Innovation Cluster Partners with Kawartha Manufacturers Association to Provide Free Memberships for New Local Manufacturers and Clean Tech/Social Innovation Startups

The Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas (ICPK) unveiled its partnership with the Kawartha Manufacturers Association (KMA), offering complimentary membership in its association to emerging manufacturers and early-stage Innovation Cluster clients in the manufacturing and clean tech/social innovation sectors.

photo courtesy of innovation cluster.

Tom Sayers, one of longest standing members of the Kawartha Manufacturers Association said, “the KMA was founded 30 years ago with a mission to increase the competitiveness of manufacturers in Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes by providing forums for sharing best practices, collaborating on training initiatives, and creating a network of experienced problem-solvers.”

Diane Richard, President of Diatom Consulting and Professional Training, is a KMA member and serves on the Innovation Cluster board. Diane emphasized the importance of KMA's initiative, stating, "the free membership program offered by KMA is an incredible opportunity for new manufacturers and Innovation Cluster clients to access invaluable resources and connect with industry experts. It will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and success of businesses in our region."

Camila Duarte, Senior Innovation Specialist & Programs Director at the Innovation Cluster, stated, "this initiative aligns perfectly with our goal of fostering innovation and growth in the manufacturing and clean tech/social innovation sectors. It's a great way for emerging businesses to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience within the KMA community."

By offering free memberships to emerging manufacturers in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, along with early-stage Innovation Cluster clients, KMA aims to expedite the growth of these new manufacturers and startups, benefiting the community by creating skilled technology jobs resulting from their endeavours.

John Jankowski, current KMA Chair, encourages local manufacturers and Innovation Cluster clients to take advantage of the free membership offer or renew their existing memberships. "We are very excited to bring our community back together after several years of challenges for our members and the inability to hold events," says Jankowski.

For more information on the free membership offer or to renew a membership, please contact the KMA at info@thekma.com.

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Innovation Cluster Launches the LEAPZONE @KPRDSB Entrepreneurship Program

Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas (ICPK) announces new partnership with Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) to foster entrepreneurial skills among secondary students through the creation of the LEAPZONE @KPRDSB Entrepreneurship Club.

photo courtesy of innovation cluster.

As part of the KPR Pathways Initiative, the LEAPZONE @KPRDSB Entrepreneurship Program is designed to allow students to develop entrepreneurial skills and encourage innovation and creativity. The club will offer four sessions on Ideation and Creativity, Business Fundamentals, Marketing and Brand Development. The program is open to Grades 9-12 students and equips them with the skills to plan, fund, start and run a business or social enterprise.

At the end of the program, selected students from the KPRDSB will have the opportunity to represent their school board at an Ontario-Wide Showcase and Networking Event. This event brings together students from different school boards across Ontario who have participated in similar entrepreneurship programs. The event provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn from each other, share ideas and expand their networks.

"We are thrilled to bring this opportunity to students and introduce them to the exciting world of innovation and entrepreneurship! This learning experience will help students build foundational knowledge and skills and empower them to leap out of their comfort zone and turn their ideas into something great," said principal of Teaching and Learning K-12: Secondary Focus Charlotte Filip.

The Cluster recognizes entrepreneurship's pivotal role in driving economic growth and development, creating job opportunities and promoting social and environmental sustainability. As such, the organization provides a broad range of programs and services tailored to support entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey, including high school, college and university students looking to advance their entrepreneurial endeavours.

"I’m confident the new Leap Zone Program will have a positive impact on young entrepreneurs from KPRDSB. These students will discover the resources available to them to start businesses in our region, and our sessions will help them build the entrepreneurial skills they need for success in the years to come. It’s exciting to think that these students will represent our region's next generation of entrepreneurs, and I can't wait to see what businesses they will launch in the future with our support,” said Senior Innovation Specialist & FastStart Program Manager Lindsey Irwin.

For more information on the LEAPZONE @KPRDSB Entrepreneurship Club, interested parties can visit KPRDSB's official website.

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The Launch Kawartha Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre Is Officially Open

The Launch Kawartha Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre officially opened its doors to the public on Feb. 10, with the goal of providing multiple streams of innovation and incubation programming for the Peterborough community and beyond.

Pictured above from left to right: Mayor Doug Elmslie, City of Kawartha Lakes; MP Jamie Schmale; Executive Director Vince Killen, KLCFDC and Launch Kawartha; Mark Torrey, KLCFDC Board Chair: Nicole Stephenson, Interim CEO Innovation Cluster Peterborough and The Kawarthas.

The Centre is designed and anchored by the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corp. and funded internally by the Kawartha Lakes Business Community Development Corp. It will provide a space for up to 20 entrepreneurs each year to incubate their businesses alongside the Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas. This will aid in delivering programs and services at Launch Kawartha and fostering the development of new, innovative technologies, products, services and job opportunities in the region.

Vince Killen, executive director of the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corp. and Launch Kawartha, announced that the new facility is set to host approximately 40 events over the coming year. Recent events hosted at the centre include the induction announcements for the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame and Ministerial roundtables aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs.

Upcoming events were also announced, including the Intellectual Property “Pizza's and Patents,” a fun and interactive workshop and innovation leadership training programs. Additionally, multiple "Fireside Chats" with industry experts are planned and virtual viewing webinars and events are being developed for the public.

“We are deeply committed to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for entrepreneurs in the City of Kawartha Lakes. That's why we are thrilled to sponsor Launch Kawartha and relentlessly work towards our mission of empowering the next generation of business leaders in our community,” said  Nicole Stephenson, interim CEO of the Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

For more information on the Launch Kawartha Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre, visit the website.

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Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas Appoints Interim CEO Nicole Stephenson

Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas (the ‘Organization’) has appointed an interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) while the search for a permanent leader continues.

photo courtesy of innovation cluster peterborough and the kawarthas.

The board has appointed current Chairperson Nicole Stephenson, J.D., LL.M., as interim CEO to provide seamless leadership continuity and operational management of the Innovation Cluster. Stephenson's appointment follows Michael Skinner and John Gillis' decision to resign after many years of outstanding leadership and contribution to the community.

Stephenson is the founder of Stephenson Law Group, with over 15 years of Canadian capital markets experience. Before founding the group, Nicole spent over twelve years at the Ontario Securities Commission, a Canadian stock exchange and in private practice at a corporate and securities law boutique.

Stephenson has been a Board Director since May 2019, was appointed Executive Chair in May 2021. She has also served as a knowledge partner of the Innovation Cluster since 2017.

“We're fortunate to have an experienced and highly capable operational team with which the board will invest and partner. I look forward to working closely with them as we recruit a new Chief Executive Officer,” said Stephenson.

She will serve as interim CEO for up to six months, with Bill Davie, current Vice Chair of the Innovation Cluster, stepping in to serve as Acting Chairperson of the Board for the same period of time.  

The board continues to conduct the CEO search.

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Trent University Business Student Wins Pitch IT! Entrepreneurial Competition Title and $2,000 Prize

Trent University business student Safiya Khaki wins Pitch IT! Student Entrepreneurial Competition with her business pitch through the Innovation Cluster’s FastStart Program.

Safiya Khaki is a Trent business student, specializing in finance. Photo courtesy of The Innovation Cluster.

Five finalists from Fleming College and Trent University pitched their innovative business ideas to a panel of local business professionals on Nov. 9 for the chance to win the title of Best Pitch and a $2,000 cash prize.

Khaki impressed the judges with the pitch of her business idea “BioStraw,” plant-based fiber beverage straws that are strong, biodegradable and do not dissolve and become soggy in your drink.

Winning a $1,000 prize and claiming the second place title is Fleming College student Sneha Pradeep, who is currently enrolled in the Wireless Information Networking (WIN) program.

Pradeep pitched her business idea Adjus, a social platform connecting users to a variety of cultural cuisine, recipes, clothing, events and more, offering a sense of familiarity and a greater sense of community to newcomers of Canada.

“Thank you to all the students, judges, and community members for getting involved in this great event,” said Lindsey Irwin, manager of the FastStart Program. “These students brought their A-game, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish in the future.”

The event was held at the Trent Student Centre (Symons Campus) through the Innovation Cluster’s FastStart Program. The program is designed to assist young entrepreneurs in their business plans, helping them to navigate the economy and bring their products and services to market.

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Innovation Cluster Announces Resignation of CEO and President

The Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas announces CEO Michael Skinner and president John Gillis have resigned, departing from the organization by the end of the year.

Photo courtesy of The Innovation Cluster.

Skinner joined the Innovation Cluster’s Board of Directors in 2012. In 2016, he became the CEO of the Innovation Cluster and under his leadership the organization expanded to its 10,000 square foot location in downtown Peterborough, which included incubation and accelerator services. Gillis joined the Innovation Cluster in 2017, introduced an H2O Makerspace to the Organization which gave clients access to over 30 pieces of water testing equipment.

Over the last five years they are said to have led the Innovation Cluster to create an economic impact of $54 million, create nearly 900 jobs, and support more than 300 companies to launch, grow and scale.

“The Innovation Cluster has always been a labour of love and our passion for supporting business growth and entrepreneurship in our community will not end with our departure. We look forward to staying connected with the people who have made our time at the Innovation Cluster unforgettable. We are excited to see the introduction of fresh ideas to the Organization under new leadership,” say Skinner and Gillis in a statement.  

The two entrepreneurs will reportedly continue working together after their departure from the Innovation Cluster, and will be announcing the launch of their new business venture in the new year.

The Innovation Cluster board of directors are currently seeking applicants for a new CEO.

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Innovation Cluster Welcomes New Members To Board Of Directors

Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas has welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors; Christine Crandell, Jason Wight, and Charlie Atkinson.

Charlie Atkinson, Jason Wight and Christine Crandell. Photos courtesy of Innovation Cluster.

The Innovation Cluster began searching for qualified new professionals to join the Board earlier this year, ultimately choosing Crandell, Wight, and Atkinson based on their varying expertise, service to the community, and personal experiences.

All new members will contribute in bringing greater advancement, job opportunities, and growth to Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

“We could not be happier to welcome three such exceptional people to our Board. Every person brings rich expertise and varying perspectives that will enhance the Board’s ability to support the Innovation Cluster’s goals and strategies, ultimately benefiting local entrepreneurism and our community,” said Michael Skinner, Innovation Cluster CEO.

Crandell is the President of NBS Consulting Group, Inc. (d/b/a New Business Strategies), a global customer experience and strategy consultancy. She is a recognized expert in customer experience, strategic planning, and digital transformation serving Fortune 1000 and growth stage companies worldwide. Christine has been an advisor to companies such as Coupa (NASDAQ: COUP) and Social Dynamx, and has led M&A due diligence for Good Technologies/Blackberry.

Wight is the Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President of Digital Innovation at Ontario Power Generation (“OPG”) as well as the Founder of ‘X-LAB.’, an innovation accelerator that fosters creative thinking across OPG, develops new revenue streams, and drives efficiency improvements. As an Engineer in Physics with great leadership abilities, Wight has held a variety of leadership positions over his tenure with OPG which led to his current role as Chief Information Officer where he advances technological solutions within OPG’s fleet and within the overall nuclear industry.

Atkinson has over 40 years of experience building teams, growing businesses, merging companies, optimizing P&L’s, restructuring, and more for a variety of corporations such as Xerox, Kodak, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise where he retired in 2017. A year after retirement, Atkinson founded his new consultancy, The Winning Practice, which provides results-inspired strategic excellence focusing on four key areas: people, partnerships, productivity and profitability. Atkinson is also on the National Board of Directors for ITAC (Information Technology Association of Canada).

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Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas Welcomes First International Clients To Peterborough

Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas announced on Tuesday that it has welcomed its first international clients to Peterborough since launching its government-accredited STARTup Visa Program (SUV) in February 2021.

Dmitriy Sevostyanov and Laura Sevostyanova enjoy a poutine at Rileys.

Dmitriy Sevostyanov and Laura Sevostyanova, an entrepreneurial duo from Kazakhstan, arrived in Peterborough last week.

They came to begin the next phase of SUV, which has a mission to provide innovative startup business mentorship and programming to immigrant entrepreneurs so they may successfully relocate to Peterborough and the Kawarthas to grow sustainable businesses, create jobs, and become an active contributor in the community.

Before arriving in Canada, the duo participated in an initial 3-month virtual accelerator program and a formal review process by the Innovation Cluster. After successfully completing both, the Kazakhstani team was granted a Letter of Support which helped them immigrate to begin their Canadian entrepreneurial journey.

Now, Dmitriy and Laura have begun SUV’s next phase — a 12-month, in-person business incubation program facilitated from the Innovation Cluster’s downtown hub. Over the next year, they will gain knowledge, skills, mentorship, and networking opportunities to prepare them for business success and the ability to compete on a global scale.

“Canada was our top choice due to Canadians’ large ecological consciousness and the support programs available to startups,” said Dmitriy. “Among all Startup Visa Programs offered in Canada, the Innovation Cluster’s SUV program caught our attention due to its ideal location and its expertise with the cleantech and agtech sectors.”

Dmitriy and Laura’s established business, ReGreen, specializes in producing 100% recyclable eco-bags using spunbond nonwoven fabric. The material is breathable, durable, and lightweight with the ability to decompose in less than one year without emitting any harmful chemicals. They have been manufacturing eco-bags in Kazakhstan since 2015.

Since launching SUV in February 2021, the program has run three cohorts per year, has accepted 47 client companies to-date, and 40 companies have received Letters of Support and are awaiting additional government documents so they can join Dmitriy and Laura in Peterborough.

For more information on the STARTup Visa Program, visit https://www.innovationcluster.ca/startupvisa/.

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Mike Dalliday Launches Redesigned Pilates On Demand Website To Honour Late Wife’s Entrepreneurial Vision

Pilates on Demand, an online platform offering Pilates, Yoga, Barre and Meditation classes has launched a redesigned website with upgraded member features to honour the vision and legacy of the company’s founder and former CEO, Jess Dalliday announced on Tuesday.

Jess Dalliday with her daughter. Photo courtesy of Innovation Cluster.

At the young age of 32, Dalliday suddenly and tragically passed away during childbirth in April 2021 along with newborn daughter, Angeline.

Her passing left husband Mike, 2-year old daughter, family, friends, and the Peterborough community completely devastated and in shock. Jess was fiercely passionate about changing the fitness landscape to be an inclusive, accepting space, and was dedicated to defying fitness industry norms that suggest exercise is a way to change your body, instead of loving your body right now.

Mike Dalliday with daughter. Photo courtesy of Innovation Cluster.

Jess’ husband Mike is honouring his late wife’s vision by becoming the CEO of Pilates on Demand, stepping away from his career as a Physician Assistant. With no entrepreneurial experience taking over Jess’ successful business seemed daunting, but through the Innovation Cluster’s mentorship and expertise Mike has been able to drive Jess’ vision forward, which most recently has involved the launch of a redesigned website and platform.

“We are beyond excited to introduce this all-new experience to our members and to anyone new to our service,” said Mike. “Since losing Jess last spring we’ve been working hard to ensure her legacy is carried forward. We continue to pride ourselves on being an online exercise platform for everyone. We don’t focus on pounds, inches or appearance. Our goal is for our members to feel comfortable and confident in the body they have right now, and we really feel our new design and user experience will help us and our members achieve that goal.”

Pilates on Demand provides hundreds of convenient and safe exercise classes that members can do anywhere, anytime, and at any skill level.

"During the times of the pandemic, Pilates on Demand has seen exponential growth and has been able to pivot their business to focus on the growing demand for virtual exercise,” said President of the Innovation Cluster, John Gillis. “With the launch of the new website, new and existing members will be able to experience a new and convenient way to exercise. POD is not only a place to exercise but also a place to be part of a strong community."

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Local Tech Company Launches Virtual Reality Platform For Users To Explore Global, Historical & Archaeological Sites

Peterborough-based tech company AVROD have officially launched their virtual reality (VR) platform for users to explore global, historical and archaeological sites for free on Viveport, Steam, and SideQuest platforms.

The platform is dedicated to digitizing and sharing the world's archaeological and cultural heritage sites for study and exploration, and is pivoting as a Covid-19 solution to add remote travel and tourism.

AVROD founder Jeremy Brooks using the platform

Users all over the world are now able to virtually travel to 40 real-world, photorealistic locations within the United States, France, Mexico, England, Portugal, Australia, Egypt, Spain, Canada, Scotland, Italy, Sweden, Greece, Japan, India, Belize, Mongolia and Guatemala.

Users can access different locations by using a headset and their preferred platform to experience and interact with the world around them. In addition to Steam, Viveport, and SideQuest, it will be launching soon on the Oculus Store and for Oculus Quest VR headsets.

Jeremy Brooks started AVROD with the help of the Innovation Cluster and its Virtual and Augmented Reality Zone while an archaeology student at Trent University, and his timing couldn’t be more right for a platform like this.

According to Globe Newswire, the augmented and virtual reality market is expected to see an overwhelming growth of over $2 billion dollars by 2027. The current pandemic supports this growth, as industries start to turn virtual. Museums and other tourist attractions now offer virtual tours, and companies continue to look for ways to give customers an out-of-home experience.  

Brooks and AVROD’s Lead Developer, Manan Patel, have been working hard to bring AVROD to life.

 “Our team of students and young professionals, many of whom are from the Peterborough and Kawarthas area, have achieved incredible milestones to launch Canadian-built AVROD globally—including completely developing and launching AVROD remotely during the lockdown,” says Brooks.  

“We are expecting a global demand for our platform as people look to travel, explore, learn, and collaborate remotely and safely,” he adds. “As the company grows, we will be looking to create new jobs, starting here in Peterborough.”

“The launch for AVROD is perfectly positioned as we deal with the global pandemic and a significant worldwide reduction in travel,” says Michael Skinner, CEO of the Innovation Cluster.

“While people are asked to stay indoors, AVROD can provide an alternative experience for people who want to continue to experience the world with this at-home immersive experience. As virtual reality becomes more and more accessible, AVROD is very well aligned to benefit from the endless possibilities of this industry.” 

 

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