Got a better mouse-trap? What do you do next? Enter the 2009 New Ventures
BC Competition to turn your idea into a profitable
company!
The New Ventures BC Competition is like
boot camp for business ideas: your proposal will be tried and tested as you
move through the competition, developing a solid business plan, making the
contacts you may need to form a strong management team, and accessing the
expertise needed to launch a successful business.
The
competition will give you the opportunity to join in-depth seminars, and
network with business, legal, government, and marketing professionals.
Competitors will also meet experts, mentors, and innovators who can help you
take your idea from germination to fruition; refine your idea for a technology
product or service and develop a business plan to attract financing; and give
you the chance to win the first prize package worth over $100,000.
For those interested in the
competition, the Kootenay Association for Science & Technology (KAST) is
hosting an informational seminar, Assessing the Opportunity, on Wednesday March
11, 2009 at the Sandman Hotel, Castlegar. To register please call 250.483.5052
or email info@kast.com. This interactive event will review what it
means to be a technology entrepreneur and help you develop a business
opportunity statement that can be used to take your idea or business to the
next level. Presenter Bob de Wit is a mentor, advisor, investor and consultant and
will be discussing and outlining the New Ventures Competition.
The New Ventures BC competition is open to those ideas involving a new
technology. In the past, new technologies have included a pile driver, a laptop
antitheft device, a livestock feeding system, and a wireless gaming application,
among others. A "new venture" is a business idea that is economically
viable, but has not yet secured significant financing from "outside
investors" (ie. investors other than friends, family, and company
founders). It must be an innovative product or service involving a new
technology.
The competition consists of four rounds of increasing complexity and commitment.
Teams are eliminated after each round. Round
1 focuses on The Idea. To
enter the competition, you must complete the registration form and describe
your idea by describing the product or service offered, describing the
innovation behind the idea without disclosing proprietary technology as well as
analysing the market and competition. Deadline to enter is April 20, 2009.
Round 2 will be the Feasibility
Test, Round 3 focuses on the Condensed
Venture Plan and Round 4 is the
Finale which takes place in September 2009. The New Ventures BC Competition Jury is
composed of experienced members of the business community and could include
venture capitalists, bankers, CEOs, Angel investors, and content experts from
universities and industry.
The jury for round one and two is composed of approximately 25 industry
experts, university, college and government agency experts, and Industry
Liaison officers. The jury for round three and four is composed of venture
capitalists, bankers, angel investors and senior business professionals.
Awards honour innovative educators who encourage innovative practices
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 National Technology Innovation Awards (NTIA). The NTIA was first introduced in 2004 in the Greater Toronto Area and since that time has grown to become a truly national award, inviting nominations from across Canada.
Nominations are open to educators in publicly funded schools and are being accepted until Monday, March 2, 2009. Information and Communication Technologies have been instrumental in building modern, interactive learning environments for students in publicly funded schools, colleges and universities across the nation. The NTIA focuses on projects that address a variety of areas including professional development, knowledge transfer, organizational learning, students with special needs and blended learning environments.
Kaslo, Castlegar and Rossland Join the BizPaL Network By CivicInfo
BC
VICTORIA - Three municipalities welcome
BizPal, the online business permit and license service that saves time spent on
paperwork and start-up.
“BizPaL is part of our government’s economic plan to support innovation and cut
red tape,” said Jim Abbott, MP for Kootenay-Columbia, on behalf of Tony
Clement, Minister of Industry.
A partnership among federal, provincial, territorial, regional and local governments,
BizPal assists small business owners in reducing the burden of paperwork by
simplifying access to information regarding the necessary permits and licenses.
“BizPaL is a user-friendly tool that saves time, cuts red tape, and
demonstrates our government's commitment to making B.C. Canada's most
small-business friendly jurisdiction," said Kevin Krueger, former Minister
of Small Business and Revenue and Minister responsible for Regulatory Reform.
“Thanks to the partnership between the three levels of government, this program
has been a great success.”
BizPaL was developed with the support of Industry Canada, and was recently
acknowledged with a Premier’s Innovation and Excellence award in the
Partnerships category. Source: The Province of British Columbia.
Submissions for the 2009 Technology Impact Awards are now open! Submit by March 13
BCTIA's Technology Impact Awards (TIAs) are synonymous with business excellence in British Columbia, recognizing the companies, the people and innovation that set the highest standards and serve as role models in our province.
Be part of the largest and most inclusive technology event in BC. Submit to the 2009 TIAs and your company could benefit through:
Technology companies of all sectors and of all sizes are encouraged to submit. www.bctia.org/awards
"Winning the Technology Impact Award for Emerging Company of the Year raised province-wide awareness about our company, our technology and what we’re trying to accomplish and as a result was very beneficial for our personnel recruitment efforts." – Dr. John MacDonald, Day4 Energy Inc. Winner of the 2008 Emerging Company of the Year Award
Why submit?
Founded in 1994 by the BCTIA, the Technology Impact Awards are synonymous with business excellence in British Columbia, shining a spotlight on the people and innovation that sets the standard and serves as role models in our province.
The TIAs is the largest and most inclusive technology event in the province, involving all sizes and sectors of BC technology companies.
Those who participate in the TIAs benefit through:
Recognition as a leading technology company who demonstrates extraordinary excellence. Set yourself apart from the competition and become a 2008 TIA Finalist or Winner!
Exposure via media distribution channels and the year-round marketing communications program delivered by BCTIA to showcase all Finalists and Winners. Finalists and Winners will also take part in our monthly Impact Speaker Series Program, putting their company in front of potential mentors, partners, investors and advisors.
Opportunity A recognized TIA Finalist or Winner catches the searching eye of many. Investors look for quality assurance and available tech talent looks to work for companies that inspire. Give them the reason they need to keep your company at the forefront of consideration
This program is open to technology companies whose: 1. Head Office is based in British Columbia, or whose 2. Parent company has established a significant operating division, including senior management, in BC.
Awards are broken into three distinct groups: Technology Awards, Company Awards and Personal Recognition Awards.
Technology Awards
Most Promising Pre-Commercial Technology This award acknowledges a pre-commercial technology in the R&D stage of development with the potential to commercialize within five years and represents a fundamental advancement in technology. Past Winner: Lignol Energy Corp (2008)
Excellence in Product Innovation This award acknowledges a superior innovation or discovery in an advanced technology. The innovation should demonstrate an alternative solution or a next stage development in technology, with an eye toward commercialization. Past winner: Kodak Graphic Communications (2008).
Best Application of Technology This award is open to all sectors of business and is meant to acknowledge an organization that has utilized technology to enhance and improve their productivity, business processes, operations, sales, marketing, supply chain management, customer service, communications, competitiveness or business relationships. Past winner: MDA (2008)
Company Awards
Most Promising Start-up This award acknowledges an early-stage (less than 3 years old) technology company with commercially available products that demonstrates significant potential, creativity and a promising future. Past winner: Rx Networks Inc. (2008)
Emerging Company of the Year This award acknowledges an emerging company (over 3 years old) demonstrating outstanding performance as a technology enterprise. This company is one that has growing revenues, is on track according to its business plan and has the potential of becoming a leader in its market. Past winner: Day4 Energy Inc. (2008).
Company of the Year This award acknowledges a company’s supremacy in the technology industry. Winners of this award must show superior business development and revenue in excess of 20 million dollars. Past winner: Absolute Software Corporation (2008)
Personal Recognition Awards
Team of the Year This award acknowledges a team of individuals, working at a non-executive level, who have made a significant contribution to the overall success of their organization during the past year. The team’s achievement must be measurable and tangible and is not limited to the development or delivery of technology. As such, teams working within any department are encouraged to apply. Past winner: Vision Critical (2008)
Leadership in Social Responsibility BCTIA encourages and supports the technology community in developing socially responsible business practices and processes. Past winner: AbeBooks.com (2008)
Person of the Year This award will be presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the technology industry during the past year. The contribution may be through activities with a company, research institution, association, or non-profit agency. All candidates must currently reside in British Columbia. Past winner: Dr. John MacDonald (2008)
Exporting
is crucial to the long-term growth and success of your technology
business. Every step is critical to your success…choosing the market,
leveraging partnerships, securing the cash, and finding the right
people.
The Global Growth Symposium will deliver the tools
needed to get you on the path of global expansion. This full-day
program will deliver an understanding of what it takes to expand into
new markets, the benefits of global growth, and the pitfalls to avoid.
Who should attend?
CEOs, Presidents, and Senior Executives of technology companies responsible for company growth.
Key topics include: Primary challenges to becoming an exporter How to select an appropriate market entry strategy Requirements for the internal organization Costs to be considered when building an export market Selling domestically vs selling in the US and overseas Competitive hurdles The importance of building relationships with local partners Market qualification Federal support infrastructure
Registration includes the full-day symposium, breakfast, lunch, and the resource tools to get you started on your export plan.
Do you love cool and interest science projects? Do you want to enrich and encourage a student’s passion for science? Then KAST invites you to participate in one or both of the upcoming science fairs.
Time commitment and Info:
SD20 Science Fair, Trail Middle School Thursday March 12 1pm Judge's Training 2-4 Judging
Regional Science Fair, Selkirk College Castlegar Saturday April 4 7:30 Judge's Training 8:30 - 11:30 Judging
BC Innovators Network is a catalyst, resource and connector designed to accelerate the growth of British Columbia's science and technology companies on the path to commercialization.
KAST wants you to join! The main benefit to you in joining is meeting other members and really making a difference to a student, a school, company or other organization that can benefit from your expertise. This network will take collaboration to a whole new level in BC.
A combination of high tech and high touch, BC Innovators Network is a sophisticated software system that will identify and connect players with shared interests throughout all points of B.C.'s commercialization chain.
Who should be part of the network and why? Scientists and Technology Engineers/Developers » Opportunity to accelerate growth of the S&T sectors throughout B.C. » Play a role in leading the development of innovative ideas » Talent and leadership recruitment opportunities » Enhance communication between institutions and industry Academics » Enhance communication between institutions and industry » Inform students of industry opportunities » Access to industry advancements and regulations » Industry experts » Speaking opportunities Venture Capitalists » Support entrepreneurs and innovators » Drive innovation to commercial success » Create partnerships for economic growth Serial Entrepreneurs (mentors) » Support entrepreneurs and innovators » Contribute to a lasting legacy within B.C.’s knowledge economy Students and Recent Grads » Access deep industry resource pool » Source mentorship relationships » Follow industry trends and developments New Business Owners » Access to resources and key people in the commercialization chain » Talent and leadership recruitment opportunities » Source vendor and supplier contacts
BC Innovators Network: a program from the British Columbia Innovation Council, a Crown Agency of the Province of British Columbia, works to competitively position B.C. in the global science and technology economy.
I encourage you to join the BC Innovators Network today. Please contact our office if you have any questions or visit www.bcic.ca/innovators-network.
Best Regards,
Kelvin Saldern, Executive Director Kootenay Association for Science & Technology (KAST)
The Innova Awards are announced annually by LED Journal and feature leading companies within the LED market who have shown, through their products and services, the most innovative and advanced technology breakthroughs in LEDs. The solid-state lighting and LED industry is constantly changing and evolving. The Innova Awards are designed to recognize companies each year for industry leadership, product development excellence, best new technology, and outstanding LED applications, which will eventually lead to the widespread adoption of LED technology in the marketplace.
Product Development Excellence
Future Lighting Solutions Offers the Industry’s First Thermal Simulation Software for High-Power LEDs that Accelerates Development and Decreases Costs
Future Lighting Solutions and Qfinsoft developed QLED, the first thermal design software developed for the solid state lighting industry. QLED minimizes the number of design cycles, reduces development costs and decreases time to market by eliminating the traditional trial-and-error approach to thermal design. The software guides users through step-by-step design wizards to select, place and simulate power LEDs mounted on FR-4 boards or MCPCBs. Additionally, users can seamlessly integrate thermal vias, heat sinks and fans to generate the most accurate transient or steady state thermal simulations. An evaluation version of QLED can be downloaded for free at www.futurelightingsolutions.com/qled.
“In addition to generating extremely precise thermal simulation results, QLED also calculates the expected luminous flux produced by the LED,” said Jan Visser, president of Qfinsoft Technology, Inc. “QLED can also be used to simulate slow and fast transients as well as automatically improve designs by using a highly efficient mathematical optimization algorithm.”
“Customers using QLED can literally develop, simulate and optimize thermal designs in minutes instead of working with a thermal design engineer and costly software alternatives,” said Patrick Durand, Worldwide Applications manager for Future Lighting Solutions. “QLED will revolutionize how the solid state lighting industry develops new products.”
Congratulations to Jan Visser, President and CEO : Qfinsoft Technology Inc and his team.
BC Green Games is an annual digital media contest for K-12 students designed to motivate action, facilitate sharing and reward and celebrate the green efforts of schools throughout BC supporting the Ministry of Education's Green Schools Strategy. This initiative will be managed by Science World British Columbia in partnership with the Ministry of Education and developed in collaboration with the Richmond School District and North Vancouver School District and will include input and/or cross-promotion from other like-minded organizations, programs and corporations committed to the promotion of environmental sustainability. Program Design
BC Green Games will be focused on motivating action, facilitating sharing and celebrating the green efforts of schools throughout BC to support the Ministry of Education’s Green Schools Strategy.
Student submissions will demonstrate action-based projects that inspire positive changes in behaviour in their school or community relating to sustainable development, climate change or greenhouse gas reduction and environmental stewardship. Projects may include but are not limited to topics such as: climate change, energy efficiency, stewardship and conservation and sustainable development. Project submissions will be submitted digitally illustrating a use of technology to effectively tell stories of positive change. Submission format will range from simple pamphlets and photo essays to videos and online games. Projects that fit into BC Green Games submission guidelines parameters and are action-based and facilitated by an established environmental education programs will be encouraged.
Target Audience Key Student Audience: Kindergarten to Grade 12 students, their teachers, administrators and parents throughout British Columbia
Community Support Audience: Science and technology mentors, community groups and environmental education organizations throughout British Columbia.
Program Objectives Key Student Audience: 1) Engage students to act, share and celebrate their school projects that promote protection of the environment, sustainability, and stewardship within the context of the Ministry of Education's Green Schools Strategy. 2) Develop supporting teacher/parent information to make the registration and submission process easy to use and accessible for all shapes and sizes of projects while encouraging schools to both embrace new technologies and “walk the talk”. 3) Create a user-friendly, inspirational repository for student projects from schools from across the province showcased on the web and as a part of exhibits viewed by over 525,000 visitors to TELUS World of Science annually.
Community Support Audience: 1) Engage community resource people including scientists and industry leaders in supporting school projects and the overall BC Green Games initiatives with time reviewing or judging proposals and/or supporting resources to assist with specific project implementation or contest prizes. 2) Create a network of established environmental education organizations who would benefit by having their participating schools submit their digital stories to the BC Green Games contest. Contest Detail Ideas Through a process of web-based research and interviewing experts in the field, we have identified the following key elements as necessary parts of the structure of BC Green Games:
1) A simple two or three step approach for submission with registration, an optional outline step wherein teams can request mentor feedback/advise/input, and the final submission. 2) Inclusion of mentors where/when requested to motivate and encourage teams and engage and promote to the wider community in the value of this important initiative. 3) Mixed evaluation/judging model which will include science and environment professionals, celebrities as well as an element of public voting. This mixed model will be designed to maximize community engagement and promotion opportunities and encourage teams to learn from each other and explore projects from throughout BC.
Research of existing online student contests is well underway evaluating project team structure, formats, categories, IT platforms, content, curriculum-fit and supporting information requirements for teacher/parent coaches.
Green Games Connections to BC Prescribed Learning Outcomes Social Studies – K, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 Science – K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Biology – 11 Sustainable Resources (Draft) – 11, 12 Civic Studies – 11 Information Technology – 9, 10 Digital Media Development – 11, 12 Visual Arts – 8, 9, 10 Social Studies 11 Social Justice – 12
If you are a keen environmental educator and will not be sponsoring a project for BC Green Games 2009, this is your opportunity to get involved! Please see the attached pdf for more info.
Turn your idea into a profitable company by entering the New Ventures BC competition.
The competition will give you the opportunity to: * Join in-depth seminars, and network with business, legal, government, and marketing professionals. * Meet experts, mentors, and innovators who can help you take your idea from germination to fruition. * Refine your idea for a technology product or service and develop a business plan to attract financing. * Win the first place prize package worth over $100,000
