As a self-declared nerd, I admit to being fond of the “adults-who-go-back-to-school” film category. This includes movies such as Billy Madison, Never Been Kissed, 21 Jump Street, and so on. I suspect that one of the reasons for the appeal of these films, at least for some of us, is the fantasy of having the…
An Ontario-based technology company, Rockport Networks, has received funding from the federal government to develop Networking at the Edge (NATE). The $49.9M project will create software-enabled network systems for data storage, making these systems more energy efficient, as well as faster and more secure. Rockport Networks, located in Ottawa and founded in 2012, specializes in…
BioConnect, an Ontario biometrics company, has received millions of dollars in funding from the Federal Development Agency of Ontario through the agency’s Business Scale-Up & Productivity Program (BSP). The funding will support multiple expansion projects at BioConnect, including commercializing new biometric technology and growing in new export markets. Founded in 2010, BioConnect provides biometric access…
Forty-four projects have received funding for their multi-platform content and digital media projects. Projects were awarded under three funding programs offered by the Canada Media Fund (CMF): the Experimental Stream – Innovation Program, which will support 10 digital media projects; the Aboriginal Program, which will fund 10 documentaries, four children’s and youth programs, and three…
Many of the businesses that Mentor Works meets have at least a general idea of the projects that they would like to complete over the next year or two—these businesses might be planning to attend a few trade shows, further develop software, or implement new production equipment, for example. Despite their careful planning, however, many…
Gerdau Ameristeel, a major producer of long steel in the Americas and one of the world’s largest suppliers of special steel, has been awarded funding from the federal government to complete facility upgrades at its locations in Whitby and Cambridge, Ontario, and to help increase the organization’s global competitiveness. Gerdau Ameristeel will receive $20 million…
Multi-Health Systems Inc. (MHS), a leading publisher of scientifically validated assessments, has been awarded research and development funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). For more than 30 years, MHS has served clients in educational, clinical, corporate, public safety, government, military, pharmaceutical, and research settings. Its leading products…
The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) recently announced nearly $6.3M in funding to create a new network that will help agri-businesses scale up. The funding was awarded to Bioenterprise Corporation, a national, non-profit commercialization accelerator that supports the growth of Canada’s agri-tech industries. Bioenterprise assists businesses at all stages through advisory…
How would your team describe your leadership? What words would they use? Supporter? Motivator? Director? Servant? The concept of a servant-leader, while it seems like an oxymoron, is straightforward; servant-leaders encourage the development of their teams and prioritize the needs of others and avoid focusing on their own control and personal success. The concept of…
Recently, my office took part in a training session that used theatrical improv to help develop business communication skills. Throughout the course of the day, as we performed various verbal exercises in groups, it became clear that some of us relished the chance to have all eyes upon us, while others found it unsettling. Either…