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Briefs
Good to Grow
Photo: Sandor Fizli NS economy blooming with economic opportunity A NEW WALL (shown above) in Dartmouth resource sector that we need to figure out.” Stephen Hartlen, head of Innovacorp, is looks a lot like an old-fashioned property Technology companies like Research in excited about Nova Scotia’s tech future. hedge. Green shoots poke out from a layer of Motion, the BlackBerry giant, already have a Innovacorp handles the province’s Nova sod and 7,000 plants, berries and flowers strong Halifax presence. Up-and-comers like Scotia First Fund to support emerging busi- combine to create a sensational seasonal Norex, which recently started building apps nesses in the life-sciences and technology display of al fresco art. The wall is alive, for Google from its Bayers Lake Business Park sector. Innovacorp’s High Performance Canada’s first living wall east of Vancouver. headquarters, are poised to take advantage of Incubation business model focuses on growing It’s joined by a green roof and other environ- Nova Scotia’s low operating costs and talented entrepreneurial ideas by providing infrastruc- mental innovations at the Nova Scotia pool of university graduates. ture, mentoring and investment. Community College’s Centre for the Built Connecting it all are people like Tim Burke “We’re seeing a lot of interesting opportu- Environment. Consider it the new Ivy League. and Stephen Hankinson, the brains behind nities… medical-technology devices coming “Inspire” literally means to “breathe in” Tether. Tether is a downloadable application out of the universities, out of the hospitals,” he and the living wall encourages Nova Scotians that lets SmartPhone users access their phone’s says. “It’s not going to replace the size of the to take a deep breath and peer into a clean, data plan via their computer, meaning you Eastern Canadian navy or the hospitals, but green, technologically advanced future. It have free wireless access anywhere you have there’s enough opportunities percolating out seems a good metaphor for the future of Nova cellphone coverage. The idea for Tether came of the universities and hospitals that I think Scotia’s economy. in 2008, when Burke got his first BlackBerry. you’ll see a fairly stable and growing medical- Stephen Lund, president of Nova Scotia He now had internet access almost anywhere, technologies industry,” Hartlen says. Business Inc., sees seeds today that could but some jobs require a laptop and he was fed A key part of that will be improving access flower tomorrow, like the recent arrival of the up with paying for his BlackBerry and paying to capital. Businesses need talented people and South Korean manufacturing giant Daewoo again to access the internet in cafes and talented people want competitive salaries and Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering in airports. He saw the problem and Hankinson long-term prospects. If a new company has Pictou County. With the Province’s help, it’s came up with a solution. Tether launched in only 12 months of capital, it’s going to turning the old TrentonWorks railway cart March 2009 and has sold tens of thousands of struggle to attract workers. Such companies manufacturing plant into a factory that will copies in more than 100 countries. Recently wind up in perpetual fundraising mode and it’s build wind turbine towers and blades. It will back from a major RIM conference in difficult to move forward. Hartlen says the eventually create 400 jobs in the area and Orlando, Florida, Burke says they’ve just province needs to attract the attention of Daewoo officials told reporters in March started tapping an immense global market. venture capitalists to shore up its economic 2010 that it intends to build offshore oil and “Tether is a perfect example of what the future. “We have some, but we don’t have gas platforms in Trenton. It’s also looking at opportunity is (here) in the IT sector. There is enough,” he says. tidal turbines. nothing to manufacture. We sell directly, Back at NSCC, faculty and students are “We have to pick some key sectors that we online, 24/7. Ninety-nine point nine per cent busy planning for that future. Don Bureaux, can be world leaders in and make sure we put of our users have no idea where Halifax is, NSCC’s acting president, predicts that trades- our efforts behind that,” Lund says. “We and nor do they care,” Burke says. “It’s an people of the future will blend ecology and could be a world-class financial centre. We amazing opportunity, business-wise. With e- technology, putting sustainability at the core could be a centre for aerospace and defence commerce and the world wide web, you really of almost everything. “The Centre for the expertise, IT, gaming, clean-tech, niches in the don’t have to be anywhere else to make a huge Built Environment will play a key role, manufacturing sector. We also have a whole mark.” looking at how to make residential and
8 | Atlantic Business Magazine | November/December 2010 V21N6 2010:V20N3 2009 10/27/10 9:53 AM Page 9
Taking Care of Beezness Moncton chef saving bees, making honey for hotel guests THERE’S A BUZZ these days around the Delta Beauséjour in Moncton. For starters, Chef Stefan Mueller and his culinary team feature a seasonal 100 Mile Menu in the Windjammer – an elegant four diamond restaurant. Impressed with the food selection and quality available in the region, Mueller jumped on the local bandwagon last year and successfully introduced the 100 Mile Menu. It features everything from locally raised boar, buffalo and wild rice to award-winning cheeses. But this year he went a step further. On the rooftop of the hotel there’s a new herb garden, replete with a bee hive. “The bee population is declining,” says Chef. “This is one way we can help. And the bees are happy with all the wildflowers next to the river.” The honey will be used in the Windjammer and will also be offered as welcome gifts for special guests. By Sandra Phinney
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Briefs
Best Big Idea Innovative Halifax entrepreneur wins $10,000 A PRODUCT that allows businesses to safely to secure financing. With the prize money, he share confidential documents electronically says he will be able to complete the project has won Nova Scotia’s first ever Best Big Idea and have it market ready in just a few Competition. Milan Vrekic, owner of Mojo months. Labs, was awarded $10,000 after judges The system encrypts data and provides the determined his TitanFile system was the best end-user with a digital key. The owner of the entrepreneurial idea of 118 submitted. information is notified when the file has been The competition was launched last August opened. After the information has been by the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council in viewed, both the owner and the end user have partnership with the Department of the option of deleting the information Community Services, Affirmative Industries completely. and the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Other finalists in the competition were Network. It was designed to showcase the Responsible Solutions Safety Consultant, an province’s best entrepreneurial ideas, particu- Upper Sackville firm developing safety Scotia Co-operative Council, says the number larly encouraging entries from women, systems for the construction industry; and of entries exceeded expectations, proving the persons with disabilities, young people and Cyber, a Lunenburg firm working with the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in immigrants. Truro Police Department to develop an online Nova Scotia. While only Mojo Labs was the Vrekic (shown right), a Serbian immigrant interactive video to educate young people on overall winner, Ms. Kelderman said the Co- employed in the computer services industry the dangers of internet activity and cyber- op Council is committed to following up with until setting out on his own, says his effort to bullying. all 118 entrants and work with them to move develop TitanFile stalled after he was unable Dianne Kelderman, CEO of the Nova their business ideas forward.
Upward Trend Increased marketing, historic location credited for rising enro lment ACCORDING TO the Association of Atlantic Universities, chair, AAU, said in a published statement that regional regional universities experienced rising enrolments in demographics continue to be a challenge. “Our universities graduate and undergraduate programs. Fourteen of the must continue to work hard at being nationally and AAU’s 17 member institutions reported increases ranging internationally competitive, by doing so we provide from 0.8 to 6.3 per cent. outstanding learning environments for our students and a While the trend is encouraging, Dr. Robert Campbell, prosperous economic future for Atlantic Canada and its president, Mount Allison University (Sackville, NB) and communities.”
Association Of Atlantic Universities 2010-2011 Preliminary Survey Of Enrolments Full-time Plus Part-time Enrolment UNDERGRADUATE GRADUATE TOTAL INSTITUTION 1/10/09 1/10/10 % change 1/10/09 1/10/10 % change 1/10/09 1/10/10 % change Memorial University 15,302 15,454 1.0 2,870 3,118 8.6 18,172 18,572 2.2
Acadia University 3,109 3,221 3.6 512 549 7.2 3,621 3,770 4.1 A.S.T. 0 0 0.0 125 133 6.4 125 133 0.4 Dalhousie University 12,270 12,936 5.4 3,700 3,777 2.1 15,970 16,713 4.7 Mt. St. Vincent 2,898 3,020 4.2 1,065 1,012 -5.0 3,963 4,032 1.7 N. S. Agricultural 825 879 6.5 79 82 3.8 904 961 6.3 NSCAD University 993 1,005 1.2 34 30 -11.8 1,027 1,035 0.8 Saint Mary's Univ. 6,701 6,847 2.2 580 586 1.0 7,281 7,433 2.1 St. Francis Xavier 4,569 4,507 -1.4 353 364 3.1 4,922 4,871 -1.0 Cape Breton University 2,933 2,921 -0.4 174 181 4.0 3,107 3,102 -0.2 U. of King's College 1,153 1,206 4.6 0 0 0.0 1,153 1,206 4.6 U. Ste. Anne 516 532 3.1 70 64 -8.6 586 596 1.7 Total - Nova Scotia 35,967 37,074 3.1 6,692 6,778 1.3 42,659 43,852 2.8
Mount Allison Univ. 2,475 2,601 5.1 11 13 18.2 2,486 2,614 5.1 St. Thomas Univ. 2,579 2,610 1.2 0 0 0.0 2,579 2,610 1.2 U. de Moncton 5,362 5,256 -2.0 857 798 -6.9 6,219 6,054 -2.7 Univ. of New Brunswick 9,246 9,241 -0.1 1,341 1,428 6.5 10,587 10,669 0.8 Total - New Brunswick 19,662 19,708 0.2 2,209 2,239 1.4 21,871 21,947 0.3
U.P.E.I. 4,152 4,276 3.0 283 324 14.5 4,435 4,600 3.7
TOTAL-ATLANTIC 75,083 76,512 1.9 12,054 12,459 3.4 87,137 88,971 2.1
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Making the ordinary look EXTRAORDINARY! Turning Up the Heat Paul Daly PEI company tests high-pressure Photography food processor • Photo Journalism THANKS TO $25,000 from the Innovation • Public Relations PEI Pilot Fund, Charlottetown Metal • Corporate Photography Products (CMP) has completed initial • Industry testing of their prototype high-pressure • Advertising steam food processor. • Fashion The funding, as well as a partnership with the Food Technology Centre, allowed CMP • Stock Photography to conduct processing trials using their St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador | tel. 709.687.0780 | www.pauldaly.net steam processor prototype. The Centre tested a variety of fruits, vegetables and seafood to assess the performance and suit- ability of the processor for different food types. The types of processing procedures included in these tests were peeling, blanching and cooking shellfish, and canning seafood meat. The tests concluded that the prototype steam processor displayed clear advantages in peeling fruits and vegetables, such as potatoes and apples, as well as in cooking various seafood including shrimp and mussels. “With the help of Innovation PEI and the Food Technology Centre, we were able to conduct early stage, third party testing on our steam processor and obtain the data we needed to move to commercial scale produc- tion,” said Steve Kelley, president of Charlottetown Metal Products. “The purpose of the Pilot Fund is to provide the seed capital our companies need to prove the viability of their products and test high-risk ideas,” says Minister Allan Campbell, Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning. “I am pleased to see positive results coming from this program and that our local companies are continuing to develop highly innovative products. Charlottetown Metal Products has an excel- lent track record in designing food processing equipment and I hope they will have continued success with their steam processor.”
Innovation and Advanced Learning minister Allan Campbell (left) and CMP president Steve Kelley (right) discuss CMP’s newly developed processing equipment. Photo credit: Brian Simpson.
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Briefs
Off the Ground Province allocates $5-million for Air Access Strategy
THE GOVERNMENT of Newfoundland and partner with airport authorities to actively To help implement and oversee Taking Labrador has released a five-year plan, promote their capabilities and the province Flight, a director of Air Access will be hired Taking Flight, with the stated intention of directly to airlines. The strategy also puts (a search is underway). This person will also enhancing “Newfoundland and Labrador’s emphasis on continuing to brand and market be responsible for industry research and air transportation access by working collabo- Newfoundland and Labrador as a destina- support, administering the Air Access ratively with airports and other partners in tion of choice for business and tourism. Development Program, providing advice to supporting their efforts to attract new flights A key component of Taking Flight is the provincial government on air access and spur demand”. the establishment of a new Air Access related issues and regularly reporting on the “Newfoundland and Labrador continues Development Program. More than progress of the strategy. to be a hub of economic activity and a $4-million will be made available to airlines “Air transportation is a cornerstone to magnet for investment and people, and with and the province’s airports to support busi- economic and business development in growth comes greater demand for trans- ness development and route promotion activ- Newfoundland and Labrador and we are portation access,” said Ross Wiseman, ities. A private industry advisory committee pleased to see the government supporting minister of Business in a published statement. consisting of representatives of regional the further development of air service,” “Through this Air Access Strategy, we are airports, business associations and other stated Keith Collins, president of Atlantic demonstrating a long-term commitment to groups will be established to provide ongoing Canada Airports Association and CEO of enhancing air access, with a vision of input into implementation of the strategy as the St. John’s International Airport, in providing more people with more choice for part of a focused, coordinated approach to response to the announcement. “Aviation is air travel to, from and within Newfoundland air access development. of vital importance to business, tourism and and Labrador.” trade and the cost competitiveness of our To help get the message out that airports in aviation sector is key to any successful Newfoundland and Labrador are open for strategy.” business, the provincial government will
FYI David H. Starr named Chief Information Officer, Atlantic Lottery Jeff Forbes,Vice President, Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette, is pleased to have assisted Atlantic Lottery with the appointment of David Starr as Chief Information Officer (CIO). Prior to joining Atlantic Lottery, David was CIO of 3Com, the ITT Corporation including Caesar’s Casinos and Reader’s Digest and began his career as a management consultant with Price Waterhouse. He completed his graduate work at the Harvard Business School and advised two American Presidents. David has moved from Honolulu and is excited to call Moncton his new home.
“I am pleased to have David on our team,” said Michelle Carinci,Atlantic Lottery’s President and CEO.“His credentials as a senior information technology executive, will contribute inventiveness and vision to a corporation that is determined to be the best at what it does.”
Please join us in congratulating David and welcoming him to Atlantic Lottery.
Jeff Forbes,Vice President [email protected] 902.424.1126 www.kbrs.ca Toronto Montreal Calgary Halifax Moncton St.John’s
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Are You at Risk? Surv ey says 69 per cent of Canadian small businesses saw some kind of cyber attack last year
THE BUSINESS Development Bank of Canada’s 2010 SMB survey shows that while Canadian businesses rank well above the interna- tional average when it comes to the security of their electronic infor- mation, security should still be a significant concern. Well over half of those surveyed say they experienced some form of cyber attack in 2009.
What can you do? EDUCATE EMPLOYEES Develop Internet security guidelines and educate employees about Internet safety, security, and the latest threats. Part of the training should focus on the importance of regularly changing passwords and pro- tecting mobile devices.
SAFEGUARD IMPORTANT BUSINESS INFORMATION Businesses are facing increased risks to their confidential information so safe- guarding this data is critical. One data breach could mean financial ruin for an SMB. Implement a complete protection solution to ensure proprietary informa- tion—whether it’s credit card informa- tion, customer data or employee records—is safe.
IMPLEMENT AN EFFECTIVE BACKUP AND RECOVERY PLAN Protecting information is more than im- plementing an antivirus solution. Backup and recovery is a critical component of complete information protection to keep businesses’ desktops, servers and applica- tions running smoothly in case of disrup- tion—whether it’s a flood, an earthquake, a virus or a system failure. One outage could mean customer dissatisfaction and costly downtime, which could be cata- strophic to the business.
SECURE EMAIL AND WEB ASSETS Select a mail and Web security solution that can help mitigate spam and email threats. Spammers and phishers will use current events and social engineering tac- tics to get users to give up personal infor- mation such as credit card and banking information. This will protect sensitive in- formation and allow businesses to spend more time on day-to-day activities. Source: Symantec Online extras: atlanticbusinessmagazine.com | 13