July 2015

Welcome to AIESEC International Huawei’s Seeds Houle Chevrier! Student Exchange for the Future Axis on AVG Business Opens …and so much International Stage in Kanata North more inside! CONTENTS

What’s New / What’s Next ...... 3

Welcome to Houle Chevrier! ...... 6

Axis Ottawa on International Stage ...... 8

Entrepreneur Spotlight: Steve Cody, Summer has arrived and Kanata North always looks The Better Software Company ...... so beautiful at this time of year. No matter what your 10 summer recreational preferences are, you’re likely to find them here. AIESEC International Student Exchange ...... 11 It’s wonderful to see so many people out walking at AVG Business Opens in Kanata North ...... lunch and enjoying the activities we have happening at 12 our outdoor Community Hub on Legget Drive across from QNX. Our free Yoga Class on Tuesdays has been Q&A: Fusebill’s Tyler Eyamie ...... 14 a big hit and Wednesday Lunch Parties are the perfect excuse to escape the office on a beautiful day. Huawei’s Seeds for the Future ...... 15 We hope you continue to enjoy the great weather and take advantage of all the activities we have planned each week. As always I hope you enjoy this issue of The Kanata Networker. Sincerely, Jenna Sudds Executive Director, Kanata North BIA C Design and layout by Communicarium

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Please check out the event calendar PULSELOCAL OTTAWA— on our website for full details of KICK OFF EVENT events happening in Kanata. Tuesday, July 7 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 565 Kanata Avenue Join PulseLocal Ottawa at its RED DRAGON GOLF CLASSIC inaugural meet up at the Three Friday, August 28 EVERY TUESDAY—FREE YOGA Brewers in Kanata. Network with 9:30 am – 5:00 pm AT THE COMMUNITY HUB! peers, share customer success best The Marshes Golf Club, July 7, 14, 21, 28 practices and learn from each other. 320 Terry Fox Drive 12 pm – 1 pm Quarterly meetings are led by Esta KRP Properties in conjunction with Legget Drive across from the Nel, Account Development Manager Brookstreet Hotel and The Marshes QNX building at ProntoForms and Natasha Golf Club present the first annual Join Inner Revolution as they Narayan, Director at Gainsight. Red Dragon Classic on Friday, provide free yoga classes each and For more details, join the PulseLocal August 28 at The Marshes Golf Club. every Tuesday this summer! Ottawa Group on LinkedIn. The Red Dragon Classic is a KRP EVERY WEDNESDAY— tenant and vendor appreciation fun TECHTUESDAY BBQ AND WEDNESDAY LUNCH PARTIES AT day. The golf tournament will be NETWORKING THE COMMUNITY HUB! a unique scramble incorporating Tuesday, July 7 July 8, 15, 22, 29 both skill and strategy as foursomes 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm 11:30am – 1:30pm will battle over 18 holes comprised The Marshes Golf Club, 320 Terry Legget Drive across from the QNX of nine “monster” holes and nine Fox Drive building regular holes. Rain or shine, enjoy tasty summer On July 8, we will be hosting a Proceeds from the tournament will fare from the grill, while you and Charity BBQ offering hamburgers be donated to the Kanata Food your associates engage in and hotdogs and broadcasting live Cupboard for local children’s Back conversation and casual networking. from MAJIC 100 FM Ottawa’s Pop/ to School program. Rock radio station. All the proceeds collected from the food sales will go to Want to sponsor a team? Brand your the Ottawa Network for Education. company for a worthy cause! For any questions or to register, please contact KRP properties by email or at 613-591-0594, ext. 2694.

THE KANATA NETWORKER 3 4 THE KANATA NETWORKER THE KANATA NETWORKER 5 KANATA NORTH WELCOMES HOULE CHEVRIER ENGINEERING LTD.

By Amie Kandalaft

Houle Chevrier Engineering Ltd. (HCEL) is a prominent engineering consulting company in Ontario and Quebec and an industry leader in the field. Coming to us from Carp, Ontario where they spent the last eight years, the Houle Chevrier Engineering Ltd. Ottawa office can now be found at 32 Steacie Drive. The company provides Since 1994, Houle Chevrier Engineering more convenient location for many geotechnical and environmental Ltd. has experienced continual and of their clients and staff. The nearby engineering, land development and steady growth, currently employing amenities and range of professional hydrogeological services, and mate- 30 highly trained professionals. Their services have also made the new rials testing and inspection services staff consists of a mixture of engi- location more attractive to existing for residential, commercial, industrial, neers, scientists and technicians. Their and potential employees. “We look municipal, and transportation sectors continued growth and success neces- forward to working with our new neigh- across Canada. sitated an expansion of their office and bors in the North Kanata BIA!” said Recent local projects that they have laboratory space in order to effectively Serge Bourque, Operations Manager. provided their services for include serve their current and future clients. To learn more about Houle Chevrier the Highway 417 improvements from By relocating to Kanata North, they Engineering Ltd., please visit www. to Highway 7, the acquired over double the square hceng.ca. current and ongoing Highway 417 footage compared to their previous improvements from location. Consequently, the new office to , and the Light provides the space and facilities to Rail Transit (LRT) construction of the allow for continued growth. Another Confederation Trail through the down- advantage is that Kanata North is a town core of Ottawa.

6 THE KANATA NETWORKER TWO LOCATIONS: 362 Terry Fox 40 Hines Rd

THE KANATA NETWORKER 7 AXIS OTTAWA FOSTERS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON INTERNATIONAL STAGE GLOBAL STARTUP EVENT RETURNING TO THE NATION’S CAPITAL THIS OCTOBER

By Syntax Strategic is that all startups are prescreened and coached prior to the event to make the meetings as effective as possible. After a successful inaugural year, Axis Ottawa is returning Axis Ottawa 2014 brought investors from around the world, to the nation’s capital this October, giving the local and welcoming over 200 attendees, including many of Ottawa’s surrounding startup community an oppor- technology leaders, startup executives, and tunity to put their products in front of the “THESE TYPES OF executives from global technology compa- world’s leading international strategic EVENTS ARE PROOF nies as well as strategic investment firms. investors. THAT FOSTERING A “We host events around the world with the “Globally successful companies have POSITIVE CULTURE OF goal of securing investment for compa- been bred in Ottawa and Kanata, and the ENTREPRENEURSHIP nies,” says Ed Frank, CEO, Axis Innovation. region is quickly reclaiming its reputation AND TECHNOLOGICAL “We believe in the talent in the Nation’s as ‘Silicon Valley North’,” says Steven Tover, ADVANCEMENT, SUCH Capital and are excited to share this at Axis CEO, Stage 2 Partners, and a primary orga- AS THE WORK THAT AXIS Ottawa.” nizer of Axis Ottawa. “We want to provide OTTAWA AND INVEST Last year’s event provided an indispensable a platform for the next great startup to OTTAWA ARE DOING, IS stage for the local and surrounding startup meet face-to-face with strategic investors INCREDIBLY EFFECTIVE,” community, with promising results. and propel new innovations onto the world SAYS BRUCE LAZENBY, stage. We have just gone live with the PRESIDENT AND CEO, “Jobs are created as a result of this event. application process and are looking for the INVEST OTTAWA. It’s not necessarily an investment in one of most exciting startups for this year’s event.” the startups, but this is economic develop- ment 101,” says Steven Tover, CEO, Stage 2 Partners. The two-day conference will feature startup pitches to investor panels, investor presentations, keynote speakers, Through connections made at Axis Ottawa 2014 in the one-on-one meetings with companies and investors, an nation’s capital, Invest Ottawa and its partners aligned to exclusive dinner for startups and investors, and many bring economic development to India, one of the most opportunities for networking. Unique about Axis Ottawa thriving technological regions in the world.

Photos, Left: Investor panel hearing startups’ pitches at Axis Ottawa 2014. Centre: Audience at Axis Ottawa 2014 featuring startup participants from ‘SweetSeat’ – a smart-phone app that allows people at sports and entertainment venues to order food, drinks, or merchandise directly to their seat from their phone. Right: Panel discussion at Axis Ottawa 2014.

8 THE KANATA NETWORKER The impressive delegation in India was Indian businesses, exceeding our “These events bring like-minded brought together by Suneel Bandhu, greatest expectations,” says Suneel people together and allow for the COO, Tata Teleservices and member Bandhu, COO, Tata Teleservices. forging of new strategic connections of Mumbai Angels, and Raj Narula, a “These types of events are proof – a major contributing factor in entre- serial entrepreneur engrained in Otta- that fostering a positive culture of preneurial growth and success,” says wa’s tech ecosystem. The delegation entrepreneurship and technological Raj Narula, serial entrepreneur. exposed Canadian telecommuni- advancement, such as the work that Axis Ottawa will take place at Carleton cations, cybersecurity and e-health Axis Ottawa and Invest Ottawa are University from October 21 to 22, companies to Indian-based multina- doing, is incredibly effective,” says 2015. For more information, visit www. tional strategic firms. Bruce Lazenby, President and CEO, axisottawa.com. “Collaborating on an international Invest Ottawa. “These opportunities scale says so much about our resil- are more evidence of the increasingly ient globalized economy. This event collaborative spirit that has been combined the strength of Canadian embraced by Ottawa’s innovation companies with the innovation of ecosystem.”

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THE KANATA NETWORKER 9 ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT STEVE CODY, THE BETTER SOFTWARE COMPANY

Steve Cody, is the founder and presi- and public and private technology “L-Spark is the Dragon’s Den on dent of The Better Software Company, businesses. It was when she saw the steroids,” said Steve. “With the one of the two companies accepted software, which we were using to run support of Terry Matthews as my in the first L-Spark Accelerator session the business, that she contacted me mentor, I am pleased to be accepted which will end in September. to say I should try to sell it! At that in their nine month program, which will The company, in Kanata North since point I decided to ask five different end on September 23 to prepare us January, started with a staff of four business owners their opinion on for Series A funding.” people and now have 25. They are whether they would buy the software. After receiving positive feedback, I Q: CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE KEY continuing to grow at a rate of five BENEFITS OF THIS SOFTWARE per month. agreed to market it. AND HOW IT CAN HELP BUSINESSES? A serial entrepreneur, Steve is no Primarily targeting the SMB sector, we The main benefit is it can actually get stranger to starting successful busi- decided to create a model that was a people to like using software again. nesses. He has created 15 local and fully integrated single solution for small It is an all-in-one integrated program national companies in the service, business. The software is configured that saves businesses valuable time rental, e-commerce and retail markets to service small and medium sized and money. We even provide busi- which have generated over $250 enterprises across a variety of markets. nesses with a “Success Coach” to get million in sales. We provide a process that simplifies and helps them manage their entire them set up. The Better Software Company is his operations all on one platform. It is extremely easy to learn and use, first venture into the technology sector and has some key features embedded and one he is excited about. We For me the name was a logical deci- in the program include CRM, sched- contacted Mr. Cody to ask him how sion; however since all my businesses uling, invoicing, and analytics he went from party rentals to cloud- are a family affair, we gathered the reporting. based software solutions. family to take a vote. Half liked it and half didn’t, but we decided to go with Q: WHO ARE YOUR MAIN Q: WHERE DID THE IDEA TO START it, and today everyone has accepted CUSTOMERS? THE BETTER SOFTWARE the name. I remember at first Terry Our software powers over 50 indus- COMPANY COME FROM? AND, Matthews was not fond of the name, HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON THE tries throughout the United States, but it has slowly grown on him and I NAME? Canada, UK, Australia, Mexico and believe he now likes it. It was while operating multiple busi- Brazil. Our customers include anyone nesses over the past 25 years that I Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST from petting zoos to window cleaners became increasingly frustrated with CHALLENGE YOU FACED IN to retail chain owners, primarily the various software programs we had LAUNCHING THE BETTER companies with less than $5 million a to use to run the business. I decided SOFTWARE COMPANY? year in revenues. With $250M in traditional party rentals there had to be a simpler way, one that Currently we have over 150 customers and other retail businesses, I knew was more intuitive and easier to use. I that are using the software, with how to run a business, however I knew chose to create my own, one that we another 300 plus in the pipeline that nothing about technology! We had a could integrate into day-to-day opera- we have completed demos for. The good product but needed to find the tions. I met with someone who worked good news is we are also meeting right venue to get it in front of poten- at Nortel 10 years ago and asked them with a company in Miami on July 15 tial buyers. It was not until my wife saw to build the software. that wants to add 65,000 dealers to a tweet about L-Spark on twitter that the platform. A year ago I sold Monster Hallowe’en we decided to contact them about to Debbie Weinstein, an experienced their accelerator program. lawyer with a background in emerging business strategy, corporate finance

10 THE KANATA NETWORKER INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR STUDENTS

Founded in 1948, AIESEC is a non-profit organization that has been at the forefront of establishing a global network of businesses through internship exchanges. Operated by young leaders from universities in over 124 countries, AIESEC has contributed to sending hundreds of thou- sands of passionate university students and graduates abroad to provide talent and knowledge. With a proven international track record, the organization has continued to see growth in activity globally. Canadian Photo: First Angel investment. Left to right: Leo Lax L-Spark Director, students in particular have been embracing the leader- Steve Cody and Laurie Davis founder of the Ottawa Angel Network. ship and cultural benefits the program provides them, pushing Canada to become one of the top countries worldwide for outgoing exchanges. Q: HOW HAS YOUR LOCATION IN THE KANATA NORTH AIESEC Ottawa, one of Canada’s 30 local chapters, has BUSINESS PARK BENEFITED YOUR BUSINESS? had its fair share of involvement in the global commu- This location has a good vibe and echoes technology. nity. In addition to continuously sending local university With the special networking events like Tech Tuesday and students abroad, AIESEC Ottawa has established a bridge important local contributors like L-Spark for startups, it is between local businesses and talent around the world by an ideal location for new and emerging businesses. providing access to over 20,000 university students year Q: AS A SUCCESSFUL SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR, WHAT round. The initiative has served as an answer to many TIPS CAN YOU PROVIDE TO ENSURE SUCCESS? local organizations’ needs as they continue to benefit For me it’s simple. Extremely hard work and absolute deter- from interns driven by a desire to contribute their unique mination are what drive success. knowledge and maximize their learning opportunity. Internships are made possible through a partnership with the government of Canada that keeps costs low, and the STEVE’S TOP THREE TIPS: length of internships flexible. Given that the interns come from a variety of backgrounds including IT, engineering 1. Hard Work. and marketing, AIESEC has become one of the most 2. Dedication. affordable ways of acquiring high quality talent. This is 3. Laser Focus. supplemented by AIESEC labeling itself as a complete turnkey solution that allows for an easy and straightfor- ward process relied upon by many organizations across Canada. Cody says the company has a big announcement coming in two weeks that they will be excited to share, but didn’t AIESEC Ottawa is actively looking to continue devel- want to give away any hints at this time. oping Ottawa’s business community and is searching for organizations that are interested in taking on talented young interns from abroad. To learn more, please contact AIESEC Ottawa by email at [email protected] or call 613-562-5800 ext. 4658, you can also visit their website at AIESEC.ca.

THE KANATA NETWORKER 11 AVG BUSINESS OPENS GLOBAL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN K ANATA NORTH

strategy,” said Marco La Vecchia, In April 2015, the company introduced Vice President, Americas, AVG Busi- AVG Business Managed Workplace, ness. “AVG is increasingly focused on the most comprehensive version of SMBs because we know the number AVG’s fully integrated, open ecosystem of attacks on SMBs nearly doubled RMM platform. Managed Workplace since 2011. Also, the trend to mobile Version 9.1 delivers an enriched social On June 4, AVG Technologies offi- and flexible working conditions within media-style user interface that stream- cially opened its new AVG Business businesses continues to rise. This lines workflows to simplify the lives of in Kanata North. The state-of- highlights the need for the facilities IT providers, MSPs and their small-to- the-art facility is now AVG’s Global and technology that would allow us medium sized business customers. Center of Excellence for Managed to continue such growth, as well as AVG is the online security company Workplace that serves the growing, the need for additional employees.” providing leading software and international small-to-medium busi- AVG Business provides a suite of inte- services to secure devices, data and ness market. The new center is 3,195 grated solutions for IT administration, people. AVG’s award-winning tech- square metres (34,400 square feet) integrated security, Remote Moni- nology is delivered to over 200 million with more than 140 technical, sales toring and Management (RMM), and monthly active users worldwide. AVG’s and management staff. mobile device management. Working Consumer portfolio includes internet “We chose Ottawa and Kanata North with more than 10,000 partners glob- security, performance optimization, specifically as the AVG Business ally, including thousands of Managed and personal privacy and identity Global Center of Excellence primarily Service Providers (MSPs), AVG Busi- protection for mobile devices and because of the workforce talent and ness helps them achieve their business desktops. our confidence in the region, which goals by being able to provide best- are key ingredients in our focused in-class Internet security products and customer support and development services to their customers.

Photo, Left: AVG Opening Reception, Marco La Vecchia head of the facility and Vice President, Americas, AVG Business with Kanata North Councillor Marianne Wilkinson. Right: Ribbon cutting, Marco La Vecchia cutting the ribbon surrounded by senior staff.

12 THE KANATA NETWORKER THE KANATA NETWORKER 13 Q&A CORNER FUSEBILL’S TYLER EYAMIE By Peter Savage the vision we have for Fusebill. Without I also believe in surrounding myself the hard work, focus and commitment with tremendously talented people in of our team we would be nowhere. areas where I am weak and providing them with the opportunity to shine. I Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS am continuously looking for A++ Stars IN WHICH FUSEBILL STANDS OUT FROM OTHER CLOUD BASED to add to our team. BILLING VENDORS? The number one factor that sets Fuse- Fusebill stands out with our commit- bill apart from other tech success ment and focus on the SMB market stories is being part of a team that (companies with revenues of $0 - has “done it before.” $250M). This focus allows Fusebill to truly narrow in on the exact unique Q: ARE THERE ANY PLANS DOWN requirements of this segment of the THE ROAD AT FUSEBILL THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? market and build our product around We expect to hit profitability in early the needs of this group. 2016. Q: WHY WAS KANATA CHOSEN AS THE LOCATION FOR FUSEBILL? Q: WHERE DID THE CONCEPT FOR DID YOU LOOK AT OTHER FUSEBILL’S SOFTWARE LOCATIONS AROUND OTTAWA/ PLATFORM COME FROM AND CANADA? HOW DIFFICULT WAS IT AT THE BEGINNING? Tyler Eyamie is responsible for the We looked all over Ottawa for the The CTO of Fusebill Greg Burwell and development and execution of Fuse- location of our HQ. We chose Kanata I came up with the idea of Fusebill bill’s strategic and business plans. for a few reasons. Prior to Fusebill, Tyler was a Senior and our software offerings. With the Director for over 10 years at Protus IP, 1. The price per sq ft versus other growth of the Subscription Economy, which at the time of acquisition by J2 areas in the city (i.e downtown); we saw that companies were struggling Global in 2010, managed over 550,000 2. The access to transit and the with how to bill their customers in an worldwide subscribers across three highway; ongoing manner. It is quite typical for separate SaaS based platforms. us today to work with companies who 3. We love the fact that coming to the have three humans manually sending office is 100% against the morning Q: WHAT IS THE MOST INTERESTING out their invoices to their client base. traffic. PART OF WORKING AT FUSEBILL Fusebill automates the entire process EACH DAY? from quote to cash. The most interesting part of working Q: WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY BRING TO THE TABLE THAT SETS The beginning was extremely diffi- at Fusebill on a daily basis is the YOU AND THE COMPANY APART cult as we were constantly recruiting consistent challenge of trying to build FROM OTHER TECH SUCCESS and run a growing Ottawa-based STORIES? WHAT IS YOUR and dreaming of one day being a real company. PERSONAL LEADERSHIP/GUIDING company. Fast forward the clock four PHILOSOPHY? years and we have a world class team Q: THE OTTAWA BUSINESS As the CEO of Fusebill I bring over 15 of 17, over 200 worldwide customers JOURNAL NAMED YOU AS ONE years of high tech experience to the and have attracted some of Cana- OF THE FASTEST GROWING table primarily focused on SaaS. Add da’s top venture capital funds with COMPANIES. TELL US WHY YOU THINK THE COMPANY HAS BEEN to this the experience of being part investments from OMERS Ventures & ABLE TO GROW SO FAST? of a previous company from start up Covington Capital. The number one reason we have been to exit, growing from 10 to almost 400 able to grow so quickly year over year employees (Protus IP Solutions) and is the 100% dedication and commit- my battle skills have been seriously ment of our world class employees to tested.

14 THE KANATA NETWORKER HUAWEI CANADA: SEEDS FOR THE FUTURE PROGRAM

In May, 18 engineering students from At the same time, Huawei Canada Plans are already underway to expand seven universities across Canada, recognizes the importance of the program for 2016. including students from the University continuing to develop education links of Ottawa and Carleton University, between Canada and China and were participated in a unique work/study hopeful this program would further program led by Huawei and Huawei help to strengthen ties and build Canada. understanding in areas of education, The program, originally developed particularly in science, engineering to build telecommunications skills and technology. and capacity in developing markets, The trip was seen as a huge success was expanded this year to Canada for both Huawei and the students and Europe to engage engineering who participated. In remarks made students interested in building a at an Ottawa Chamber of Commerce greater understanding of ICT and event on May 28th in Ottawa, Huawei telecommunications in China and Canada President Sean Yang noted, other global markets. Students spent “The Seeds for the Future program a week in Beijing studying Chinese has challenged us to start thinking and learning about Chinese culture, about how we ensure we can attract and then spent a week in Shenzhen, at some of these bright young engineers Huawei’s global headquarters, to learn to work at Huawei.” about the company and telecommu- nications technology.

Photo: Sean Yang, the President of Huawei Canada (left) and Sarah Kutulakos, the Executive Director of the Canada China Business Council (right) with the group of students ready for departure to China.

THE KANATA NETWORKER 15 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

16 THE KANATA NETWORKER