The Communitech Hub | Formerly: Kitchener Digital Media Hub | Located at The Tannery

[Spokes]

http://www.downtownkitchener.ca/sites/cityofkitchener/images/2009-09-cube-large2.jpg


City gives $500,000 for digital media centre

September 09, 2008
Terry Pender
RECORD STAFF


City councillors are putting $500,000 into an ambitious project that aims to create a digital-media laboratory in the downtown.

The money, approved by the city's finance committee yesterday, will be used for special equipment and technical resources to operate what's called an incubator for digital-media applications.

The laboratory will use computers, special projectors and screens to create three-dimensional images of everything from works of art to molecular models of new medicines to training packages for astronauts.

In the high-tech world of digital media this is called "visualization," and it's what the Digital Media Convergence Centre in downtown Kitchener will focus on.

"It seems to be a very exciting proposal," said Coun. Berry Vrbanovic, who chairs the finance committee.

The laboratory is expected to cost between $20 million and $30 million. It will need about 30,000 square feet of space in a building with high ceilings. Ideally, it will be located close to the University of Waterloo's school of pharmacy at King and Victoria streets.

"I see an urban location as critical to the project," said Rod Regier, the city's director of economic development.

Regier said the arts community and several high-tech firms are located downtown, as is the University of Waterloo's health sciences campus that is being built on Victoria Street.

The rest of the money for the laboratory is expected to come from several sources, including $12 million in cash and services from industrial partners such as Christie Digital, Dalsa and Open Text. Another $5.7 million will come from academic institutions. Communitech, an agency representing the area's high-tech businesses, will provide $1 million.

"This is very exciting and I would say cutting edge," Coun. Geoff Lorentz said.

Communitech is applying to the federal government for between $10 million and $20 million. The province will be asked for funds as well.

Ken Coates, the University of Waterloo's dean of arts, said faculty and graduate students will work out of the laboratory.

"There are big companies willing to put a lot of support behind this," Coates said.

The City of Stratford recently committed $10 million to a digital-media laboratory there that will focus on creating content. The Kitchener lab will concentrate on displaying that content -- visualization.

"This is not the same as Stratford's, it is complimentary," Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr said.

Coun. John Gazzola was the only member of council to oppose spending $500,000 on the project.

Gazzola said the city has already spent $30 million to bring the school of pharmacy to the core, and another $6.5 million to attract Wilfrid Laurier University's graduate school of social work to the downtown.

Property taxes should not be used to help pay for post-secondary education and research, Gazzola said.

While he likes the concept of a digital-media laboratory, "we are coming to the wrong people to support it," Gazzola said.

tpender@therecord.com

[Spokes]

New Kitchener digital media centre gets $5.35 million

January 22, 2009
Record staff
Web edition

KITCHENER — The federal government is kicking in $5.35 million to get a digital media research centre in downtown Kitchener off the ground.

Gary Goodyear, the federal minister of state for science and technology, announced the funding this morning in Stratford. The Stratford Institute, a proposed University of Waterloo campus in Stratford, also is getting $5.3 million for a digital media research centre.

Together, the two research facilities will form the Corridor for Advancing Canadian Digital Media.

The Kitchener centre, an initiative of the City of Kitchener, the Communitech technology association, the University of Waterloo and local high technology companies, such as Christie Digital and Open Text Corp., will house digital imaging, projection and studio technologies. Researchers, and digital media companies and startups will share space in the centre.

The City of Kitchener has set aside $500,000 for the centre. The private sector has committed $12 million to the project. Academic institutions, such as UW, will contribute $5.7 million. Communitech will invest $1 million in the project.

The federal money, to be paid over five years, comes from a $350-million program that provides funding for Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research.

The new digital media centre will be located in downtown Kitchener and is slated to be operational in some form by the end of the year. No one at this morning's press conference would reveal where the centre will be located, although Kevin Tuer, executive director of the digital media corridor, said the group will refurbish existing space in Kitchener's core.

[Spokes]

City of Kitchener News Release:



Ontario Government Infuses $26 Million into Kitchener Digital Media Hub
"The Communitech Hub: Digital Media & Mobile Accelerator" to Drive New Enterprises and Jobs in Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region, ON (November 6, 2009) – Ontario's Minister of Research and Innovation John Milloy, MPP for Kitchener-Centre, today announced that the province is providing $26 million to Communitech to create Ontario's hub for digital media tools, technology and applications. The Communitech Hub: Digital Media & Mobile Accelerator will serve as a 'club-house' of innovation for digital media companies and entrepreneurs and drive creation of new companies and jobs in Waterloo Region and throughout Ontario.

“Ontario is already recognized as a global leader in the digital media sector and today we are sending a clear signal to digital entrepreneurs everywhere – Ontario means business. The Hub will strengthen our ability to support innovators right here in Waterloo Region and across the province, as they work to turn new ideas into new jobs and globally-competitive businesses,” said Minister Milloy.

The Hub will also have R&D and capital support from established companies in the Waterloo region including RIM, Open Text Corporation, Christie Digital Systems, Agfa HealthCare and Dalsa as well as the City of Kitchener.

“Waterloo Region is a perfect fit for The Hub. We are home to globally-recognized research and industry leaders, a highly-skilled workforce, and now – the business development and commercialization muscle that we need to help build Ontario’s digital economy,” said Leeanna Pendergast, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga.

Communitech, the region's organization dedicated to commercialization of innovation, has championed The Hub project to support businesses at all stages of their growth and enhance the tech sector overall. It is also the host organization of the new Canadian Digital Media Network - a federal centre of excellence designed to interconnect Canada's clusters of digital media expertise.

"Our focus is business-driven commercialization of high-tech innovations, and we believe the Province has invested in The Hub because Communitech has a track record of success in supporting companies at all stages in their evolution from start-up to multinational success story. Canada needs even more tech success stories and we're here to help create those," said Iain Klugman, president and CEO of Communitech.

Some features of The Hub will include:


30,000 square foot open innovation hub 'club house' bringing together knowledge, activities, tools and expertise;
2,000 square feet dedicated to enabling entrepreneurs to 'incubate' ideas in close proximity to tools and services they need to succeed.
8,000 square feet allocated to partner lab space with platforms and tools provided by established partner companies including RIM, Open Text, Agfa, HealthCare and Christie Digital Systems;
A versatile immersive environment with reconfigurable projection and display systems;
Full audio-visual production studios including advanced equipment such as scalable sensors, cameras and media capture equiptment;
Medical imaging software platforms for development purposes;
A suite of expert resources including entrepreneurs in residence, project manager support, marketing and branding expertise.


"Speaking on behalf of all the partner companies involved in this venture, we're delighted at the level of commitment provided by the Province which demonstrates strong support for the high-tech community and digital media in particular. This is a strategic investment in Ontario's future," said Tom Jenkins, Executive Chairman & Chief Strategy Officer of Open Text and Chair of the Canadian Digital Media Network Advisory Board.

http://www.kitchener.ca/digitalmediahub/ (http://www.kitchener.ca/digitalmediahub/)

[Spokes]

High tech “creative sandbox” to get $26 million boost

November 07, 2009
By Luisa D’Amato, Record staff

KITCHENER — The province will invest more than $26 million in a centre that will be a type of clubhouse for companies, entrepreneurs and researchers involved in digital media to share ideas and help start new ventures.

It’s to be a “creative sandbox for technology makers and users,” said John Milloy, Minister of Research and Innovation and also Kitchener Centre’s MPP.

High-tech leaders from around Waterloo Region applauded when Milloy made the announcement on Friday. They were at a news conference in the Lang Tannery building in downtown Kitchener, where it is expected the centre will be.

Milloy said the world economy is changing, and Ontario has to be ready.

“Globally, the digital media market by 2012 will be worth $2.2 trillion,” he said. “Quite frankly, there’s a global competition on who’s going to be the leader.

“We have to position ourselves for the future. We have to position ourselves to be leaders.”

The term “digital media” can mean everything from special effects in movies, to the ability to send sophisticated images of brain scans to a doctor’s hand-held device.

Another example: If you were thinking of buying a laptop computer, the company might use digital media technology to send a message to your cellphone, letting you know that the laptop you’re interested in just went on sale, and there’s a store just around the corner from you, with that model in stock.

Iain Klugman, president and CEO of Communitech, an organization that promotes local technology companies and is organizing this venture, said it will cost $107 million to start the centre.

In addition to the provincial amount, which will be spread over the next five years, the federal government gave $5.4 million and the City of Kitchener, $500,000. The rest will come from private companies, either in cash or in-kind donations such as equipment and software.

What the centre will do, most of all, is bring together some of the early-stage companies with the larger, more established ones. There will be mentoring, brainstorming and sharing of technology and equipment.

“This will absolutely put Waterloo Region on the map as being a major digital media centre in North America,” said Klugman.

Even though the centre isn’t expected to start operating until next spring, there have already been inquiries from Scotland and across the United States and Canada, he said.

Milloy, asked how the province can find the money for this when it is facing a $24.7-billion deficit, said, “This is about the future, and this is about jobs.”

He said the new centre would boost the economy by assisting new ventures and producing jobs, not only in the high-technology area but also in spinoff effects.

ldamato@therecord.com


This will be a fantastic addition to the downtown core and to the Tannery project!

[Spokes]

The city produced a good FAQ about the Digital Media Hub. It's got some good basic info about the project. It can be found here. (http://www.kitchener.ca/pdf/digital_media_hub.pdf)

[Spokes]

Interesting piece about the "Hive" found in the Communitech Hub at the Tannery.



Federal Government Provides Community Adjustment Fund Support for Digital Media HIVE at The Communitech Hub
Christie 3D Environment Makes Digital Innovation a Reality

Waterloo Region, ON (Nov. 12, 2010) – There was cause to celebrate another landmark for The Communitech Hub today as the new innovative 3D HIVE from Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc. (Christie) was officially commissioned. The equipment was installed in part thanks to $280,000 in funding provided by the Community Adjustment Fund of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, through which $1 billion in funding is being provided across the country over two years to address short-term economic needs of communities impacted by the global recession.

“The Communitech Hub will foster the development of important new digital media products and is expected to create thousands of new jobs in Canada over the next five years,” said Peter Braid, MP Kitchener-Waterloo. “This investment will support entrepreneurship, create jobs and further strengthen this region’s reputation as a centre of innovation.”

Also participating in the celebration was Harold Albrecht, MP Kitchener-Conestoga. The Hub occupies 30,000 square feet of a renovated downtown Kitchener Tannery building and houses start-up companies, small-medium enterprises, and global multi-nationals with the goal of accelerating the pace of development of new ideas and products in the digital media sector. Christie is a founding partner company and has provided advanced visualization tools and integration expertise to help startup companies explore new concepts and advance their programs.

“We look forward to seeing the results of collaboration and mentoring at The Hub which will undoubtedly produce new initiatives in digital media and contribute to long-term success, not only for the vibrant high tech community locally, but for Canada on the international scale,” said Gerry Remers, president and COO, Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc.

Communitech’s HIVE, which stands for the Hub Interactive Virtual Environment, has been a focal point of interest for visitors to The Hub and its occupants since its installation. The HIVE is powered by 12 Christie Mirage HD6 stereoscopic DLP® projectors, enabling the display of vast amounts of data in a totally immersive setting for advanced research capability. Four Christie Mirage WU18 DLP projectors and Christie Spyder X20 video processors are installed in The Tannery Events Centre, for the most versatile and advanced of presentations. The Pollock Executive Briefing Centre, named for the founder of Electrohome Limited – whose projection systems division was acquired by Christie in 1999 – features a Christie Mirage WU7 DLP projector with Christie Spyder X20 allowing for multi-source windowing, including 3D content.

“The strong support from both the federal government and Christie through its generous contribution of expertise and equipment is a formula for success, making this a unique digital media centre for Canada and one of the most advanced in the world,” said Iain Klugman, president and CEO of Communitech.

Experiencing the immersive environment was an impressive part of both The Communitech Hub opening in October and the federal presentation event today, as attendees experienced the visual impact of the Christie installations. Deemed the new digital canvas, Christie’s award-winning modular display devices, Christie® MicroTiles™, also add an impressive backdrop to The Hub lobby where they illuminate the main reception area.

Design of The Hub enables an open concept area for the established companies to brainstorm and collaborate, and private office areas for entrepreneurs to ‘incubate’ ideas in close proximity to tools and services they need to succeed. Companies have access to a suite of expert resources including entrepreneurs in residence, project manager support, and marketing & branding expertise. The Hub is home to the Canadian Digital Media Network headquarters and houses some Communitech offices. The facility was created with generous financial support from all levels of government and the private sector.
http://www.christiedigital.com/AMEN/Corporate/MediaCenter/PressRelease/FederalGovernmentProvidesCommunitySupport.htm (http://www.christiedigital.com/AMEN/Corporate/MediaCenter/PressRelease/FederalGovernmentProvidesCommunitySupport.htm)

Crossposted in the Lang Tannery Thread (http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/showthread.php/30-Lang-Tannery-Redevelopment-20-m-5-fl)

[Spokes]

A fantastic new joint venture between The Communitech Hub and the Accelerator Centre


Communitech and the Accelerator Centre Team up to Launch new Accelerator Program
Formal agreement combines programs to better serve Waterloo Region technology companies

WATERLOO, Nov. 16 /CNW/ - Waterloo Region, already home to some 300 startup companies, just became an even better place to start a business. Early-stage companies now have access to seamless support services from both the Accelerator Centre (AC) in the Research + Technology Park and Communitech, which supports Waterloo Region's tech cluster of more than 700 tech companies.

"Essentially we're creating one-stop shopping for early-stage companies looking for help to take their business to the next level," said Iain Klugman, President and CEO of Communitech.

Under the new agreement, start-ups housed at both The Accelerator Centre and The Communitech Hub will have access to the same Accelerator Program - supported equally, regardless of where their company is located. Because of the creation of The Communitech Hub in downtown Kitchener, there is increased office space available, and more manpower to support expanded initiatives.

"Waterloo Region has proven to be fertile ground for technology companies, and we've had the pleasure over the last five years of growing and maturing start-ups representing a wide range of industries from health care and medical devices, to wireless mobility, to robotics. Now we are effectively doubling our capacity to serve early stage technology companies here in the Region, allowing these companies to realize their potential and move to market faster," said Tim Jackson, CEO of the Accelerator Centre.

Key Features of the Accelerator Program include:


Office facilities;
Coaching and mentoring;
Education;
Connections to capital;
Networking;
R&D support and outreach;
Talent recruitment;
Technology transfer assistance;
Commercialization expertise.


The Accelerator Centre (AC), located within Waterloo's Research + Technology Park, is an award-winning facility dedicated to developing and commercializing technology start-ups. Since opening its doors to clients in May 2006, the AC has graduated seven companies into the marketplace, and is home to 20+ other start-ups at various stages of maturity.

The Communitech Hub, located in Kitchener's historic Tannery Building, has 30,000 square feet of space available to support the growth and commercialization of Ontario's digital media and mobile computing industry. Start-ups located at The Hub participate in the same programs as those located at the AC, including coaching from Communitech's experienced team of Executives-in-Residence.

"The collaboration between the Accelerator Centre and Communitech benefits all our clients and draws on the best expertise the Region has to offer," said Kevin Tuer, VP Digital Media, Communitech.

Entrepreneurs and early stage companies interested in becoming tenants of the Accelerator Centre or The Communitech Hub can apply online at either organization's website.
http://newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2010/16/c4581.html (http://newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2010/16/c4581.html)

Crossposted in the Lang Tannery Thread (http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/showthread.php/30-Lang-Tannery-Redevelopment-20-m-5-fl)