International Tech Startups and Scaleups in Southwestern Ontario

“Being part of Acceleration+ has helped us identify new key players and improve our Canadian market entry strategy. Having access to the Acceleration+ network will give us a boost to achieve our goal of growing in the local market.”

“The environment at TechPlace is very positive and people are very supportive. I am surrounded by people who really want me to succeed and I love working from here. As part of Acceleration+ I have access to three amazing mentors who are very helpful and knowledgeable. I am glad to be part of the community.”

“Our experience with the Accelerator+ Program has been amazing. As a new company and  a newcomer at the same time, the chance to expand your network and get feedback from highly experienced people in our industry is priceless. I totally recommend the program for new companies wanting to enter the Canadian market.”

TMR Vehicle Delivery Service Inc. (WeRelo)

We are committed to providing the highest level of support to Acceleration+ client, and we look forward to working closely with them over the coming months. We are confident that with our guidance, international startups in Cohort 2 will thrive and make a significant impact in southern Ontario and beyond.

We would like to thank our partners, LatAm Startups, [, for their continued support and collaboration. Together, we are helping to build a vibrant and dynamic startup ecosystem in southern Ontario.

To learn more about Acceleration+ and our cohort members, please visit our website. We look forward to sharing more updates on our progress in the near future.

The Acceleration+ program is available to startups currently enrolled in one of the following LatAm Startups programs: Phase III: Acceleration (Startup Visa), New Entrepreneur Accelerator (NEA), Corporate program. For additional details and eligibility criteria, visit https://www.accelerationplus.ca.

Haltech is a non-profit corporation supported by Ontario’s Ministry of Research, Innovation & Science, Ministry of Economic Development & Growth, and valued Corporate Sponsors. We empower innovative companies to realize their full potential through education, advisory services, and strategic connections. We support companies in creating jobs, generating sales, creating new markets and securing investment for their growth.

Innovation Factory is a business accelerator, dedicated to helping Ontario-based businesses launch, scale, and succeed. We provide start-ups, and scaling companies with advisory services, training, mentorship, and strategic connections to help bring disruptive technologies to market, leverage intellectual property, increase revenues, attract investment and create jobs. Innovators can also access sector-specific resources including exclusive smart transportation test environments and data; and a formal life science and health innovation ecosystem.

LatAm Startups is a non-profit accelerator in Toronto that works exclusively with international startups. A designated sponsor for Canada’s Startup Visa program, LatAm Startups is a pioneer in bringing the world’s top startups to Canada and helping them scale globally from Toronto.

For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

TechPlace, Haltech, Innovation Factory, welcome 16 international companies into Cohort 2 of Government of Canada-funded Acceleration+ Program

TechPlace is excited to announce its partnership with Mohawk College, a leading institution in innovative programs and experiential learning. On the last Tuesday of every month, TechPlace will be hosting representatives from Mohawk College to provide valuable resources to startups and established companies. 

In February, TechPlace welcomed representatives from IDEAWORKS and the Co-operative Education programs. IDEAWORKS is Mohawk’s hub of applied research and innovation, providing entrepreneurs with access to a range of resources, including research and development space, expertise, and funding through collaborative projects. With IDEAWORKS, technology entrepreneurs can benefit from the expertise of experienced professionals and test beds in fields such as additive manufacturing, augmented reality, big data, cybersecurity, biotechnology, and healthcare, to name a few. 

Mohawk College also offers a co-op program that enables students to gain real-world experience in their field of study and provides businesses with access to talented and motivated students. Co-op students often bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the table, making them a valuable asset to any organization. Mohawk College provides support to both startups and students during the co-op placement process, including pre-placement training, job postings, and assistance with recruiting and selection. 

On Tuesday, March 28th, TechPlace will be hosting Mohawk College Enterprise (MCE) and Business & The Centre for Entrepreneurship from 11am to 4pm. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to expand their professional development and training for themselves, their leaders, and teams. Whether you’re seeking talent and strategy around marketing, branding, or PR, Mohawk College’s resources can provide you with the support you need to succeed. 

No appointments are necessary, so visit TechPlace on March 28th to learn more about how Mohawk College can help your business thrive. 

February Recap of Mohawk College Day at TechPlace

Haltech, Innovation Factory, and Movement51 formed a partnership to support women founders and investors in the tech and innovation space. This partnership will leverage the strengths of each organization and bring together their expertise, resources, and shared mission to help women entrepreneurs scale successful ventures. To learn more about the partnership, you can click here (insert link).

Haltech new partnerships to support women founders and investors in technology and innovation

This media release first appeared on Burlington Economic Development.

Last night, TechPlace opened its doors for its first large public event since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The event celebrated the 5th anniversary of the space, which Burlington Economic Development launched in 2017 to support the start-up and growth of new businesses in Burlington.

With more than 100 in attendance, the event featured several companies that have directly benefitted from TechPlace. 3Terra, one of the first companies admitted to the LaunchPad program, increased their revenue by 60% while at TechPlace. “TechPlace gave us a great home in the early days of scaling our business,” said Richard Obuhowich, Founder and COO at 3Terra. “It gave us professional meeting space, great energy from fellow entrepreneurs, and many useful educational sessions to help build our business knowledge.”

Companies like Iris R&D also saw substantial revenue growth while part of the LaunchPad program. The company was also able to tap into more than $5 million in funding through support from Haltech Regional Innovation Centre, who is co-located at TechPlace.

Haltech Regional Innovation Centre and Angel One Investor Network have co-located at TechPlace since day 1. Over the last five years, their support of the local innovation and entrepreneurship community has grown significantly through additional mentorship and new programs. Haltech has delivered more than 1400 hours of mentorship in the space, as well as hosted more than 200 events. Angel One has completed more than 40 investments since 2017, and became a founding member of Equation Angels.

“TechPlace remains the cornerstone of our innovation and entrepreneurship strategy,” said Anita Cassidy, Executive Director, Burlington Economic Development. “With the support of partners across the private and public sectors, we are very proud of what we have accomplished over the last five years, especially given the COVID-19 pandemic. We are excited to see our community returning to the space, excited to return to in-person engagement. We are launching new programs that will put attracting international start-ups at the forefront. As we plan for the next five years and beyond, we will continue to focus on delivering the critical infrastructure the start-up community depends on to grow.”

Burlington Economic Development also marked the event with the release of their 2021 Annual Report, as well as first ever TechPlace Impact Report.

TechPlace is open Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm and more information can be found at techplace.ca. Information about the new Acceleration+ program, which was announced August 17, can be found at accelerationplus.ca.

Burlington Economic Development Celebrates 5 Years of Operations at TechPlace with Open House Event

Andrew Lee, President and Co-Founder of Innovia Geo.

What is your company (describe your value proposition)?

Innovia Geo – we are focused on decarbonizing heating and cooling in buildings and homes. We are doing that by developing innovative geothermal heating and cooling technologies to drive down the cost of clean and renewable geothermal heating and cooling systems.

If we look at energy usage in our buildings and homes, the vast majority of that energy (over 70% in North America) is used for heating and cooling. Looking at the market, there aren’t many options for decarbonized versions of heating and cooling. That was the main objective of what we are trying to do, to create options to affordably decarbonize heating and cooling.

It started because my partner in the company has an existing building services consulting company. We incubated the geothermal company within his company. His company name is Innovia Corporation so when we spun out with the geothermal technologies business, we wanted to keep the spirit of how it originated. That’s why we chose to keep the Innovia name and added Geo at the end of it.

Conventional geothermal systems exchange heat with the stable temperature in the ground. The ground is stable in terms of temperature all year round by about 30 feet deep. That’s why the systems are extremely efficient because of that temperature being so stable. As an example, you can think of your AC in the summertime, when it’s fighting to cool your house when it’s 30 degrees outside. We are doing the same thing with the geothermal system, but it is 10 degrees in the ground, so it is more energy efficient to cool your home. The same applies when you are heating with the temperature from the ground as well.

But the challenge with the existing way geothermal systems are installed, it requires drilling holes in the ground, 100s of feet deep to insert plastic pipes to circulate fluid to exchange heat with the ground. Although they are extremely energy efficient, they are very expensive to install upfront.  While they can be economical for large buildings like hi-rises, it can be tough to make it work for low and mid-rise buildings and homes.  To unlock that segment in the market, we’ve taken a completely different approach. We’ve developed a way to access the same geothermal resource but much shallower. Our technologies are able to function in as little as 50 feet deep, and at those shorter depths we are working with the foundation construction industry to repurpose techniques they use to be able to install geothermal systems much faster and cheaper.

Our customers would be property developers, focused on development of low- and mid-rise commercial buildings and new residential sub-divisions.

We are small team right now. The core people are myself and my partner who has a lot of experience within the building construction and real estate development industries. My background comes from renewable energy where I worked in my career before. We find this is a really good connection between renewable energy and construction with the experience that we both have. We also have a research partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University that has helped us conduct most of our research and development.  We have been working in close collaboration with them, for over 3 years now, on developing our technologies.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishments?

We have a full-scale pilot project that has been up and running for about a year and a half, located in Waterloo. It is being hosted at a facility that is owned and operated by Enova Power (formerly Waterloo-North Hydro Inc.), one of the electricity and power distribution companies for the region of Waterloo.

What are new and exciting things you are working on?

We were accepted into the first cohort of the i.d.e.a. Fund, supported by Haltech and TechPlace. We will use this funding to help us develop a solution focused on new single-family homes for new subdivisions.

We are speaking with a number of large property developers who expressed interest in our technology.

What is your special talent or hobby that no one knows about?

We want Innovia GEO to become the premier provider of clean and renewable geothermal heating cooling systems for low and mid-rise buildings across the world.

What is your take around society’s changing approach towards renewable energies and how we are positioned for it?

I think there’s been a shift, not just in the market but within society as a whole. We are becoming a lot more aware of the impacts to the environment. We are seeing it more in terms of extreme weather and its devastating impacts and also sensitivities to energy supplies and prices. These are recent events but ones that brought much more attention to the environment and our use of natural resources. There is a change that’s happening, not just within governments but importantly within companies.  Fortune 500 companies are saying “we are pledging to make our operations net zero by 2050”, as an example. I think change is happening at all levels across sectors. This is the kind of the groundswell that’s needed to really make this change permanent.

In terms of investment in renewable energies and overall CleanTech, do you see more activity nowadays?

I think there seems to be more investors interested in the clean tech space. It’s growing. It is more top of mind, there’s more attention to it, which draws more investments. It’s the future, so investors want to be part of growing industries, growth opportunities and as the world becomes greener, that’s the big business opportunity for the future.

How can anyone reading this assist you or be a part of your company?

We’re always interested in connecting with property developers and building owners that want to be more green and get their operations towards net zero.

We’re also preparing to look for a seed round funding so happy and interested in connecting with investors that that might be interested in speaking with us.

Definitely a sense of community, the close-knit community. For me personally, when I joined TechPlace first, I had just moved to the region. It was a great connection with entrepreneurs and leaders and mentors within the business community.  It’s great to be able to have a place where I can make those connections.

How can we get in contact with your company/you?

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/innovia-geo/

Interview with the President and Co-Founder of Innovia Geo

Haltech (Halton Region), TechPlace (Burlington) and Innovation Factory (Hamilton) form partnership with LatAm Startups to promote economic growth in Southwestern Ontario. 

BURLINGTON, ON, August 17, 2022 – Today, a new program was announced to enable innovative international companies to grow in southwestern Ontario. The “Acceleration+” program, delivered through a partnership formed with LatAm Startups; Haltech, TechPlace (led by Burlington Economic Development), and Innovation Factory, will provide specialized resources to high-potential startups, designed to help them enter the Canadian market, create new jobs and promote economic returns.

Specifically tailored to the unique needs of an international expansion, Acceleration+ will provide services and programming available through the three organizations, including coaching, mentorship, business advisory support, access to networking events and strategic introductions to investors and regional stakeholders. In addition, companies will be provided office space, access to customized market research and intelligence and support with immigration and visas.

LatAm Startups will accept companies on a rolling intake basis and complete discovery sessions with each to ensure they are provided with customized support to help them grow and scale successfully. 

The launch of Acceleration+ follows up on the recent $3-million Government of Canada  investment for LatAm Startups announced by Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). This project is expected to help bring 100 Latin American startups to Canada, create 180 new jobs, generate $50 million in revenues, and contribute to the commercialization of new technology products and services.

“Our Government recognizes the importance of global business attraction and the role it plays in Canada’s economic development recovery. Today’s launch of the “Acceleration+” program will enable innovative international companies to grow in southwestern Ontario, attract highly qualified personnel, strengthen our economy and create good jobs.”

The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Agency for Southern Ontario 

“This partnership formalizes the relationship between LatAm Startups, TechPlace, Innovation Factory and Haltech and boosts our ability to support innovative companies with leading-edge solutions to make this region their home. This program opens Halton and Hamilton’s doors to the world, creating new opportunities and high-impact jobs for all entrepreneurs and existing companies.”

Shann McGrail, C.E.O., Haltech Regional Innovation Centre

“Supporting innovation and entrepreneurship locally is an important part of what we do at Burlington Economic Development, and we launched TechPlace to create a space and place for start-ups to connect into resources and support. This partnership with LatAm Start-ups is very exciting as it will allow us to expand TechPlace’s reach globally and welcome more international companies to the community. We are thrilled to be able to offer them a place to start growing their business right here in Burlington.” 

Anita Cassidy, Executive Director, Burlington Economic Development 

“Through this innovative partnership with LatAm Startups, Haltech and TechPlace, we are thrilled to support emerging companies as they establish a presence in Southwestern Ontario. The Acceleration+ program provides important services and resources to a community of newcomers and their innovative businesses while also promoting economic development for our region.”

David Carter, Executive Director, Innovation Factory

Government of Canada invests over $3 million to support international tech entrepreneurs’ start-up and scale-up in southern Ontario

LatAm Startups – Phase III: Acceleration Program (Startup Visa)

Haltech is a not-for-profit Regional Innovation Centre (RIC) that has worked with more than 800 innovation companies since its inception. Expertise includes education, mentorship and advisory services and strategic connections with a wider ecosystem of professionals and partners to support technology and innovation companies. Haltech also specializes in programming and support for Women entrepreneurs.

Led by Burlington Economic Development, TechPlace is Burlington’s one-stop destination for new and growing technology companies. The space is home to Haltech, Halton’s Regional Innovation Centre, and Angel One Investor Network, a member-based angel group that has invested more than $25 million in early-stage companies. TechPlace provides space, place, and resources to domestic and international businesses through its Launchpad and Soft-Landing programs, hot desking areas, and meeting and event spaces.

Innovation Factory is a not-for-profit business accelerator, serving as the catalyst for technology innovation in the greater Hamilton area since 2011. From ideation to commercialization and scale-up; Innovation Factory provides business services, training, mentorship, and strategic connections to drive market adoption, leverage intellectual property, and increase revenues, investment, and jobs. Innovators can also access sector-specific resources including exclusive smart transportation test environments and data; and a formal life science and health innovation ecosystem.

Burlington Economic Development / TechPlace

Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Three Regional Economic Development Organizations Announce New Program to Support International Tech Startups and Scaleups in Southwestern Ontario

Burlington, Ontario – July 14, 2022 – Burlington Economic Development announced that it has received a grant of more than $77,000 from the Digital Main Street program for a two-year Digital Service Squad program, which provides small business owners with the tools and support needed to digitally transform their businesses.

“Supporting small business was a core priority for us during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are proud to have supported more than 430 Burlington businesses through the Digital Main Street program,” said Anita Cassidy, Executive Director, Burlington Economic Development. “We are thrilled to see the program continue in Burlington at TechPlace and look forward to connecting with even more businesses that will benefit from this innovative and much needed program.”

Digital Service Squads (DSS) are the cornerstone of Digital Main Street (DMS), with trained specialists who meet with brick-and-mortar small businesses, at no cost, to help them complete an online assessment and to introduce them to online training modules designed to build their digital knowledge and skills. This one-on-one DSS assistance includes support for basic website setup, Google Business Profiles, 360⁰ photos, social media presence, and much more. Squad members are also trained to help qualified small businesses with the development of their Digital Transformation Plan and then with the application process for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant. Applications for this program are now being accepted.

“Small businesses are innovative and entrepreneurial, but often lack the resources to respond to change, be resilient, yet flexible,” said Kay Matthews, Executive Director, OBIAA. “OBIAA is delighted to work once again alongside the Digital Main Street team and is thrilled to support Burlington’s squad. The Digital Main Street program’s resources, grants, training, and Digital Service Squad assistance provide the means for more small businesses in communities across Burlington to adopt innovative ways, create new revenue streams, expand their markets, and face the future with optimism and confidence.”

The Burlington squad will be facilitated by TechPlace, a Burlington Economic Development-led innovation centre focused on supporting the growth of innovation and entrepreneurship in Burlington. Squad specialist Ana Claudia Nobrega will be available starting July 25 for in-person and virtual sessions. Businesses interested in learning more about the program and eligibility requirements for the Digital Transformation Grant are encouraged to contact ana@techplace.ca.

Burlington Economic Development has a mandate to enhance the growth prospects of existing companies and bring new high-value firms to the community. Our focus is on growing the economic base to sustain Burlington’s competitive and prosperous community. Burlington Economic Development is the first point of contact for companies looking to expand, start-up or locate in Burlington.

Led by Burlington Economic Development, TechPlace is Burlington’s one stop destination for new and growing technology companies. The space is home to Haltech, Halton’s Regional Innovation Centre and Angel One Investor Network, a member-based angel group that has invested more than $25 million in early-stage companies. TechPlace provides space, place and resources through its LaunchPad program, hot desking areas and meeting and event spaces.

OBIAA is the network that represents unique and vibrant BIAs across Ontario. The Association supports and advocates on behalf of its members through the building and nurturing of strong relationships and partnerships. OBIAA is a leader in the development and sharing of information, tools, resources and best practices, and is the ONE voice on common issues.

Digital Main Street is a program that helps main street businesses achieve digital transformation. The program is built around an online learning platform, structured training programs, and our Digital Service Squad, a team of street-level team members who help main street businesses grow and manage their operations through technology.

Digital Main Street was created by the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) with direct support from the City of Toronto. DMS is also supported by a group of strategic business partners, including Google, Mastercard, Shopify, Microsoft, Facebook, Intuit QuickBooks, Square, and Lightspeed. The program is delivered Pan Canada in support of small business thanks to the support of all three levels of government. www.digitalmainstreet.ca

New Grant Funding Allows Burlington Digital Service Squad to Continue to Help Small Businesses Adopt Online Technologies

Neil Wilkinson, Managing Director at Equation Angels. Equation Angels curates deal flow and provides services to Angel One and other angel groups in southwestern Ontario.

Angel One Network is a group of about 30 high net-worth individuals who have interest in investing in early-stage technology-based start up companies. Those companies are located primarily in southwestern Ontario but can be from anywhere in North America.

Angel One Network is a founding member of Equation Angels along with angel groups in Kitchener and London and, more recently, Windsor. These four groups came together to create sustainable, modern angel investor network.

Together, under the Equation banner, we have about 125 investors. This means more capital on the table to support more founders. This also means consolidated screening and application process, check out this link. Before Equation Angels was formed, companies would have to apply to 4 different angel groups and make 4 different pitches to try to get their funding. Now, it is one application pitched to all 125 members in one go.

How do you find and get in front of the deals you want to be a part of?

This is another advantage of being part of the bigger group for Angel One. As Equation, we essentially have 4 business developers in each of the 4 communities that we currently operate in. Here, at Angel One, the Chapter Manager, Suvid, is the business developer, and the fact that we co-locate, right here with Haltech at TechPlace is really important. Suvid is meeting the founders that are working out of TechPlace on a regular basis and the same happens in the other communities.

We also engage with the early-stage innovation ecosystem through all the regional innovation centres, some private accelerators, and venture studios. We attend various pitch competitions, and as one of 13 angel groups in Ontario, we collaborate well across the groups and through Angel Investors Ontario (AIO), we share opportunities.

We find interesting companies for the members to look at, we pre-screen them to make sure they meet criteria the angels are looking for. Then the Equation group comes together once a month and sees pitches and presentations from the companies and decides whether to invest in them or not.

What do you look for in a start up as you evaluate it for a potential investment?

Angel One’s investment thesis is that we are looking for technology, or technology-empowered start-ups that promise to deliver better than average returns into a large market opportunity. Typically, a billion-dollar market opportunity is what we are looking for.

When it comes down to the evaluation, each angel makes their own decisions as to what they are investing in. They all have their own investment thesis, that is a subset of ours. We have some members that will only invest in companies that have some degree of social good, B-Corps, as they are sometimes called. Some angels are particularly interested in women founders. Some investors look only to specific industries or sectors.

The fundamentals behind any deal come down to four T’s; Team, Technology, Traction and Timing;

The team- have the founders assembled the well-balanced team that addresses the technical and business side of the company?

The technology – Is it good technology that will do what it says it’s going to do? Is the IP protected or protectable?

The timing- is this market ready for this product or service?

Blog

Blog

TechPlace and Haltech Showcase Innovation and Success at Annual Open House, Unveils 2022 Annual Reports

September 21, 2023

Burlington Economic Development Welcomes New Board Members

September 6, 2023

The Power of High School Co-op Programs: A Win-Win for Students and Businesses

September 1, 2023

New TechPlace website featuring updated membership model and easy-to-use booking platform

July 26, 2023

TechPlace is Proud to Announce Partnership with University of Lisbon's Tec Labs

May 10, 2023

Get to Know LaunchPad Company Belleville Analytics Inc.

May 2, 2023

TechPlace, Haltech, Innovation Factory, welcome 16 international companies into Cohort 2 of Government of Canada-funded Acceleration+ Program

May 2, 2023

February Recap of Mohawk College Day at TechPlace

March 15, 2023

Haltech new partnerships to support women founders and investors in technology and innovation

March 8, 2023

Burlington Economic Development Celebrates 5 Years of Operations at TechPlace with Open House Event

September 7, 2022

Interview with the President and Co-Founder of Innovia Geo

August 17, 2022

Three Regional Economic Development Organizations Announce New Program to Support International Tech Startups and Scaleups in Southwestern Ontario

August 17, 2022

New Grant Funding Allows Burlington Digital Service Squad to Continue to Help Small Businesses Adopt Online Technologies

July 14, 2022

In Conversation with Angel One

March 3, 2022

Interview with Cardiotrack CEO and Co-Founder

October 26, 2021

In Conversation with IRIS R&D Group

June 2, 2021

TechPlace Leverages Canada Summer Jobs Program to Help the Next Wave of Talent Get Hands On Work Experience

June 2, 2021

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