Communitech Apps Factory - help to build your app

Are you a not for profit with a great idea to engage with your audience via a mobile device? Well the Apps Factory may be the ideal option for you.

A team of developers led by Rob Drimmie, will create an early version of your mobile application. You can then use this prototype to demonstrate the idea to generate interest and further funding for the project. They are also happy to recommend local companies you can work with to continue to develop the app or you can take the project in-house to finish the work. Depending on your situation they will continue to guide you through the process of building a full fledged app.

They are currently taking applications for this term (they are open to new ideas until June 15th); you can get started here - submit a proposal. You must be able to describe the application you have in mind for your business and the problem that it addresses. Applications must be market-driven, and you should be able to define how you envision this application impacting your company, wealth creation or job growth.

Another great initiative located in the Hub.

Who is in the Hubbub? - A list of all who are in the Communitech Digital Media Hub

17 Muscles - Cognitive, Customized, web based training software

Will Pwn for Food - a whole blue ocean of competitive fun to the world
 

Allerta - your smart phone on your wrist

Willet - Web app monitization

Beyond One Eighty - Advanced security and intelligence platforms

Suncurve - ad delivery in digital media environments

Canadian Cloud Computing- they are building the Canadian Cloud

Notewagon- NoteWagon is a peer-to-peer learning platform that connects university students together in a marketplace for lecture notes and various student-generated revision materials.

Redwoods- content production company

Cyborg Trading Systems - Custom trading solutions for institutions

Kailog- Health collaboration - wearable information devices to alert medical teams of changing patient conditions

MappedIn - indoor mapping framework used by malls, museums, conference centers and various other public spaces

 

Infinidy Corp - amazing games for your iphone

iExperienceIT - a location-based life logging application that helps users log and share their experiences with friends and family

Footloose Games - adult gaming for the child at heart and the developers of Munchies Lunch

GooseChase - team building through scavenger hunts

Formulating Change- raising charitable donations through credit card transactions

Bookneto - making education a more social and open experience

Balute - making music digitally

Homick Labs - service for selling digital content, subscriptions and virtual goods within mobile applications

MediaExpertSearch - online directory for journalist looking for experts

UME Golf - a free social community for golfers

Loyalty Match - customizable loyalty program platforms

Taeros-  TekTire - tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) for fleets

Skoonowi - Leading Provider of Social Networks for the Classroom

Modevation Media - this is the sweetest team of video producers on the face of the planet - specialize in dynamic video production and event videography for organizations and companies across Ontario

Now Media - true local directories and online community news media

Well.ca - Canada's online health, beauty and skin care store that offers free shipping 

Philanthrokidz - building the coolest place for tweens on the internet 

Communitech 

Canadian Digital Media Network

Miller Thomson 

BMO 

Wildeboer Dellelce

WLU - Wilfrid Laurier University

AON- Insurance products and services for companies and consumers throughout Canada

Conestoga College

Deloitte

Gowlings

Ernst and Young

Christie Digital

Apps Factory

Accelerator Centre

Velocity

University of Waterloo

IRAP

RIM

OCE 

Open Text 

Grey

Hubbub is growing - Communitech Digital Media Hub to expand

The doors were just opened last fall but there is already a need to expand the space! The Hub currently occupies 30,000 square feet here at the Tannery and will expand to occupy another 12,000 square feet on the first floor of the Tannery by early 2012.

The expansion will accommodate more Peer2Peer program space, expanded strategic partner space, and more room for established companies.

Hubbub has an interesting mix of tenants:

- 28 start-up companies – and growing

- 5 leading tech multi-nationals

- 14 innovation partners, including legal, advertising and accounting firms

- 3 post-secondary institutions: Conestoga College, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo

- provincial and federal government partners

I love this space because to me it represents what is at the heart of the uniqueness of this community – collaboration. In a recent conversation with Communitech EOR Lillian Bass, she shared a story about how Toronto startups are coming to the region because of this unique spirit. As a community we are developing a reputation not only as a technology centre but a centre for collaboration and support of growth and development. We work together to help all be better and stronger and smarter. To me that is really exciting.

Waterloo Tech TV - First episode of Tech Pulse

Waterloo Tech TV is a fabulous resource for anyone who wants to know more about what is happening with technology in Waterloo Region. As a visual thinker, I love using video to help me better understand things. As a multitasker, video allows me to listen while I check email. With video content online I can stop and start the story when I hear something I should focus on visually.




Modevation Media is a startup at the Hub and Chris Meidell has a tremendous presence there, helping many other tenants who are in need of professional quality video support. His team is at all Communitech events where they capture presentations and then share with those who were unable to attend through Waterloo Tech TV.

Presidential visit

Yesterday was a jam packed day for Grey at the Hub, as Grey Canada President Ann Nurock joined me in a number of meetings. I was delighted to have the opportunity to spend the day with Ann as she is quite busy traveling between Grey Canada offices in Toronto, Vancouver and our affiliate office in Montreal plus travels to Grey Group headquarters in New York ... and then in two weeks she heads to South Africa, her home land.

Ann has been a very strong supporter of the excitement of the Communitech Hub. As the head of Toronto agency she is uniquely embracing possibilities outside of the GTA and investing in opportunities that are within the Waterloo Region. Our role as a marketing service provider to the Startups here at the Hub is exciting for everyone at Grey because it is a chance to work with companies who may be shaping our future.

After our day of meetings, Ann and I hosted a small group of business women for dinner and drinks. Ann continually commented about how much fun we Waterloo Region Ladies are; how friendly and keen we are to share experiences, laughs and learnings. She says this region is amazing for its energy and tremendous spirit. I agree and feel very fortunate to call it home.

Watch for a future blog story with an inside scope about Ann's South African connections here at the Hub. A story that will demonstrate that it is truly a small world.

Government is in the Hub

Glen Murray, the Minister of Research and Innovation was in the building Friday to announce that Communitech and the Accelerator Centre are joining the province’s new Ontario Network of Excellence (ONE). As part of ONE they will receive annual funding of $750,000. The money will be used to help entrepreneurs bring new ideas to market and gain access to expertise locally and across the province through the network. 

I love these announcements because they signify another great opportunity for the future of this community. And things like this would not happen without the amazing efforts and initiatives of both Communitech and the Accelerator Centre. 

 

 

I was surprised at how long it took for this story to hit Google News. Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation office have not issued a formal release, that I can find. I first got the released details via MPP John Milloy's amazing office. They share a great update every week via an enewsletter that I recommend you sign up for. 

You can get more details here on the Communitech Site and The Record posted a story.

The minister visited with the 7Cubed project at the University of Waterloo VeloCity Mobile and Media Incubator here at the hub. This group wrapped up their adventures on Friday. Be sure to check out the 7 apps they produced. 

Thank you to Jesse Rodgers for his photos from the event. I am stealing from his twitpix downloads.