Big Rig Brewery Coming to the Kanata Research Park This Fall!

KanataThe Networker September 2014

BIG RIG BREWERY COMING TO THE KANATA RESEARCH PARK THIS FALL!

www.kanatanorthbia.ca [email protected] THE KANATA NETWORKER I CONTENTS

Big Rig Brewery coming to the Kanata Research Park this fall!...... 2

What’s New What’s Next...... 3

Fall is in the air. With the warm summer months now a Clariti Group Inc.: Helping individuals and distant memory, September brings new possibilities. teams acheive clearly great careers...... 4 We’ve been keeping very busy here at the Kanata North BIA. You may have noticed our new Kanata North BIA Axis Ottawa 2014 bringing together the best sign on March Road, or perhaps you’ve joined us in of local innovators & global investors...... 6 August for lunch at our new Community Hub, or for a run at our lunchtime Run-Walk Club. I may have also been An inside look at The Children’s Place, by your office to discuss an issue or challenge your business is facing. and their back-to-school tips...... 8 I’m happy to report that the summer was very productive. Entrepreneur Spotlight – Alec Main, We provided assistance to WindRiver with their hiring CEO Graphite Software...... 11 needs this last month, and helped make key introductions for Cyphercor. We are actively assisting local companies. COM DEV International remains steadfast in This month, our regular networking event returns on their reputation for excellence as they September 24th 5-7pm at The Marshes. We are also approach ten years located in Kanata...... 12 thrilled to feature the Managing Director of L-SPARK, Leo Lax, in this month’s issue, where he provides insight into the new accelerator and incubator for enterprise Loggers with WiFi capability among RBR’s software entrepreneurs in the region. new products at this month’s Oceans ‘14 Trade Show...... We will also continue on with our Lunch Party at 14 the Community Hub on Legget Drive 11:30-1:30 on Wednesdays, as long as the weather holds out. Watch Q&A Corner – Jennifer McAndrew...... 16 social media for updates on this. I hope you enjoy this issue of The Kanata Networker. New Incubator and Accelerator “L-SPARK” It is jam-packed with news from our Kanata business Launches – Brings together world class community. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out anytime. mentors and advisors to shape next-generation We are here to help. Enterprise Software entrepreneurs...... 19

Sincerely, Jenna Sudds Executive Director, Kanata North BIA

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Three Twenty Terry Fox Drive | Ottawa Ontario K2K 3L1 613.271.3370 | themarshesgolfclub.com /MarshesGolfClub @MarshesGolfClubt BIG RIG BREWERY COMING TO THE KANATA RESEARCH PARK THIS FALL!

By JS Communications Exciting news is brewing in the Kanata Research Park — Big Rig Brewery will be opening in the Park this fall! Big Rig’s main brewing facility will be a 16,000 square foot space at 103 Schneider Road. They will offer taste tours, beer by the glass, bottle and can, and specialty products available only in Kanata. Though the facility is not opening a full restaurant, there will be some light lunch options available. “We’ve run out of capacity at our other brewery – to expand sales we need a bigger facility. We looked for a location for about a year and we hit the dream spot here in Kanata,” says Big Rig Brewmaster Lon Ladell. “We’re happy to be moving into the neighbourhood and I think it’s going to be fun working with the local businesses.” Big Rig was founded in June 2012 by a team made up of Ladell, Angelis Koutsos, Pierre Cleroux, Jimmy Zourntos, and Chris Phillips of the Ottawa Senators. “Since the beginning, we have been focused on quality and consistency, Lon Ladell presents the Big Rig Gold tall cans at the Big Rig brewing facility. using the best ingredients possible to make the best beer possible,” says Ladell. “We even grow our own hops They have gathered critical success as “Winning the national award was from Chris Phillips’ farm in Manotick.” well, winning a great number of awards awesome – we were up against some Their current brewing location, in the short time since their founding. pretty stiff competition from out West attached to their restaurant on Iris and in Montréal,” says Ladell. “We In their first year of business, they Street, has fostered great success pride ourselves on brewing to the brought home multiple gold medals since its opening in 2012. highest standard and we will continue and the title of Best New Brewer in to raise the bar with our products.” “One of the best things since our Ontario from the Ontario Craft Brewing opening has been being embraced by Awards. The next year, they won nine The Big Rig Brewery location in the community – to the point where medals at the same awards, the most Kanata is expected to open by the we can open up a larger production of any microbrewery. end of September or early October. brewery only two years after opening, Make sure to stop by to welcome They also just recently won a gold and expand beer sales in LCBO our new neighbours into the Kanata medal for their Big Rig Black IPA locations throughout Ontario,” Research Park, and try a glass of their brew at the Canadian Craft Brewing says Ladell. award-winning brew. Awards, where they competed against 300 to 400 different brewers from across the country.

2 THE KANATA NETWORKER WHAT’S NEW WHAT’S NEXT

KANATA NORTH OUTDOOR COMMUNITY HUB TERRY MATTHEWS, BRUCE LAZENBY, AND DEBBIE WEINSTEIN TAKE THE ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE FOR ALS During the month of September, we will continue with our “Lunch in the Park” Wednesdays 11:30-1:30pm as long CANADA AT SEPTEMBER’S TECH TUESDAY as the weather cooperates. Stop by and check out what’s Bearing the shock of icy water at September’s Tech happening. Food trucks and entertainment – check our Tuesday at the Kanata Marshes were Sir Terry Matthews, website or twitter for updates. high-tech mogul and founder of Wesley Clover The Community Hub can also be booked for corporate International, Bruce Lazenby, President and CEO of Invest events by going to www.kanatanorthbia.ca. Ottawa, and Debbie Weinstein, Founding Partner of LaBarge Weinstein LLP. The Community Hub is brought to you by the Kanata North BIA, in partnership with Kanata Research Park. This “We accept the ALS Challenge and are pleased to support initiative aims to create a community space that local the cause. ALS is a very ugly illness that all of us should businesses and employees can enjoy at their leisure. do our best to help eliminate. The worldwide campaign that the ALS Ice Challenge has become is a great example of how the power of modern communications can be exploited for important causes like this. We are happy to play our part in supporting the research needed to put an end to this disease, and also in passing on the ALS Challenge to even more hi tech execs!” said Weinstein, Lazenby and Matthews in a joint statement. KANATA RACE DAY 2014 is presented by Richcraft on Sunday, September 28, 2014. 8:30am-12pm. 1km family walk/run, 5km run, Tot Trot, Rec Zone, and marketplace. All proceeds support the enhancement of the Richcraft Recreation Complex in Kanata. http://www.kanataraceday.ca/

KANATA NORTH NETWORKING EVENT September 24th 5-7pm, The Marshes Golf Course with guest speaker Leo Lax, Managing Director at L-SPARK.

LUMIERE ROUGE – BROOKSTREET SEPTEMBER 25TH

THE KANATA NETWORKER 3 CLARITI GROUP INC: HELPING INDIVIDUALS AND TEAMS ACHIEVE CLEARLY GREAT CAREERS

Clariti Group Inc. is a local career They call someone who demonstrates ACTIONABLE WORKSHOPS: A 21ST & leadership coaching firm born mastery over these six areas a CENTURY APPROACH TO DEVELOPING from a fundamental desire to help Salaried Entrepreneur – an individual 21ST CENTURY LEADERSHIP individuals and employers make who embraces innovation and change informed decisions around career and actively strives to provide an To help develop these skills and and leadership. Headed by local exceptional experience for clients and attitudes so you can engage and entrepreneurs, Tara Azulay and co-workers alike. These individuals are retain your top talent and drive your Kevin Barwin, Clariti offers an array your top performers and are the future business results, Clariti Group offers of services to employers including of your organization. Actionable Workshops. Leveraging outplacement support, HR consulting top insights from the world’s leading The 21st century is a time of fierce services, and leadership development business books, the workshops focus competition in the business world. Top workshops, in addition to one-on-one on action – on your team members employees have more options than career and leadership coaching not only learning the most cutting ever before and are actively looking for individuals. edge business theory, but actively for opportunities that allow them to putting those concepts into practice. Especially passionate about employee develop themselves, personally and They are a 21st Century approach to engagement and leadership professionally. Clients are looking developing 21st Century Leadership. development, Clariti has partnered for an exceptional experience from with Toronto-based Actionable Books the companies they interact with. To Each Actionable Workshop (and there – a movement that seeks to empower achieve this, you must actively build are over 40 available) is inspired by and connect like-minded managers an organizational culture that supports a leading business book. One core and business professionals to live your employees – a culture that concept from that book is taught and “actionable lives”. Actionable Books promotes engagement, collaboration explored through a discussion and has been travelling North America and innovation. series of exercises. A facilitator, or your since 2008, sitting down with leading own leader, facilitates the sessions, Not only are there particular skills and thinkers and best-selling authors, creating a perfect environment to attitudes required for success in the discussing the inherent challenges enrich each participant’s relationships 21st century, there’s also a certain of the 21st century work world, and with their fellow team members. order in which those skills need to be the resulting skills and attitudes now Teams grow stronger through the developed to maximize impact. Simply required by individuals and teams discussion and deeper understanding speaking, one needs to develop from who aspire to greatness. of their own dynamic, and better retain the “bottom up”’ when looking at the learning by seeing how the content Salaried Entrepreneur pyramid below. THE SALARIED ENTREPRENEUR relates to their own circumstances. Gleaned from this research, they’ve Actionable Books has created 40+ determined that there are six core engaging and interactive workshop competencies required for success in modules. Each workshop includes the face of today’s competitive realities: exercises, discussion questions and • Role & Culture Fit insights around this single topic – a skill, attitude or behaviour that can • Self Management improve the overall effectiveness of • Team Optimization the team. Workshop participants • Effective Communication have a short 2-page article to read • Innovative Thinking prior to the session. • Peer Leadership

4 THE KANATA NETWORKER SALARIED ENTREPRENEUR TEAM area certified to deliver these unique ASSESSMENT (SETA PRO): and affordable workshops. They also strongly support the idea of This online diagnostic tool putting learning in the hands of an determines your team’s strengths employer’s own leaders, believing that and weaknesses, based on the six any manager can run a successful Salaried Entrepreneur skill and attitude Actionable Workshop program. building blocks. As guidance on where Thus, they offer the option of licensing to start with the Actionable Workshops the workshop content and offer program, this assessment identifies hands-on support to maximize the which skills to focus on, and in turn, program’s impact. which Actionable Workshops to run and in what order. Clariti Group has four offices across the city, including a local Kanata office Through a partnership with Actionable at 555 Legget Drive. Learn more about Books, Clariti Group is the only them at www.claritigroup.ca. Tara Azulay & Kevin Barwin, organization in the greater Ottawa Founding Partners

SAMPLE ACTIONABLE WORKSHOPS

The Stockdale Paradox Being Remarkable The Mental Warrior inspired by inspired by inspired by

Gives your team a better sense Does your team understand the value Personal Character is critical in high of prioritization and focus in their of being memorable? The purpose of performing teams. Provide your team activities. Helps them reconnect this workshop is to increase business with a specific plan to improve their to why THIS environment is ideally volume through referrals, repeat character through discussion and suited to their long-term success. business, and customer loyalty. action focused exercises.

THE KANATA NETWORKER 5 AXIS OTTAWA 2014 BRINGING TOGETHER THE BEST OF LOCAL INNOVATORS & GLOBAL INVESTORS

A landmark event will be descending workforce is employed through upon Ottawa next month, exposing 1 million small businesses. These THERE WERE international strategic investors to the small businesses are also responsible top entrepreneurs and innovators from for 25 per cent of total exports, and the Canadian startup community. 30 per cent of the total GDP. The event, Axis Ottawa 2014, is a Not only a key contributor to two-day conference, combining innovation, investment can be an startup pitches with investor feedback integral driver of future business and keynote presentations on subjects success. There were 139 angel ranging from the startup future in investments made in Canada in 13ANGEL INVESTMENTS9 Canada to mobile monetization. 2012, a 96% increase from 2011. made in CANADA in 2012 These investments totaled $40.5M, “Events like Axis Ottawa are integral a 13% increase over 2011, according to supporting our startup ecosystem, to National Angel Capital Organization. and the growth and prosperity of our a entrepreneurs and future business Axis Ottawa 2014 will be held at leaders,” says Steven Tover, CEO, Algonquin College, September 9th and 96% Stage 2 Partners, and key organizer 10th, 2014. The event will host pitches INCREASE OVER 2011 of Axis Ottawa. “Having access to from specially selected Canadian strategic investors helps to further startups, an investor pitch competition, expose these entrepreneurs to the feedback and advice from expert THESE INVESTMENTS TOTALED international startup community.” panelists, and keynotes from Claudia Fan Munce of IBM Venture Capital Confirmed investors for the event Group, Dixon Doll of DCM, and include IBM Venture Capital, Teres Internet pioneer Jeff Pulver. The event $40.5M Capital, SanDisk, Motorola, Qodeo, will also serve as an opportunity for A 13% INCREASE Huawei, Docomo Innovations, general networking and one-on-one DCM, Apex Investment & Co., White meetings with investors. over 2011 Star Capital, Accenture, and TATA Teleservices Unlimited. “Mentorship and investment are paramount in the evolution of global “Ottawa’s reputation as Canada’s innovation,” says Ed Frank, CEO, Axis high-tech hub has come from Innovation. “Our vision is to join these decades of homegrown talent investors with strategic opportunities that has grown to succeed on the that will also benefit the entrepreneurs global scale,” says Kevin Carroll, and propel them onto the world stage.” Managing Director of Innovation, Invest Ottawa. “Axis Ottawa will be a great opportunity to further showcase this talent, and provide opportunities for further market expansion through networking and interacting with renowned global investors.” Entrepreneurs and startups are the cornerstone of Canada’s economy. According to Industry Canada, 48 per cent of Canada’s total

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THE KANATA NETWORKER 7 centre. Marianne families today may need more options Wilkinson, in their childcare. In some cases the AN INSIDE LOOK AT then Mayor of family only needs part-time care, in Kanata, helped others 24/7 care. We want to, and me through can, provide them whatever they need. the process of building permits We are also very open to providing for childcare in childcare services to local business for the Kanata North special occasions or business events. Business Park. Through our Carling location, we’ve recently partnered with Bowman’s Bar One of the many and Grill; their website is letting their things I learned clients know that if it is date night, working with childcare is just next-door. Mitel is that responses like Q: WHAT MAKES KANATA “No” and “It can’t BUSINESS PARK A GREAT be done” do not PLACE TO RUN THIS BUSINESS? exist in success This is a very family-oriented stories. With help community and the Business Park from business supports that atmosphere among its friends and businesses. It’s great knowing we AND THEIR BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS. family, I secured can reach out to the businesses on a sizeable loan Halloween, for example, and bring with the bank, By JS Communications the children to trick-or-treat within and raised their buildings. Many children see another 100k in investments to use for their parents at work as they collect The Children’s Place opened in Kanata my start-up. Within five years, we had goodies, and both the kids and the in 1981 with 100 children. In 1986, broken even. parents love it. they opened another location on Carling Avenue. It was the first and Q: WHAT SERVICES DOES THE There is also a huge variety of services only licensed 24/7 group care facility KANATA LOCATION OFFER? and spaces available for our activities in Ottawa, and one of very few in The real question is “what service here. For years, the KRP has given us Canada. They have since evolved to won’t we offer”. We pride ourselves permission to use their playing fields offer kindergarten services, and grown on working with families in need during the spring and summer and to a team of 80 full-time staff. of childcare solutions, both non- their open spaces in the winter for the children to snowshoe. We spoke with Executive Director, traditional and traditional childcare. In Terry MacIver to get the inside scoop Kanata, our core services are Monday Q: WHAT IS ONE OF THE on how The Children’s Place has to Friday 7 am to midnight, but we MOST UNIQUE CLUBS YOU evolved as a business, and her tips for open earlier by request. Our earliest to OFFER CHILDREN? parents getting their youngsters back date was 5am so that a parent could into the school routine this September, catch a flight for business. The Culinary Club is a popular one, and navigating the work/life balance as the kids get to make their own We provide care for children as with their kids. creations and eat it. We have five young as 6 weeks and up to 12 years microwaves, five toaster ovens and of age, and older for children with Q: HOW DID THE IDEA FOR five crockpots. We introduce the exceptionalities. We believe if we THE CHILDREN’S PLACE children to the proper use of kitchen can ease parental stress over their COME ABOUT? tools including blenders and mixers, childcare needs, then we have gone so that when they are ready to be The planning began in 1980 from a long way toward giving children a home alone they have developed my office at Mitel with great support relatively stress-free environment. some good basic skills. from people like Terry Matthews, Mike Cowpland and Don Gibbs. With no Q: WHAT MAKES THE CHILDREN’S money but a great vision for what PLACE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER working families needed in flexibility of AFTERSCHOOL SERVICES? childcare, I convinced a local business Flexibility and service. We are not only man, Joe Clarke to turn his planned about the educational component in warehouse space into a childcare childcare services. We recognize that

8 THE KANATA NETWORKER TERRY’S TIPS: How to get children back into the school routine How to manage work/life balance with your kids • Begin the wake up routine 1-2 weeks prior to • Don’t parent through guilt – this is life and children school starting so you are not fighting with each are resilient other (and your partner) on the first week of school • Take on what you can manage – children do • Review a bit of the basics from last year with not need to be doing extra-curricular activities your children to make their transition less stressful. every night Most teachers say that the first few weeks are • Ask for help when you need it - your childcare re-teaching last year’s materials centre or school can be a great support • Walk the walking route, and drive the bus route with your child reminding them of the safety rules along the way

THE KANATA NETWORKER 9 We specialize in customizing group beneﬁt and pension solutions for businesses of any size. With our hands-on approach dealing with the business owner, Human Resources personnel and employees, we have become industry leaders for group and pension in eastern Ontario.

Our approach also ensures that business owners and employees beneﬁt from these programs. We work with you to conﬁrm that individual planning coincides with and complements group insurance and retirement solutions.

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Co-founders Spaces on their mobile device. The we also have resources in Korea and Alec Main, Ron apps and data in one Space are not China to bring a local presence to those Vandergeest accessible to the apps and data in relationships. We will also be adding a and Paul another Space. This is different than sales office in Silicon Valley. Litva founded user accounts because you can move Graphite between Spaces quickly and they can Q: HOW DO YOU FIND THE WORK/ Software in be remotely managed. The obvious use LIFE BALANCE IN YOUR OWN 2012. After case of remotely managed Space is DAY-TO-DAY? selling their for work, where the corporate data is Graphite is a startup and everyone has previous encrypted, isolated and can be wiped signed up for that kind of adventure. company, if your phone is lost or stolen. We have So we may not have the same work/life Cloakware, a server component for managing the balance as the majority of readers but it to Irdeto in Secure Spaces and that is how we certainly helps to have a team of high- 2007, the trio monetize the solution. quality people surrounding you to help saw a new market need and this start- achieve our goals. up was born. With years of experience Q: WHAT WAS YOUR TEAM’S in consumer device security, Graphite STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS IN Q: HOW HAS BEING BASED IN Software is leading the market with their GETTING THIS STARTUP OFF KANATA NORTH BENEFITTED Android solution, Secure Spaces. THE GROUND? YOUR BUSINESS? This go around it has all been about Q: WHERE DID THE IDEA TO Kanata North is ideal for our business. experience. We have a fantastic team It is a bustling area that is familiar to tech START GRAPHITE SOFTWARE of skilled engineers. We are very grateful COME FROM? workers, provides easy commuting, lots to have former colleagues leave good of parking space, and is well serviced We saw a huge market in the Android jobs for the roller-coaster ride of a by transit, recreational facilities and operating system and the mobile Internet, start-up. We also saw the need for other amenities. but also knew that such converged fresh faces and have a few talented devices present new privacy and security new grads that are contributing and Q: WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON FOR challenges where traditional security growing significantly with help from our GRAPHITE SOFTWARE? approaches would fail. We wanted an experienced team leads. easy to use solution that would protect We are working with some of the most consumer privacy, yet enable broader, Q: HOW HAS THE COMPANY innovative companies in the world. That more immersive and safer use of smart GROWN AND EVOLVED SINCE alone is exciting, but we hope to expand devices. The Snowden leaks last year ITS FOUNDING? even further and more rapidly once we were very timely as they raised the close some of the deals in the pipe. There Graphite raised $4.4M from Celtic will be high-profile devices launched in general awareness of how these devices House Venture Partners in 2013, and can be used against you. the coming months with Secure Spaces, has grown quickly to 20 team members, which we cannot name just yet. predominantly in engineering. We are Q: HOW DOES THE SECURE SPACES looking to hire more Android developers SOLUTION WORK? and should run out of office space Secure Spaces permits a device owner next year if all goes to plan. Since we to create multiple, separate virtual work with OEM and mobile operators

Alec Main’s tips to entrepreneurs: 1) Stay Positive. You have to have 2) Have Vision. There will be ups 3) Enjoy Yourself. Even though a tough skin to start a company and downs, but with a strong the day-to-day going is tough, and face the naysayers and direction and leadership and in a few years you will look rejection that unfortunately by working as a team, amazing back on the crazy start-up days comes with creating and selling things can be achieved fondly and may even consider something new doing it again… like we did.

THE KANATA NETWORKER 11 COM DEV INTERNATIONAL REMAINS STEADFAST IN THEIR REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE AS THEY APPROACH TEN YEARS LOCATED IN KANATA

COM DEV International Ltd. is a “The Kanata Research Park is an at NASA. JWST is scheduled to launch global designer and manufacturer ideal location for us. It’s convenient in 2018 and will replace the Hubble of space hardware, founded in 1969, from the airport, and there is a high Space Telescope. with international headquarters located concentration of talent in the area,” in Cambridge, Ontario. says Marina Mississian, VP & General Another recent accomplishment Manager, COM DEV International has been launching their subsidiary Systems. “There is also the added company, exactEarth, which benefit of the Canadian Space establishes systems through a Agency’s David Florida labs located constellation of microsatellites for in Shirley’s Bay. This is a government monitoring ships around the world. space systems testing facility, and we The Kanata location was opened in “We have developed unique depend on the CSA facility to test our technology to accurately track ships 2005 and is now approaching ten equipment before it goes into space.” years in operation. The COM DEV globally – we can see where they are, team has built up a reputation for The latest COM DEV space equipment track their progress and see if they’re world-class engineering design, to be tested at the facility is a highly in distress,” says Mississian. development, and testing of advanced advanced optical system called the The company also has a strong spacecraft payloads, science systems Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) which foothold in the communications and small-satellite based missions. will be used to accurately point the satellite sector, with COM DEV James Webb Space Telescope technology on board in 80 per cent This reputation has earned them an (JWST) as it searches for the earliest impressive client list that includes of all commercial communications stars and galaxies and studies the satellites ever launched. the Canadian Space Agency, the formation of the Universe. The COM Department of National Defense, DEV equipment will also characterize “As the world evolves we take for the European Space Agency, NASA, the most distant objects, looking for granted how much comes from Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, potential life in the Universe. space,” says Mississian. “Every time Mitsubishi Electric, and Boeing. you’re watching TV or using your COM DEV’s Kanata team designed, COM DEV International serves the mobile phone, chances are it goes built and tested the FGS instrument, through our equipment.” commercial, civil and military sectors which is currently undergoing testing of the space satellite market. Their custom-designed space systems are used in communications satellites, space science (space telescopes The Kanata Research Park is an ideal location and space weather instruments), remote sensing and military satellites for us. It’s convenient from the airport and there for space situational awareness and maritime domain awareness. is a high concentration of talent in the area.

12 THE KANATA NETWORKER COM DEV Assembly, Integration and Test Lab in Cambridge, Ontario. This facility manufactures space hardware flown on over 900 spacecraft.

COM DEV prides itself on having a very in us, and we are proud of the high “With communications technology highly educated employee base. This standards we maintain.” advancing at such a fast pace, we reputation has allowed them to secure are working to develop the equipment collaborative research relationships Their plans for the future are to expand integral for faster data, more access, with universities, and earned them over into both new space product markets and more global communications 257 patents awarded or pending under as well as geographically into networks,” says Mississian. their umbrella. the emerging markets of China and Brazil. They also plan to expand their “We value our reputation for zero data services and customer base equipment failures in space. We create through exactEarth, and diversify and deliver our products and services into more satellite communications flawlessly,” says Mississian. “We really (SATCOM) systems. value the trust our customers have

The Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS), and the Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) Instruments, will guide the James Webb Space Telescope. These instruments have been designed, built and tested in COM DEV’s Kanata facility and David Florida Labs.

THE KANATA NETWORKER 13 LOGGERS WITH WIFI CAPABILITY AMONG RBR’S NEW PRODUCTS AT THIS MONTH’S OCEANS ‘14 TRADE SHOW

By JS Communications environment because even very But we take this opportunity to meet small changes can have a dramatic existing and potential customers and RBR Ltd., based in the Kanata environmental impact,” says Mark Vist, talk about any new requirements they Research Park, is among the list of RBR Scientific Sales Engineer. may have,” says Vist. field experts to be featured at the Oceans ’14 Trade Show in St. John’s, The company will be displaying some RBR began in Newfoundland this month. of their most recent offerings at the Ottawa, and show, including the introduction established their RBR is an industry leader in of WiFi capability for a line of their new headquarters in Kanata officially the design, development and products, which allows users to in January 2012. manufacturing of scientific equipment connect wirelessly to their loggers for water quality measurement and via an iPhone/iPad app, to change “Our move to Kanata allowed us to environmental monitoring. settings, download data, and more. grow just at the right time and gives us the potential for future growth,” Their equipment is extremely sensitive, Not only do these trade shows allow says Vist. “RBR started simply, offering able to report on the smallest changes for a venue to unveil new products, but temperature loggers and specialty in the environment. To put this into they also act as a venue for RBR to get products for customers. We have perspective, some of their calibrated insight into changing market trends and evolved to focus on oceanographic sensors can detect variations of customer needs – topics of the utmost grade data loggers with unique 0.002°C (two-thousandths of a importance to the company. features to assist researchers all degree Celsius) in the temperature over the world.” of the ocean. “Since our instruments are designed for deep sea and coastal deployment, RBR works closely with scientists and “Oceanographers need to make for example, it’s usually hard to do engineers to stay ahead of the industry extremely accurate measurements live demonstrations at trade shows. curve, developing and enhancing its in order to assess our changing products and incorporating the latest in technology. “We are blazing a trail with loggers that last longer, store more data, and sample faster. We are also designing smaller instruments that are easier to carry and deploy,” says Vist. Though RBR is focused on always having the newest and most innovative products in the industry, they still attribute their overall success to their focus on customer service. “Our success is based on our commitment to meet our customers’ needs in a timely fashion – whether it is building and delivering a logger or responding quickly to customers’ requirements and issues,” says Vist. “We will continue this focus on quality as we expand our new Kanata base and build on our product range One of the newly-launched range of WiFi enabled data loggers, together with RBR’s and capabilities.” Ruskin App running on an iPad®

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LEASING CENTRE Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm | After hours by appointment 1145 Maritime Way, Kanata | 613.913.9555 | www.KanataLakesApartments.ca Q&A CORNER – JENNIFER MCANDREW

Jennifer an understanding of the Ottawa. We and you need some extra seating. My McAndrew is originally started this as a weekend job, personal favorite is doing children’s Event Director working out of our basement. It then birthday parties. and Co-Founder grew to our living room, our garage, of Mastermind our first warehouse, and finally to our Q: WHAT ARE THE NEW TRENDS IN Event Rentals now 8,000 square foot warehouse on EVENT RENTALS? Inc. Jennifer and Legget Drive. When we started, we her husband, were offering the digital photo booth Currently, we are doing a lot of vintage Scott, Owner and white or black chair covers. We themes (lace, mason jars and burlap) and President have expanded to offer full-service but there is also the flip side that is of Mastermind rentals and every type of specialty seeing a 1920s theme, with over-the- Events, opened and regular linen imaginable. top sequins and feathers. Whatever the company after their wedding seven is popular on Pinterest! years ago. They saw a huge market Q: WHAT SERVICES DO for more event rentals in Ottawa after MASTERMIND EVENTS OFFER? Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST the frustration of not being able to find INTERESTING EVENTS YOU’VE what they wanted for their wedding We offer a little bit of everything to BEEN INVOLVED IN? make every event a success. Our main locally. Since then, they have grown We have been incredibly fortunate to to become Ottawa’s largest supplier service focuses on linen rentals (table cloths, napkins) but we can rent you be involved in some great community of linens and specialty equipment for events with local charities. We love events of every size. anything you may need for an event. We can help with the full coordination to support local events like the of your event or you can simply come Newfoundland Kitchen Party in Q: HOW DID THE BUSINESS START support of Bruce House, as well as AND EVOLVE? and pick up the items. We provide services for all events, whether it is the 65 Roses Gala for Cystic Fibrosis, My background is in large scale just a dinner party and you want and the Steel Toe and Stilleto Gala for event planning so I had a little bit of colourful napkins, or a family gathering Habitat for Humanity. These events

16 THE KANATA NETWORKER bring together groups of passionate services and vendors in action. We businesses, from collaborating on people and it is always inspiring to are providing the linens for our team; development projects to providing be among them. it is an incredibly creative bunch and it rental items for events. It is easily will be amazing to see the ideas take accessible for our clients and we Q: WHAT’S THE STRANGEST shape and come to life. are so happy we moved here REQUEST SOMEONE HAS MADE almost two years ago. FOR AN EVENT? Q: WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR YOUR BLOG “MASTERMIND We were once asked if we carried EVENTS: BEHIND THE VEIL” the linen Kim Kardashian used for COME FROM? her first wedding with her specific monogram – an odd request. As an I have always joked that no one would event planner, I have been asked to ever believe the kind of stuff we get make strange things happen too, like asked for and some of the situations source a marching band for a media we find ourselves in. This spring, I launch or fly linen to Nova Scotia for a started to write down stories that wedding. It’s not that the requests are stuck out in my mind and the blog impossible; it’s just that they usually kind of happened from there. There come with a deadline that is unrealistic are lots of blogs on wedding trends (like less than 24 hours). and styles so I wanted to try and offer a different perspective on the event Q: WHAT ARE SOME EVENTS industry. We joke that it would make YOU’RE LOOKING FORWARD for great reality TV but no one would TO IN THE FALL? believe it was true. This November we are part of a team Q: HOW HAS KANATA NORTH in an event called The Best Day Ever BEEN A GOOD PLACE TO BE taking place at the Museum of Nature. HEADQUARTERED? It is a wedding showdown, where two weddings go head-to-head. It’s We have some great partnerships that a twist on a traditional tradeshow. have developed in Kanata North with This way, potential clients can see the the venues and even within high-tech

THE KANATA NETWORKER 17

NEW INCUBATOR AND ACCELERATOR “L-SPARK” LAUNCHES BRINGS TOGETHER WORLD CLASS MENTORS AND ADVISORS TO SHAPE NEXT-GENERATION ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE ENTREPRENEURS

By JS Communications L-SPARK’s commitment to creating selected by an experienced committee stand-alone companies that truly and brought to Ottawa in October, appeal to institutional investors by where they will present their ideas at a the time they graduate from “Pitchfest” to battle it out for one of the the Accelerator. six spots available. “Ottawa has a lot of talented “L-SPARK is a Canadian venture entrepreneurs building Enterprise focused on supporting and growing Software, and I think L-SPARK is technology companies in the ICT just what they’ve been waiting for. sector with young entrepreneurs and This Accelerator and Incubator is seasoned mentors. I am delighted to Ottawa is officially home to a new going to provide them with expertise put my support behind the venture Incubator and Accelerator, with and mentorship from corporations which will drive new Incubator plans to bring the world’s brightest and investors all over the region. and Accelerator programs,” says minds in Enterprise Software to the L-SPARK is truly going to fuel the Terry Matthews, Chairman, Wesley nation’s capital. creation of next-generation Enterprise Clover International. “The programs Software companies, and continue have unique attributes to leverage L- S PA R K , a partnership between building Ottawa’s reputation as a links with partner executives and Wesley Clover International and Invest hotbed for innovation,” says Harley companies. The links lead to new Ottawa, opened the application Finkelstein, CPO of Shopify, and an businesses driven by known client process to its first Accelerator session advisor at L-SPARK. requirements. I feel sure that L-SPARK on September 2, 2014. will generate many successful L-SPARK management will leverage technology companies in our society “Unlike many other Incubators their extensive experience and contacts and play a key role in the Canadian and Accelerators, our sessions are to bring together a powerful team entrepreneurial landscape. I am unique because we focus solely on of mentors, business advisors, and, very pleased to be a partner in the entrepreneurs who have a concept ultimately, sector-focused venture L- S PA R K v e n t u r e .” or product designed for existing capital firms and angel investors. and emerging enterprises, such as L-SPARK will also look to exploit the L-SPARK’s first Incubator session is companies migrating to the cloud, longstanding reputation of technological set to launch later this year. companies using the software as a innovation and talent in the Eastern service (SaaS) business model and Ontario region to attract local and companies exploiting the move to remote participants to its Accelerator. virtualization in all aspects of running their business,” says Leo Lax, “Eastern Ontario has a tradition of Managing Director, L-SPARK. technology entrepreneurship and an established ecosystem that includes L-SPARK is also unique in that it leading corporations in the Enterprise builds businesses rather than just Software industry as well as a thriving enabling them. L-SPARK does not talent pool from local academic provide a one-time injection of money institutions. L-SPARK will provide a accompanied by a three or four month world-class Incubator and Accelerator sprint. Its Accelerator, for example, to leverage this environment, and is nine months long and actually provide unparalleled mentorship,” allows for up to $360,000 in funding says Bruce Lazenby, President and injections. This provides startups CEO, Invest Ottawa. with the capital they need to push their products further, and it validates Following the Accelerator application process, the top candidates will be

THE KANATA NETWORKER 19 JohnMlacak.com

Les grandes cascades, Plaisance, oil, 40" x 50"

Northern Shoreline, oil, 44" x 56"

The Kanata North BIA Networking Series

Last Wednesday of every month 5-7pm The Marshes Golf Club 320 Terry Fox Drive

Interesting People. Intimate Setting. The opportunities are endless. Grow your network.

RSVP to [email protected] 22 THE KANATA NETWORKER