Tech Talk 2023

EMPOWERING INNOVATION: Technology shaping the future

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WELCOME

It was an “extra”-ordinary year for KNBA

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he Urban Dictionary defines “extra” as being “over the top, excessive, way too much”, as well as “doing the absolute most.” In Latin, “extra” means “outside” or “beyond”.

For KNBA, “extra” is a word that best sums up 2023. We’ve had a big year!

In January, we celebrated KNBA’s 10th anniversary. This milestone pushed us to reflect on how far we have come and to look to the future and how we’ll empower innovation in Canada’s largest technology park.

In March, Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development of Canada, and the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced $36 million investment for Kanata-based Ranovus Inc. to advance the domestic production and manufacturing of semiconductor products and services, while positioning Canada as a key player in this strategic industry.

Next in April, Ericsson announced a $470 million partnership with the Federal Government to grow its footprint, workforce, and investments in 5G and 6G network technologies in Kanata North.

Our annual Discover Technata career fair broke attendance records with over 4,000 job seekers registered to build their career in Kanata North. We added a 2nd day of programming for candidates to meet companies up close during a series of open doors in the Park.

Hub350 continued to provide our partner community with significant value, spurring collaboration and opportunities for innovation and business growth. In 2023, we welcomed over 10,000 visitors to meetings, leadership councils, pitchfests, hackathons, roundtables.

Delegate visits to Hub350 confirmed Kanata North is growing its reputation globally as international governments came to connect with business leaders and companies in the Park.

Innovation was on the agenda as 11 startups came to pitch to members of our tech community during our Living Lab Accelerator Program. Already, thought leadership and collaborative partnerships are impacting these new entrepreneurs, giving them access to mentorship, funding and accelerated go-to-market opportunities.

Kanata North was again in the spotlight in March when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau headlined a town hall at Kinaxis to hear directly from students, entrepreneurs, business leaders and our tech community about how Kanata North is

Hub350 contributing to Canada’s innovation agenda on a global scale.

The conversation covered the environment to the Charter of Rights, to talent attraction and retention, women in STEM, Cleantech, immigration, healthcare, transit, housing and more.

On International Women’s Day, we welcomed Anne No Delaide, managing director, Banking at RBCx, Sarah Scullion, Brewer at Big Rig Brewery, Erin Crowe, CFO at the Ottawa Senators to a panel called Women who mean business: How to take your seat at the table. They recounted their own experiences in senior positions, discussed unconscious bias, male-dominated industries, and the road to equality.

It’s not all about work in the park. We also like to play! Over the summer, we grew our volleyball league to 28 membercompany teams who enjoyed our greenspace and friendly competition, and Wellness Wednesdays drew large crowds outdoors with “Yoga in the Park”.

These activities, numbers and statistics tell an amazing story of hard work and achievement. But the people behind these numbers are the ones to thank.

“It’s the hard work and determination of our stellar team and our community that continue to put Kanata North on the global map. Recently, the tech industry has had to adjust to changing economic times, and yet our community has remained strong as we see the tech park back in growth mode,” says Amanda Gordon, interim president & CEO, KNBA. “By connecting our companies to post-secondary, diverse talent pipelines, funders, and partners, KNBA works to propel our local tech economy into a promising future. Together, we have an opportunity to transform our park into a modern, connected, sustainable, livable community for the world’s top tech workers.”

Thank you to our member companies and partners.

You’ve challenged us, built with us, and encouraged us in our mission to make the tech park a place to live, work, play, learn and innovate – a vibrant world-class technology park for generations to come.

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CONTENTS

Connecting, collaborating, community building “ The future depends on what we are doing in the present.” – Gandhi As you read the words of our partners, allies and champions through the pages in the 2023 edition of Tech Talk, you will be struck by the focus and commitment in making the world a better place and making a difference, starting with our little corner of the earth we call Kanata North. Home to Canada’s largest technology park, and Ottawa-Gatineau region’s unparalleled economic engine, thousands of people dedicate themselves here each day to shaping our future by finding solutions that solve problems, meet needs and make things better. The essence of innovation. It is what builds the fabric of our Kanata North community. Never has it been more important for us to connect and reach out to one another and find new ways to collaborate and work together as a tightlyknit community. The future depends on us.

The Kanata North Business Association has been reflecting over the past year on what that future could look like, and what kind of community we aspire to be. As we put the final touches on our 2023-2028 strategic plan this fall, informed by multiple conversations and consultations with a wide range of technology and business leaders, it is clear that what we do together over the next five years will shape our region’s future for the next generation and beyond. Whatever that future turns out to be, it distills down to three essential ingredients: connecting with our neighbors, collaborating so we can help each other and our customers, and relentlessly pursuing community-building initiatives.

You can count on the Kanata North Business Association to do its part.

OP-ED TERRY MATTHEWS: EMPOWERING INNOVATION

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BEN MORRIS: CELEBRATING THE PAST AND LOOKING FORWARD

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KANATA NORTH:

THE ORIGINS OF CANADA’S LARGEST TECH PARK

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KANATA NORTH’S BEST KEPT SECRET 10 THE FUTURE OF CANADIAN TECH GROWTH

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PARTNER: RBCx PARTNER: CARLETON UNIVERSITY PARTNER: QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY PARTNER: UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA PARTNER: ALGONQUIN COLLEGE

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WHERE WE LIVE PRIME MINISTER TALKS TECH GROWTH 8 RANOVUS GETS FUNDING 9

WHAT WE’RE GEEKING OUT ON LIVING LAB ACCELERATOR 2023

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BLUWAVE-AI TAKES THE POWER GRID FOR A RIDE

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SOLINK RAISES $60M

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WHERE WE WORK

GUY LEVESQUE CHAIR OF THE KNBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ASSOCIATE VICE-PRESIDENT, INNOVATION, PARTNERSHIPS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP, UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA

INSIDE ALPHAWAVE SEMI’S NEW HQ

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CALLING ACTION AT HUB350’S NEW DIGITAL MEDIA LAB

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TECH LEADERS LOOK TO THE SKY

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OP-ED

Empowering innovation– Past, present & future

BY TERRY MATTHEWS, CHAIRMAN WESLEY CLOVER INTERNATIONAL

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iming in life is everything.

This holds true when I reflect on the growth of the Kanata North technology park - its transformation, impact and potential for the future.

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We live in a rapidly evolving world, one that is changing every day. This process of transformation is powered by technology. The technology that will take us forward can unlock enormous potential for innovation. Empowering innovation impacts us today and shapes the future.

Home-grown tech giants, including NRC, CRC, Mitel, Nortel Networks, BNR and others, laid the foundation for many innovations and paved the way for many of the rising tech stars we are seeing today. The City of Ottawa recognizing the diverse growth potential of the tech park has designated the area as a “Special Economic Zone”. Kanata North has been and will be a great place to live, work, play, learn, and innovate.

Since opening the first Mitel office here in Kanata in 1972, I have seen much-needed diversification from telecommunications to companies specializing in software development, security, leading-edge chip design and hardware design – powering innovations that have been adopted worldwide and created successful global tech companies with headquarters in Canada. The natural rise and fall of companies have also provided for a thriving spin off and startup ecosystem. All in collaboration and proximity to academic institutions who provide the fuel for growth –

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talent as well as leading-edge research.

Kanata North companies can tap into a diverse talent pool of students, qualified graduates, faculty, and researchers to drive cutting-edge R&D activities and contribute to innovation in various fields including cybersecurity, MedTech, Clean technology, and AI. Many of the tech trends are generally accelerating the primary characteristics that have defined the digital era: granularity, speed, and scale. But it is the magnitude of these changes—in computing power, bandwidth, and analytical sophistication—that is opening the door to new innovations, businesses, and business models.

The continued development of cloud and 5G, for example, exponentially increases the user base, the compute power and network speeds that can enable even greater technological and commercial innovation. Advances in AI, machine learning, and software 2.0 (machine-written code) bring a range of new services and products, from autonomous vehicles to nextgeneration networks to MedTech, well within reach. These are exciting times!

TECHNOLOGIES SHAPING THE FUTURE I would like to bring attention to some examples of innovations shaping our future that are happening right here, right now in Kanata North. Companies such as Blackberry QNX, Nokia, Solace, Ciena, Solink, Edge Signal and Celestra Health, just to name a few, are helping us to take huge strides to improve connectivity, business productivity, operations and safety and user experiences across a wide range of applications and industries.

The integration of next-generation technologies such as edge computing with the deployment of AI and machine learning algorithms enables intelligent decision-making and automated actions without relying on cloud or centralized infrastructure. This enables real-time or near-real-time decision-making, making applications that require immediate responses, such as facial recognition, object detection, autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, natural language processing, and healthcare monitoring happen.

Many other examples come to mind, and I look forward to seeing more innovations fostered in the Kanata North technology park in the years to come.

The Kanata North Business Association and Hub350 play an important role in driving innovation in our local tech park and beyond by facilitating networking opportunities and collaboration among students, businesses, startups, research institutions, and government organizations. Another important player in our tech park is L-SPARK, who provide support and mentorship to help startups grow and attract investment via their SaaS-focused business accelerator as well as a variety of corporate acceleration programs in areas such as MedTech, IoT and connected cars - including the Living Lab Accelerator in partnership with Hub350. It is this type of collaboration that makes the Kanata North tech ecosystem truly unique.

As we look ahead, think about what the future holds. I am certain that the time is right to be in Kanata North! We have many of the right ingredients in place for business success. Raising the profile of this incredible tech hub is critically important and we all play a role as ambassadors to tell the story.

As the park further adapts and evolves, attracting companies and talent from around the world, the tech ecosystem will fuel many more innovations to shape our future – here in Kanata North, Ottawa, throughout Canada, and on a global scale.

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KANATA NORTH

How Kanata North grew to become Canada’s largest tech park In west Ottawa, just 26 kilometres from the downtown core, Kanata North is a robust and vital business ecosystem that has housed some of Canada’s most influential tech companies – and it is hiring Powered by the Globe and Mail For more than fifty years, Kanata North, represented by the Kanata North Business Association (KNBA), has been fostering an environment where local businesses create success by attracting and retaining the best talent in the world.

Ottawa’s reputation as a hub of innovation owes much to Kanata North.

But to really understand where the tech industry is going, and the pivotal role this global high-tech hub has played, one has to look to the past.

THE LEGACY OF CANADA’S LARGEST TECHNOLOGY PARK Kanata North’s story of innovation can be traced back three-quarters of a century. After the founding of global defence contractor Computing Devices Canada in 1948, and later Microsystems International Ltd. (MIL) in 1968, the Canadian government funded Northern Electric and Bell-Northern Research – later Nortel Networks – to reduce its dependency on foreign companies for tech parts. A small rural town outside of Ottawa became home to some of the country’s earliest tech talents, and a place for them to live, work, play, learn, and innovate.

In the early 1970s when Denzil Doyle, CEO and founder of Digital Equipment Canada (1962), purchased

56 acres of farmland in Kanata, he had a dream to one day build a technology park. Considered by some as the “godfather” of the Kanata tech scene, the pioneering entrepreneur led the region’s move to technology manufacturing. This, in addition to the attractive living conditions created by affordable housing and top schools, drew more talent to the region, like Mitel founders Michael Cowpland and Sir Terry Matthews, who opened their office in Kanata in 1972.

Over the next four decades, Doyle led the investment of millions of dollars in software and telecommunications.

Computing Devices and MIL may be ancient history, but the Ottawa area continues to reap the benefits of those who blazed this tech trail. By the 1990s, it boasted more than 90 companies founded or co-founded by former MIL employees, worth over an estimated $3-billion. The demise of Nortel in 2009 flooded the region with unrivaled tech talent, many of whom remain.

Today, Kanata North is home to 540+ companies, primarily in the tech sector, that have become the backbone for the economic development of west Ottawa. An analysis of the park found it contributes more than $13-billion annually to Canada’s GDP. Kanata workers are four times more productive

than the national average, and the park houses tech companies with global impact and reach.

Mitel is among the many companies that remain on-site. It’s “the original global multinational,” says Kanata North tech executive Amy MacLeod, and she would know, having spent most of her professional life in Kanata North with “the formative years” of her career at Mitel. It wasn’t only the innovative business models that made the emerging company a success; its early leadership played a vital role in shaping the organization.

“It’s a shared experience in the profound sense of growing a company [while] conquering a global market.”

Today, MacLeod – VP of corporate communications for MDA, Canada’s largest space technology company – remarks on the unique history and values that drive the success of the park.

“It’s still global. It’s still feeding innovation. It’s created an entire ecosystem,” she says.

The business model of shared equity and re-investing in innovation were cornerstones of the technology leadership that inspired other early KNBA companies, such as Newbridge Networks. This growth model funded and nurtured by Sir Terry Matthews is “the really magical part of Kanata North,” MacLeod says. The park has become a “feeder system” that helps its companies mature and evolve.

Rather than searching far and wide for qualified talent, organizations can capitalize on the area’s high percentage of young, highly-educated individuals for whom Kanata North’s work opportunities, along with its business and retail services, are very appealing.

This feeder system can also be seen in action through Sylvain Charbonneau, VP of research and innovation at the University of Ottawa. Like MacLeod, he spent much of his career in the park, and Charbonneau is both a champion of its vibrant ecosystem and a key player in expanding Kanata North’s talent pool.

Charbonneau has been a leader in photonics and nanotechnology

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KANATA NORTH for decades, conducting research in collaboration with Kanata North companies through the 1990s and into the early 2000s. He went on to cofound Optenia Inc. within the park, and in his role as chief technology officer, he witnessed the benefits of Kanata North first-hand.

“Kanata North is long in the making,” he says. “That ecosystem is very unique, and you have all the supply chain supporting the tech sector there.”

A FUTURE-THINKING COMMUNITY The KNBA, formed in 2013, represents, advocates for, and supports the best interests of its local member companies while promoting the region to new businesses. For example, in 2021 KNBA introduced Hub350, which serves as a central collaboration space where students, talent, investors, companies, and creatives collide.

KNBA’s efforts are changing the way companies think about how they operate, who they partner with, and what kind of lifestyle might appeal to their talent. As a result, the Kanata North community’s “live, work, play,

learn, and innovate” mantra has become an integral part of these companies’ cultures.

By combining post-secondary R&D and diverse talent pipelines with startups, funders, and enterprise-level

companies, KNBA is building on its past to propel the tech park into a promising future. In its Annual Report on Tech, commercial real estate services and investments company CBRE reveals that Canada’s tech talent workforce grew by 15.7 per cent from 2020 to 2022, outpacing the U.S. growth rate of about 11 per cent. The Ottawa region led all North American markets, with tech talent comprising 13.3 per cent of total employment, more than double the Top-50 market average. The San Francisco Bay Area ranked second at 11.6 per cent.

Charbonneau puts it simply: “Great things happen in Kanata North.”

From a decades-old dream to incubate innovation in a cornfield, to today’s recognition as a groundbreaking business community, exploring the art of the possible is what’s fueling the park’s future.

“KNBA is doing an amazing job of evolving and keeping that community connected,” MacLeod says. “You can’t disconnect community innovation from technology innovation. It’s why the park is still whole and powerful, and the largest in Canada.”

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WHERE WE LIVE

Prime Minister talks tech growth, talent retention at Kanata North town hall

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ooking to host a fully democratic conversation where everything was on the table, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took part in an AMA (ask me anything) event at Kinaxis in Kanata North.

While topics ranged from the environment to the Charter of Rights and even Ukraine, the hot topic for tech park attendees centered on talent retention, women in STEM, and supporting growth in Canada’s tech industry.

Prime Minister Trudeau opened by saying the event was “an opportunity for me to hear directly from you on the things that you’re preoccupied with, and maybe for you to hear some answers from me on where I think we’re going and what the kinds of things that, as a country, as a government, as communities, as a tech sector, we can and should be working on.”

Before he took questions from the rapt audience, the Prime Minister lauded Kanata-Carleton MP Jenna Sudds for “believing in the tech sector here, boosting Kanata, getting me to come to an awful lot of events… there’s a lot going on here.”

Kanata North Business Association executive director Jamie Petten started the discussion off by asking Trudeau about Canada’s innovation agenda, and how Kanata North can contribute to the country’s aspirations for tech growth on a global scale.

Noting that he was last in Kanata in for Nokia’s $300M investment announcement, made with municipal, provincial and federal partners, Trudeau said it’s important for the federal government to continue investing in Canadian companies that are growing and scaling up.

“But we also want to draw in global investors to contribute to a stronger ecosystem where we can get more Canadian startups to come around them.

It’s about getting that balance right,” Trudeau said.

He noted that Nokia could have chosen to put its new building – one of five global research and development hubs for the country anywhere, but the company chose Kanata not because of the federal government’s $40-million investment.

“We knew it had nothing to do or very little to do with us. It had everything to do with the talent pool that’s here. You mentioned the engineers, the students, the researchers, the folks here in Kanata.

The folks here in Kanata who are as well a part of Canada. We have the highest educated population in the OECD. We have a consistent level of engineering and science quality that is competitive with the world around,” he said.

ATTRACTING THE TALENT Erika Butler, a Kinaxis program manager asked Trudeau what his government was doing to get more women working in STEM. Trudeau noted the statistics that companies that have more women on boards withstand economic challenges better than companies that don’t, and offered the same can be said for tech companies that have a higher proportion of women engineers.

“These are things that people are starting to see, that gender balance and inclusive policies are not just about ticking the box or looking like you’re a modern, progressive company. It’s actually about better solutions and better quality of output,” he said. “There are specific policies that we need to make sure we’re continuing to put in place, especially around encouraging women and girls to get into STEM programs in schools.”

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WHERE WE LIVE Raising a concern at the top of minds for many Kanata North businesses, another Kinaxis employee asked Trudeau what the government was doing to support the development and retention of Canada’s tech talent, referring to brain drain to the U.S. and Silicon Valley.

Trudeau noted his government’s global skills strategy, a streamlined visa process which over the past few years has allowed 63,000 engineers, tech workers, scientists and innovators to come to Canada within two weeks.

Trudeau also noted that Canada’s postsecondary institutions are “churning out” top talent, and his goal is to keep that expertise in Canada.

PRIME MINISTER COMMITS TO BOOSTING TECH Kanata North City Councilor Cathy Curry asked the Prime Minister about housing and transportation in the area, stating Kanata North was a special economic district. She noted the city would be applying for some of the $4-billion Housing Accelerator Fund.

Prime Minister Trudeau said often when massive investments like the Nokia plan are announced, concern is ‘where are all these people going to live?’

He added the building fund would “empower and enable municipalities to figure out how to unlock even more housing constructions in their communities in ways that make sense.”

“Does it mean a lot more density around LRT spaces? Does it mean shifts in zoning to allow for multiple levels?

Does it allow an acceleration of the permitting process so that developers can move quicker but also responsibly?

What are the solutions that are right for Kanata to accelerate, to create a lot more housing? That’s what you’re going to be able to apply for in the Housing Accelerator Fund.”

When asked how he would help tech companies scale, Trudeau said he hopes the Canadian Innovation Corporation will help.

“There are no easy answers on it, but know that it’s something we’re absolutely focused on and something that, quite frankly, I want to hear from all of you on as well, what we can do to unlock the key to staying in Canada,” he said.

“I think one of the things that we do offer is a level of stability that might be a little more attractive now than it was even a couple of months ago. And we’ll

use those advantages we can,” he said.

“We’ll just keep trucking along steadily as hardworking, earnest Canadians, drawing the best from around the world and building success for ourselves and contributing to the world. And hopefully we will be able to land a few big platforms that will be home growth.

It’s coming, but we’ve just got to keep working on it.”

Ranovus receives $36M to power up Canada’s semiconductor production The Government of Canada took another step forward in its plan to bolster semiconductor and compound semiconductor manufacturing capacity in the country with a major injection of funding for Kanata North-based Ranovus Inc. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry announced a $36 million contribution through the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to the local semiconductor company in support of a larger $100 million domestic production project.

“Semiconductors are part of our everyday life. They are in our phones, our cars and our appliances. Through this investment, we are supporting Canadian innovators, helping creating good jobs and IP, and developing Canada’s semiconductor industry to build a more resilient economy,” said Champagne. “Canada will continue to play a leading role in the rapidly growing semiconductor industry, helping to strengthen and secure the North American supply chain.”

With this contribution, Ranovus will increase its headcount in Canada to 200 full-time employees and provide opportunities to 150 Canadian co-op students. The funding will also help

accelerate the development of IP in Canada, as this project is expected to produce 40 new patents.

“The computing power for training artificial intelligence systems has grown by 300,000 times over the past 5 years, based on the recent OpenAI study. To support this unprecedented growth, thousands of computer chips must be interconnected with massive data pipes to create an artificial intelligence cluster,” said Hamid Arabzadeh, Chairman and CEO, Ranovus Inc. “We are investing $100 million to further scale our next-generation AI interconnect platform and are delighted by the continued support of the Strategic Innovation Fund to help keep Canada at the leading edge of the next generation of AI native infrastructure.”

Established in 2012 by a group of technology industry veterans, Ranovus is focused on developing a single-chip optical engine that would allow fibre optics to replace electrical circuits in high‑performance computers for data centre servers, in turn allowing for faster connection, as well as energy and cost savings.

Ranovus first received funding support from the SIF in 2018, with a $20 million influx of capital to develop and construct the next generation of data infrastructure centres.

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KANATA NORTH

Dell: The best kept secret in Kanata North The global conglomerate comes out of stealth mode to announce a new line of business in 5G

By Paula Clark Kanata North has a brand new bag, and its name is Dell.

Yep, you heard that right. The company — now on the cusp of turning 40 — chose Kanata North as the best place to reinvent itself with a new line of business in 5G telecommunications.

Locating Dell Technologies in Ottawa makes perfect sense to anyone who’s aware of the pedigree and sheer volume of engineers roaming around the city’s tech park — Nortel may be long gone, but a good chunk of the people who worked there are still in the city.

It’s a strategic advantage that couldn’t be overlooked.

When Dell approached a few members of this talent pool to get in on the ground floor, they jumped at the chance.

“The depth of Ottawa’s talent pool makes us best equipped to navigate the 5G industry transition,” said Vish Nandlall, vice-president of technology strategy and ecosystems. “Exciting developments like this should be populated by the best minds in the industry.”

Dell’s strategic investment to build a cutting-edge lab at 1000 Innovation Dr. proves its confidence in Kanata North’s talent pool. Under Nandlall’s leadership, the team in Ottawa was incubated to a 300-person R&D organization during the recent pandemic. Since then, Dell has mainstreamed the project into a formal Telecom Systems Business Unit, where it has grown beyond 400 engineers as of this year.

Now that the lab is up and running, this Dell team will fly under the radar no

more. They’re ready to make their mark and leave behind a legacy for the next generation.

WHY IS 5G SO PROMISING? Dell is known for building hardware like laptops, but the company saw that 5G was the ideal space for a new line of business.

On paper, the shift from 4G to 5G involves changing a single digit. In reality, implementing 5G will require standardizing and building a new telecommunications infrastructure.

It’s true that 5G will give the average consumer the ability to download a movie in one minute instead of 10, but the game-changing business potential lies with private 5G networks for

enterprises.

“The emerging class of private cellular networks is fundamentally changing the equation,” said Nandlall.

“There’s potential for massive productivity gains with 5G-driven technology, including robotics, autonomous driving, remote surgery and even augmented reality.”

5G tech is also more reliable and offers businesses more independence and control. By installing their own 5G radio units (which are similar to WiFi access points) enterprises can process huge amounts of data quickly and securely.

“You can’t uniquely rely on a public network when the signals can’t get into your building,” said Don Hawkins, senior director of the telcom systems

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KANATA NORTH business. “And your applications may require a private network on your premises to augment the public coverage.”

All that adds up to enterprises needing a lot more than 4G. Missing out on the opportunities of 5G could make the difference between staying competitive and being the next proverbial Blockbuster, which is why both governments and industry knew it was time to make this telecommunications revolution a reality.

WHY DELL IS READY FOR 5G Making it happen is going to take some work — 5G infrastructure has to be built from the ground up.

The task is so massive that governments around the world are supporting Open RAN (radio access network) — a set of specifications that defines open interfaces between systems — to make it possible.

“Canada, the U.S., Australia, Britain and New Zealand have all signed an agreement saying this is strategically important for the security of supply for telecom infrastructure,” said Hawkins.

Industry spearheaded the push for Open RAN, including big carriers in Japan, the U.S. and Europe who didn’t want innovation and competition to be quashed by being locked into large legacy networks.

“How do you get more competition into the market? How do you get innovation happening?” said Hawkins.

“You open it up.”

WHAT EXACTLY IS DELL BUILDING? Fortunately for Dell Technologies, Open RAN isn’t the only competitive edge they have in the 5G enterprise market.

The company’s existing server business ensured they were perfectly positioned to step into this space.

“Open RAN relies on the type of servers Dell creates to perform baseband processing,” explained Hawkins.

Dell is creating hardware and intellectual property (IP) within

this open ecosystem. There are four development teams presently in Ottawa covering hardware development, software development and advanced wireless technology.

On the IP side, new enterprisefriendly standards are needed. “We’re developing intellectual property that will define next generation wireless standards,” said Morris Repeta, director of advanced wireless technology.

While Repeta’s team is handling the standards and advanced technologies that will be required for 6G, Hawkin’s people are developing new hardware.

“We announced one product developed in Ottawa at Mobile World Congress called the Open RAN accelerator,” said Hawkins. “It’s a card that goes into a Dell server and allows you to get higher performance than you can get from the processor.”

HOW ARE THEY MAKING IT HAPPEN? All this has come together due to Nandlall’s vision, with their office officially opening in March of 2023.

“We saw the powerful forces changing the telecoms industry,” said Nandlall. “So after some initial prototyping and business planning, a group of about 10 started developing

products in 2020.”

In spite of their exponential growth — or maybe because of it — there’s plenty of opportunity for new recruits to get in on the ground floor.

“I have about 30 on my team, with 95 per cent being PhDs and the remaining five per cent having more than 20 years of experience,” said Repeta. “So there’s a lot of brainpower on this right now.”

Keeping the brain gain pipeline open is another focus of the Dell team. They continue to form research partnerships with Ottawa’s academic community and initially searched far and wide to find the best talent around the world.

“We have people in Montreal, Toronto, Boston, Dallas, London, UK and Tel Aviv,” said Repeta, adding that the pandemic was a “wild time” to build an organization.

Today, they’re calling out to the engineering talent in Ottawa who are turning their eyes towards telecom as a hot industry.

“It’s early days here in Canada, we’re pioneers,” said Repeta, adding, “After three years we are still growing. But, across the four distinct R&D teams here in Ottawa, we are a talented team of professionals committed to making Dell a leader in the 5G space.”

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OP-ED

Celebrating our past and looking forward to the future

BEN MORRIS VICE-PRESIDENT, CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIES, WESLEY CLOVER INTERNATIONAL KNBA VICE-CHAIR

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n the heart of the tech world, where the rapid pace of innovation often leaves little room for reflection, I find myself in a unique position. As a tech executive in my 40s, I am often caught between the rich history of our region and the dazzling future that beckons. Telephones and networking equipment, reminders of times past, don’t immediately conjure images of cutting-edge innovation. Yet, they are the very foundation upon which our modern digital world is built.

In today’s age of Artificial Intelligence, social media, and e-commerce, it’s easy to see why Kanata North might be overshadowed by the likes of Montreal and Toronto, often hailed as the epicenters of AI. However, this perspective overlooks the profound ongoing contributions of Kanata North to the global tech landscape.

Kanata North recently marked its golden jubilee as a global leader in the communications sector. This area, with its deep-seated roots in telecom and a pedigree of R&D talent unparalleled worldwide, has been the silent force behind many of the innovations we take for granted today.

Platforms like TikTok, Shopify, Netflix and Kinaxis, which today consume vast amounts of network bandwidth, were mere ideas when 4G was first introduced. The digital landscape has evolved dramatically since then, and Kanata North has been at the forefront of this evolution. As we stand on the cusp of the 5G era, which promises to revolutionize not just consumer

connectivity but also business applications, Kanata North’s role becomes even more pivotal.

Unknown to many, Kanata North has been the bedrock of the communications industry. It might come as a surprise that the largest communication providers around the world look to Kanata as a source of key technology. This is not just a testament to our technical prowess but also to the trust and reliability that Kanata North has built over the decades.

Consider the everyday experiences that are enhanced by innovations from Kanata North. Every time you buy a coffee at Tim Hortons, your customer experience is being managed by Solink.

When you board a plane, its movements are processed by Solace. Turning on the news or watching a sporting event?

You’re engaging with content powered

by Ross Video. And as you browse the web, your security is safeguarded by one of several local companies from our region.

There’s a narrative that our region is grappling with an identity crisis, overshadowed by big telecom giants.

I beg to differ. Instead of seeing ourselves in the shadow of these giants, it’s time we embrace our historical roots. Kanata North is not just a relic of the past; it’s a beacon of the future. Our history is not a chain holding us back but a launchpad propelling us forward.

The next time you think of Kanata North, I urge you to look beyond the old telephones and networking equipment.

Think of the emerging tech companies here that are shaping the future. Think of the innovations that have their roots in this very soil. Think of the countless ways in which Kanata North has touched and transformed our digital lives.

In celebrating our past, we find the inspiration to shape the future.

As we stand at this juncture, let’s not forget the legacy of Kanata North.

Let’s champion it as a place where innovation isn’t just a buzzword but a way of life. Let’s celebrate our past and look forward to a future filled with endless possibilities.

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PARTNER: RBCx

Unlocking tech success:

How RBCx empowers and accelerates growth within Hub350’s community dedicated to meeting startup needs, but beyond that with Capital, our investment management and fund finance arm for VC funds and growth firms; Ventures, our own tech companies that provide that real-word experience entrepreneurs can tap into; and Platform, our network of specialists that advise on growth operations and strategy. These four areas help position RBCx to be the go-to source for tech founders and investors in the innovation ecosystem.

At the epicentre of Hub350’s partnership with RBCx stands Ray Rashed, Director of Banking. While his greater focus is on the Ottawa and Atlantic Canada markets, Ray serves as a key contact for understanding the innovation, opportunities and trends that are transforming the landscape of Ottawa’s thriving tech ecosystem.

In this Q&A, we sit down with him to learn what makes RBCx a catalyst for growth and the incredible potential it holds for the Hub350 community.

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WHAT MAKES OTTAWA’S TECH SCENE SO INNOVATIVE?

1

IN WHAT WAYS DOES RBCX SUPPORT THE LOCAL TECH ECOSYSTEM?

At its most basic level, our partnership with Hub350 provides an opportunity for the RBCx team to create a meeting place to support entrepreneurs. But we think of it as much more than just a physical location; we see it as an environment that sparks conversation, nurtures talent, and helps foster innovation.

We’ve collaborated on multiple events with other organizations and startup accelerators such as SaaS North, L-Spark, Deloitte, FreshFounders and FounderFuel, where we share insights and provide guidance on industry challenges local founders are facing. We also hold office hours every Thursday (from 9am-3pm) in the RBCx Finance Quarter in Hub350, where we meet oneon-one with its community members to discuss ways we can support their

Ray Rashed, Director of Banking specific business needs, whether that’s connecting them with our extensive network of experts, building out strategic partnerships, and supporting them as they scale with our suite of financial products and services that are specifically tailored for tech startups.

2

WHAT IS RBCX’S MISSION AND HOW DOES IT SUPPORT TECH COMPANIES?

RBCx helps tech companies scale and drive impact by connecting them to the right people, ideas, and financial solutions. We do this, of course, with banking products and services

Consider the numbers! Ottawa is home to over 1,900 tech firms that employ over 75,000 people with decades of innovation, R&D and technological expertise. Then you have Kanata North, the country’s largest tech park located just 20 minutes from the downtown core, that houses some 540 companies employing thousands of professionals.

These are ambitious players in cutting-edge industries that include life sciences, clean technology and digital media. That makes the Ottawa region a major business and tech hub and, I think, rightly earns the “Silicon Valley North” moniker.

RBCx offers dedicated banking advisors for tailored financial products and services to meet distinct startup needs.

To learn more about how RBCx can help your business grow, go to rbcx.com/ technology-advisors/

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PARTNER: CARLETON UNIVERSITY

Empowering innovation: Tech shaping the future Carleton University’s innovation space (CU@Kanata) at Hub350 brings together academic, industry, and government partners, while serving as a bridge between our campus and Canada’s Largest Technology Park. Along with our collaborative partners at Hub350, we foster a community of collaboration based on partnerships that are relational, holistic, and long-term.

In doing so, we have forged a space for Carleton students and researchers in this vibrant ecosystem and empowered them as they connect with members of the Kanata North Business Association and the rest of the Hub350 community.

Whether through industry sponsored networking and experiential learning events, co-op placements, research partnerships, hackathons, or career events, Carleton University and industry partners share the mutual responsibility to create a dynamic environment for innovation.

Carleton’s purpose-built space at Hub350 embodies our commitment to building effective and lasting partnerships with institutions and organizations that share our values and the desire to come together for the greater good.

Carleton supports innovative collaborations by leveraging our institution’s human capital and cutting-edge research across a range of fields. Carleton is home to many of the world’s leading experts in wireless communications, sensors systems and

data, signal processing, cybersecurity, AI and machine learning. Our researchers and industry partners have access to state-of-the-art facilities to experiment in new ways and using different platforms.

For example, our ARISE Building is a state-of-the-art facility for collaborative research focused on technological innovation and commercialization in the fields of clean technology, health technology, and information and communication technology. At the recently opened Centre for Advanced Building Envelope Research, researchers are using technology to build a sustainable future by mitigating climate change, reducing carbon emissions, and improving energy efficiency. This facility enables research into novel materials and design strategies to ensure that both old and new homes are prioritizing energy efficiency.

Research at Carleton is also focused on using technology to lead important innovations in the health sector. In partnership with AGE-WELL and the Bruyère Research Institute, researchers are developing technologies using sensors and analytics to enable an aging population to maintain a healthy and independent lifestyle. Research conducted into cybersecurity is also using technology to advance solutions to ubiquitous societal challenges.

The interdisciplinary researchers at the Carleton Computer Security Lab are collaborating in areas such as

applied cryptography, authentication and identity management, intrusion detection and network monitoring, security and usability, software protection, and web security and privacy.

We share your vision for transforming the world through next-generation technologies and solutions.

Experiential learning projects and internship placements provide students with additional opportunities to gain connections and experience with academic and industry partners.

Carleton’s Innovation Hub serves as a critical partner in the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem - building entrepreneurial talent to fuel innovation and develop new businesses. We offer programs that foster the creativity and business acumen of students who would like to create and develop a business or contribute to industry projects. From a range of disciplines, these student leaders are working with industry experts, mentors, and entrepreneurs to create initiatives and establish partnerships that will further their educational and career goals while having a positive impact on their community and society.

But the question remains: How can we further empower innovation and use technology to shape the future? At Carleton, we value industry partnerships and research excellence in terms of knowledge sharing, benchmarking, and the importance of sustainability and wellness. We believe in the power of higher education to mobilize change and we know our community is strongest when we collaborate. We are ready to foster engagement. Let’s work together to build an effective innovation ecosystem that supports the needs of our academic, industry, and government partners while establishing a sustainable vision that uses technology to tackle the challenges of the future.

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PARTNER: QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY

Ramzi Asfour and Queen’s University’s Ingenuity Labs want to help business adapt to artificial intelligence and robotics “Our view is that robots and AI [artificial intelligence] are going to be everywhere.”

The words belong to Ramzi Asfour, the associate director of the Ingenuity Labs Research Institute at Queen’s University. Behind those words is an invitation: wondering what robotics and AI mean for your business? They can help you find out.

Founded in 2018, Ingenuity Labs offers researchers opportunities to work with AI and robotics that they might not be able to undertake on their own. The institute’s airy, 12,000-square-foot open workspace offers room for them to work on AI and robotics, taking advantage of equipment owned by the institution, everything from an autonomous watercraft, to drones, to a twelve-

camera motion picture capture system.

For an early career researcher to purchase such equipment would be very costly and take a long time.

“If a researcher, inventor or company wants to use a piece of equipment and we have it,” says Asfour, “we have different access models to promote collaboration. We can have three or four teams working on a single piece of equipment. It doesn’t sit idle.”

Ingenuity Labs features two workshops, one for assembly and another for fabrication which features a laser cutter and three 3-D printers, one of which can embed carbon fibre in prints, making parts almost as strong as aluminum.

“We can do a lot here without having to send parts off to be machined,” says Asfour. Ingenuity Labs is also building

out its own computer cluster to support research. This move has already saved AI researchers about $1.3M in 2022 to do leading-edge work.

Reflecting the idea that AI and robotics are going to be everywhere, Ingenuity Lab draws its 35 researchers and more than 100 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows from across Queen’s University: “We have members from engineering, computing science, the school of business, and rehabilitation therapy, as well as the faculties of arts and science, education, and law.”

These new researchers and graduate students carry out transformative experiments involving emerging technology, work that also trains them to serve the high-tech workforce industry needs.

And Ingenuity Labs is eager to extend their work beyond the university, to create partnerships with private-sector companies.

“If you need robotic and AI solutions and talent,” Asfour says, “come to us.”

Their work has potential applications in a number of fields, from the maritime industry, health, defence and Industry 4.0, advanced manufacturing and fields like construction and other areas, where robots may help overcome a chronic labour shortage. And he’s quick to point out that it’s not just about engineering: “Our group is creating AI-based legal tools to better settle conflicts in a timely manner.”

His word to anyone even curious about the uses of AI and robotics?

“Come visit us, check out our space, because once you do, you’ll understand what we could do for your business.”

Interested in partnering with Ingenuity Labs or other Queen’s researchers?

Queen’s Partnerships and Innovation can help you connect with the right people and the right ideas. For further information, contact our Senior Director, Research and Innovation Partnerships kelly.nolan@queensu.ca.

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PARTNER: UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA

TRAVERSAL: A partnership-driven program to bridge talent gaps in the autonomous technology sector With today’s increasingly fast-paced technological advances, the emergence of autonomous vehicles on our roads and in the air is becoming more science than science fiction every day. So, it’s easy to anticipate a day when selfdriving cars will relieve us all from the stress and tedium of our daily commutes.

But before we get there, greater technological refinement is required and more qualified and skilled people will need training to conceptualize, develop, and deploy the right technologies.

To meet this challenge, University of Ottawa researcher Burak Kantarci, in collaboration with partners from industry and academia, launched the Training and Research in Autonomous Vehicles for Reliable Services in the Air and on Land (TRAVERSAL) program. This program is led out of the Smart Connected Vehicle Innovation Centre (SCVIC), a research and training facility that Dr. Kantarci founded at the uOttawa Kanata North campus in 2021. The SCVIC is the first and only academic-industry driven research laboratory located in Canada’s largest technology hub.

Tailored to postdocs and students enrolled in graduate programs, TRAVERSAL focuses on technological and professional skill development, as well as training for technology readiness and productization in fields related to autonomous technologies, with the goal of maintaining an eye toward long-term impact and sustainability.

This program is intended to capture the 5G/6G-enabled, fast and accurate sensing-driven, responsible and AIdriven aspects of autonomous vehicles on land and in the air. It will bridge uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) and autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies

with human factor elements, quantum sensing, technology management, and legal and regulatory dimensions, under the supervision and guidance of a stellar team of experts from diverse disciplines and sectors. Collectively, the program intends to support over 130 trainees over the course of six years.

PARTNERSHIPS AT ITS CORE The TRAVERSAL program is partnering with leading companies, some of which are located in the Kanata North tech park. Among the key partners include Irdeto and Aurrigo, located in Kanata North, as well as others from across Canada, including Quanser and Wedge Networks. These partners will play a key role in guiding TRAVERSAL’s evolving programming to ensure it remain relevant to the needs of industry.

They will also be instrumental in providing impactful experiential learning opportunities to each trainees.

Area X.O, another partner, will grant trainees access to their integrated smart city/vehicle-to-everything (V2X) living lab and AV public and private test facility.

In addition to its industrial collaborators and partners, TRAVERSAL brings together experts from the University of Toronto (a fellow Hub350 partner), Memorial University and the Université de Sherbrooke. Dr. Kantarci aims to develop an inclusive training environment to address existing knowledge gaps and meet the needs of a large and diverse cohort of trainees.

TRAVERSAL also connects numerous uOttawa faculties, making it a highly interdisciplinary program. “In keeping with uOttawa’s interdisciplinary

approach to research and training, this initiative is run by experts from engineering, science, business school and law. It’s one of many features that set the program apart from what’s being done elsewhere,” says Dr. Kantarci, a professor with uOttawa’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Faculty of Engineering.

Managing a large-scale industryguided research and training program like this one is not new to uOttawa.

TRAVERSAL is one of eight programs currently offered to help meet the challenges found in high-demand industries, such as quantum, MedTech, and more.

“The University of Ottawa has demonstrated that it can play a significant role in training the next generation of highly qualified professionals in the high-tech sector, thanks to its numerous partnerships and initiatives across campuses, including Kanata North,” says Guy Levesque, Associate Vice-President, Innovation, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship at uOttawa. “This new initiative offers a unique, industry-relevant collaborative research and training experience in the largest tech park in Canada. Aligned with uOttawa’s strategic plan, Transformation 2030, we strive to be more impactful in our community by equipping future leaders with the right mindset and the right skills to identify important problems and solve them through innovative approaches.”

TRAVERSAL is supported by the Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) grant, a large-scale training grant awarded by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).

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PARTNER: ALGONQUIN COLLEGE

Emerging technologies at forefront of Future Aircrew Training Program Algonquin College continually seeks to expand its corporate partnership portfolio to provide opportunities for learners to reach their full potential. These partnerships encompass a range of initiatives, including philanthropic support through sponsorships and scholarships, enhancing employability via co-op work terms and hiring graduates, as well as collaborating on program development involving curriculum creation and career readiness.

An exciting new partnership is about to take off between Algonquin College and SkyAlyne, a new program bringing innovative strategies to train future Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilots, navigators, air sensor operators and aircrew. The Government of Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program will be delivered by SkyAlyne Canada, a partnership between CAE and KF Aerospace. Three training colleges located in Southport, Moosejaw and Winnipeg will train the RCAF pilots and aircrew, as well as provide inservice supports including aircraft, building and facility maintenance.

SkyAlyne will leverage future technologies and innovation to form a comprehensive solution to the FAcT Program, combining training with skills development, community relations and Indigenous partnerships.

Training modules require the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and advanced data analytics.

SkyAlyne and military instructors will fly alongside the students

during simulated and practical training activities.

A community relations plan will be implemented alongside training and skills development. The FAcT Program requires five per cent of subcontracts be awarded to Indigenous businesses, which SkyAlyne far exceeds as Indigenous engagement and partnerships is a cornerstone of their proposal. Community partnerships – with organizations such as Algonquin College – will be formed in the coming years as SkyAlyne explores collaborative opportunities to support the FAcT Program’s workforce.

“The nucleus of the program is going to be the National Capital Region. Postsecondary students may be interested in the opportunities that are going to come from this program,” said Mat Stone, User Experience and Communications Lead at SkyAlyne. “We will be creating an ecosystem of training and innovation for career preparedness across the country through partnerships with postsecondary institutions, community organizations and Indigenous communities.”

SkyAlyne will be joining the connected innovation community at Hub350, part of the Kanata North Business Association (KNBA).

Algonquin College’s partnership with KNBA and Hub350 will provide a valuable industry connection for students when the FAcT Program expands to offer co-op work terms and employment opportunities for recent graduates.

Algonquin College looks forward to working collaboratively with SkyAlyne

and the future opportunities for learners from the Aviation Management and the Aircraft Maintenance Technician programs, among others, to gain real-world experience within the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) sectors.

“The experience of collaborating and working on projects like SkyAlyne is beneficial for students because this is an applied research project where students will acquire real workplace experience,” said Philip Dawe, Director of Applied Research at Algonquin College. “The College is a very good position to train and provide graduates with the skills necessary for the STEM sectors.”

The current RCAF training programs expire in 2027 and 2028, at which point SkyAlyne will take over.

Until then, SkyAlyne is focusing on fulfilling business objectives through partnership development, key position recruiting and facilitating a smooth transition from the current programs.

Learn more about co-operative education, applied research initiatives and corporate training opportunities at Algonquin College.

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WHAT WE’RE GEEKING OUT ON

Hub350 x L-SPARK Living Lab Accelerator continues to showcase Kanata North as launch pad for innovation The Kanata North Business Association (KNBA) and Hub350 partnered with L-SPARK, a leading technology and business accelerator, to create the Living Lab Accelerator in 2022 with the aim of accelerating customer adoption and real-world deployment of 5G and next-generation technology solutions that support the Kanata North community’s live, work, play, learn and innovate lifestyles.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with KNBA to build on the success of last year’s pilot program and engage even more of the Kanata North community in 2023,” said Elza Seregelyi, L-SPARK Program Director.

This year, the program drew applicants from across Canada as well as startups right here in Kanata.

“Since a key objective of the Accelerator is for startups to deploy their innovations in Kanata North, the challenge was to find a way to connect the startups with potential pilot partners in the Tech Park – so we created a special pitch event to facilitate connections.”

Eleven companies from across Canada presented their solutions at the first-of-its kind Living Lab pitch and networking event held at Hub350 in May. There was much enthusiasm on all sides, with impromptu conversations leading to ideas for business collaborations.

In the end, five companies were selected to participate in the second Accelerator cohort, each having engaged with partners in Kanata North to pilot their solutions.

THE 2023 COHORT Since the program kick-off in June, the companies have been working to deploy their solutions locally as well as to further strengthen their businesses with the support of an L-SPARK mentor.

The companies in this year’s program come from Calgary to Halifax, including Kanata, and have solutions including artificial intelligence and autonomous driving technologies. Here are some of the things they are working on: Aurrigo Aurrigo.com Aurrigo is a maker of self-driving pods and shuttles, providing sustainable mobility solutions for settings including airports, university and industrial campuses. They engaged with KNBA and the Living Lab to explore the potential for Kanata North to be the site of their first autonomous shuttle in North America.

B-Line B-line.io B-Line is an innovative smart building platform, and is partnering with Kanata North hospitality cornerstone, The Brookstreet Hotel, on a pilot to support the digital transformation of their guest experience.

METI microengineering.ca METI, or Micro Engineering Tech Inc., leverages 5G mmWave technology for pioneering autonomous vehicle navigation solutions. In collaboration with Area X.O and other partners in the Tech Park, METI’s goal is to showcase the wide range of applications that their 5G AI sensor fusion navigation solutions can bring to the autonomous vehicle industry.

Soralink Soralink.co Soralink offers a solution for real time industrial machine monitoring and predictive maintenance. Operating on the 5G network, their sensor and cloud-based AI software are ideal for businesses that need to avoid costly downtime - like Kanata’s own Calabogie Brewing Co. Soralink’s solution is helping the team at Calabogie monitor equipment vital to their production process - and keep the taps flowing.

Zendelity Zendelity.com Zendelity automates the communication of operating procedures, enhances visibility, and offers real-time compliance monitoring.

As part of the Living Lab Accelerator, Zendelity has initiated pilots with Lepine Apartments as well as other partners to deploy their Command Center solution, which will support fire and health and safety compliance.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE LIVING LAB? “The goal for KNBA has always been to create an environment for business success, building on the passion for technology and innovation that exists here in Canada’s Largest Technology Park,” explains Amanda Gordon, KNBA Interim CEO. “As the name suggests, the Living Lab Accelerator will continue to support experiments and learning in order to nurture Kanata North as a launching pad for innovation and to foster the business-tobusiness connections that help these innovations scale.”

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WHAT WE’RE GEEKING OUT ON BLUWAVE-AI IS TAKING THE POWER GRID FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH NEW EV FLIGHT TEST CENTRE Kanata North’s BluWave-ai recently launched an initiative that will ensure power grids around the world keep humming as more electric vehicles (EVs) hit the road.

The Ottawa-based EV Flight Test Centre was created to give BluWaveai’s customers a way to test their charging products before they go live.

While the flight test center’s core operations are in Ottawa, the product can connect remotely to charger systems anywhere in the world and test optimization solutions.

The core hardware is located at BluWave-ai’s headquarters with a variety of brands of EV chargers while the software runs on the cloud agnostic of the charger brand. Free charging is provided for employees and visitors with EVs in exchange for data on vehicle charging while on site.

Utility companies will now have a tool to assess their infrastructure needs on an ongoing basis, given that continuous investment in grid upgrades will be needed as EV rollouts scale.

“PowerON is delivering electrification solutions to transit and commercial fleet operators across North America, ” said Keegan Tully, managing director at PowerON Energy Solutions. “With the BluWaveai EV flight test center, we are able to simulate depot operations in the BluWave-ai cloud, connected to real chargers in their labs. This allows us to de-risk and fully guarantee the performance of the system before chargers go live.”

BluWave.ai’s customers don’t have the equipment to do the required testing and the EV Flight Test Centre solves that problem. By anticipating and understanding new demands for electric power, BluWave.ai is helping their customers strategically plan infrastructure development.

Solink raises US $60M series-C round By: David Sali Ottawa-based Solink has raised US$60 million in fresh venture capital as it sets its long-term sights on going public amid massive growth.

The video surveillance software company announced in July it has closed a series-C round led by Goldman Sachs Asset Management with participation from existing investors OMERS Ventures and BDC IT Ventures.

Solink’s technology is used in more than 18,000 locations around the world.

Its artificial-intelligence platform stores data from security cameras in the cloud, allowing customers such as restaurants, manufacturers, property managers, cannabis producers and hotels to quickly search and analyze video.

Since it was founded in 2009, Solink has developed a reputation as a trailblazer in the fast-growing video surveillance space. The firm is “the up-and-coming leader in a market undergoing a rapid transition to the cloud and modernized solutions,” Mike Reilly, a vice-president in Goldman Sachs’ equity growth business, said in a statement.

Solink’s revenues have been growing at between 70 and 80 per cent a year as cloud-based video technology rapidly becomes the new industry standard.

According to market research firm Novaira Insights, the number of security cameras connected to the cloud is forecasted to rise by 80 per cent a year.

“We weren’t looking at fundraising at all,” Solink CEO Mike Matta said in a recent interview. “We were heads down, focused, we had cash in the bank. I think the benefit of not looking is that everyone comes looking for you.

We had a lot of interest from various parties and we kept kind of shooing them away.”

Until Goldman came calling, that is.

Matta said he was impressed with the investment firm’s forward-thinking approach.

“They showed us a path that’s not just for 12, 18 months, but a path of four, five, six years. There’s certain muscle that you need to build within the business, and you need to plan for it today. You can’t just kind of think it’s magically going to happen.”

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KANATA NORTH

The future of Canadian tech growth lies in ecosystem innovation Flying drones. Self-driving cars. Artificial Intelligence. Satellites in space. These are just a few of the advanced technology solutions coming out of Kanata North, and they’re shaping the future of tech.

Powered by the Globe and Mail

I

n 2021, the information and technology sector outperformed the overall Canadian economy with an annual growth rate of 5 per cent compared to 1.6 per cent, according to statistics from the Government of Canada. Information and communications technology (ICT) also saw more investment in innovation, with over $10.3 billion in R&D spending.

With all of that growth and investment, it’s no surprise the Canadian technology industry is continuing to expand, at a time when other significant industries – like mining and natural resources – are declining.

While tech layoffs have been a harsh reality and the global competition for top talent is fierce, employment

numbers in Kanata North, Canada’s largest technology park, have steadily increased by over 1,000 annually for three consecutive years. And with ICT workers earning salaries that are 52.5 per cent higher than the national average, the sector is enticing the global talent it needs to keep scaling up.

But sustaining this trend will take strategic foresight and innovation.

That’s what the Kanata North Business Association (KNBA) team and Board of Directors continue to prioritize.

With more than 540 companies spanning more than ten sub-sectors of high-tech industries, Kanata North brings in over $13 billion to Canada’s GDP each year. But according to its members, the secret of the region’s

success lies in its mature and connected ecosystem.

Ibrahim Gedeon, chief technology officer of TELUS, says, “Visibility is the starting point. There is an existing ideation, incubation, and acceleration ecosystem that KNBA offers to Canadian tech companies.”

The virtual, physical gateway, and metaphorical heart of that ecosystem is Hub350, which opened its doors in 2021. Hub350 serves as more than a co-working space, in partnership with over 40+ corporate, post-secondary academic institutions, government and finance partners, Hub350 aims to create a connected innovation community and “world class 5G hub”. It is a centre for collaboration and technological

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KANATA NORTH advancement in the region, offering collaborative spaces, communitybuilding programming, a media studio, and even an Innovation Zone.

Powered by the TELUS 5G network, KNBA’s purpose-built Innovation Zone is “a place where ideas can be explored, and new products, services, and companies can be incubated,” Gedeon explains. It’s also where KNBA members can develop and test their new technology for real-world applications, while fueling and expanding the entire park as an essential step in attracting people and companies to Kanata North.

“The TELUS 5G Innovation Zone provides entrepreneurs with the very best experience to test drive their businesses without the need for relocating to other countries, preventing brain drain and retaining Made-In-Canada solutions,” he says.

As such, Hub350′s location is a benefit to the community, too. “Being situated so close to Parliament, Hub350 also gives our political leaders a front-row seat to the important work being done, encouraging policies that foster the innovation and investment landscape and further expedite the technologies of today and for the future,” Gedeon says.

FINDING OPPORTUNITY AND INSPIRATION AT HUB350 While Hub350 is ideally located to capture emerging 5G breakthroughs in a variety of industries, it also has a lock on research and innovation via its unparalleled relationships with leading academic institutions like the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Queen’s University, and Algonquin College.

As the purpose-built innovation space for the post-secondary institutions, Hub350 acts as a magnet for business leaders from around the world, particularly in tech fields. It’s the contemporary evolution of Kanata North’s storied history as a destination that international tech talent flocks to for industry-leading opportunity.

KNBA is working diligently to attract even more talent, as well as tech companies in every phase of development from start-up to enterprise level. One new entrant into the Kanata North business park in the past two years is Fullscript, an Ottawabased health startup that makes it easier for practitioners to prescribe and dispense wellness supplements.

After expanding to over 350 employees, Fullscript opened its new office in Kanata North.

It was a strategic move that, according to CEO Kyle Braatz, made sense for the organization.

The park also creates experiences

“Visibility is the starting point.

There is an existing ideation, incubation, and acceleration ecosystem that KNBA offers to Canadian tech companies.” and environments that enable teammates to do their best work. “I think that’s why Ottawa has been able to produce such impactful companies,” adds Braatz. “It’s because of these communities, and it’s the inspiration you get from other entrepreneurs and builders. We gravitate towards each other, and we take just as much pride in seeing others succeed as seeing yourself and your team succeed.”

PARTNERSHIPS THAT SUPPORT INNOVATION Robust talent attraction, investment in R&D and access to funding opportunities are key pillars of a flourishing and self-sustaining business ecosystem. Royal Bank’s RBCx – the financial anchor partner for Hub350 – brings innovative financial services and expertise expressly for technology entrepreneurs to the park.

Tony Barkett, head of RBCx, calls it “a one-stop shop” for KNBA partners.

“Providing a hub where everyone can come to collaborate in a world that’s becoming more and more virtual, actually bringing everyone together, I think is going to help (companies) scale faster,” Barkett says. “RBCx is helping to facilitate the success of its companies at every stage, from a product and service standpoint.”

It’s this full-service support that drives innovation for all members of KNBA and Hub350. “There are finance partners, academic partners, corporate partners, media partners, there are all these partners brought in to really help companies build that foundation, to put them in the best position to scale not only within Canada, but globally,” Barkett says.

Gedeon and Braatz agree with the sentiment that this community-driven, self-supporting ecosystem has all the right tools for Canadian innovators to go global. The ability to create success stories fosters a cycle of achievement, which has empowered the tech park to breed new ideas, companies, and innovations since its grassroots beginnings in the 1970s.

“Kanata North will continue to be a catalyst for innovative Canadian-led solutions, which has a knock-on effect of attracting a lot of talent,” Gedeon says. Innovation unlocks barriers, he adds. “Kanata North businesses are creating solutions to real-world problems on the cutting edge.”

What’s next for this vibrant community? Kanata North looks to a future with mixed-use residential and commercial buildings taking shape in the park. The building of space and programming where talent can engage with industry, academic, and corporate partners to solve real world problems is the North Star for the region. This is a time of innovation, development, and growth for Canada’s largest technology park.

As Braatz notes, “This is a place that’s going to continue to produce world-class companies, not just national success stories.”

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WHERE WE WORK

Alphawave Semi’s new Kanata North HQ bolsters Canada’s tech growth It’s not every day that a company doubles its office in size. But Alphawave Semi has done just that – and that requires some new digs in Kanata North.

The semiconductor company announced the establishment of its new, 20,000-square-foot facility on March Road, which will be home to 200 employees – a 100 per cent increase in headcount from a year ago.

In a recent interview, CEO Tony Pialis said the company’s decision to expand its Ottawa foothold was part of a concerted effort to be a positive impact on Canada’s technology industry.

“We’re incredibly excited about our expansion in Ottawa. It’s a city that has a rich history in technology and a thriving tech community. The talent we’ve found

here has been instrumental in fueling our company’s growth and success,” he said.

He added that while many Canadian tech firms move to the U.S., or are purchased by larger Silicon Valley venture capitalists, he has worked hard to keep the company rooted in Canada, while it grows globally.

“We’ve been looking for a location with a vibrant ecosystem of technology companies, research institutions, and startups. Kanata offers all of these and more, making it the ideal place for us to establish our new headquarters,” Pialis said.

“We are thrilled to join the thriving tech community in Kanata and believe our presence here will contribute to its ongoing growth. We look forward

to creating new job opportunities and working closely with local companies and institutions to foster innovation.”

A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME FOR ALPHAWAVE SEMI The company’s expansion in Kanata demonstrates Canada’s ability to attract world-class technology firms and further solidifies its position as a global player in the tech industry, he added.

As demand for high-speed connectivity continues to rise, driven by IoT, 5G, and AI applications, Alphawave Semi’s position as a trusted provider of high-performance connectivity solutions is solidifying.

By investing in cutting-edge infrastructure and cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment, the company aims to inspire further growth and strengthen its position as a global leader in the semiconductor industry, Pialis said.

Speaking about the new 20,000-square-foot facility, which has more than 4,000 square feet of laboratory space, Pialis highlighted its inclusive design, stating, “We believe that a diverse and inclusive environment will foster innovation and collaboration within our team, as well as with the wider Kanata tech community.”

Pialis expressed optimism for the future, saying, “As we continue to expand and innovate, we are confident that our new home in Kanata will be a catalyst for the region’s ongoing success and help cement Canada’s reputation as a hub for technological advancement.”

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WHERE WE WORK

It’s lights, cameras, action at Hub350’s new digital media lab Canada’s largest tech park now has the capacity to tell its companies’ stories to the world.

The Kanata North Business Association unveiled the newest, brightest jewel in its crown: a state-ofthe-art broadcast studio at Hub350, The Ross Video Digital Media Lab. Ottawa-based Ross Video partnered with KNBA to provide a complete video production system that will allow the organization to promote innovation and live broadcast news, events, and experiential learning opportunities.

“To keep up the momentum, we need to promote the cutting edge technology being promoted in the region. The more we can enthusiastically promote our

community and what we do here, the more we can attract and keep the best and the brightest,” David Ross, CEO of Ross Video, said at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Ross also pointed to the KNBA’s partnership with Ottawa’s postsecondary institutions, and said the media lab would be beneficial to them also.

“Ottawa has some of the top minds in academia and that means we have the top minds in the industry. The media lab will be an important tool to provide students with hands-on experience in broadcast technology and it will give them the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge,” Ross said.

TECH LEADERS LOOK TO THE SKY FOR CANADA’S NEXT BIG OPPORTUNITY

“You should care because this will ultimately touch you, and affect your lives,” he said. “Space is connecting the world.”

Space may be the final frontier, but it’s also one filled with opportunity for Kanata North’s tech companies.

That was the message from Ian McLeod, vice-president of corporate development at MDA, at a recent Tech Tuesday, hosted by Wesley Clover.

In his presentation to a packed crowd of more than 350 people at the Marshes Golf Club, McLeod highlighted the significant role Canada has played – and continues to play in the space industry.

McLeod said space technology has become a vital part of our lives, from GPS navigation to satellite broadcasting, and its importance will only increase as we aim to connect the world and tackle global challenges such as climate change.

Where opportunity lies for space tech The commercialization of space activities presents significant opportunities for Canadian innovation.

MDA, for example, has a satellite systems group that is building the next generation of direct-to-device innovation for Apple.

Apple’s direct device technology is currently designed for emergencies, said McLeod.

“The big vision is that you don’t care where cell towers are anymore, because you can just point your phone to the sky.”

MDA’s GeoIntelligence group is also focused on radar imaging. They are developing the next generation of radar satellites, which McLeod said will be

Sir Terry Matthews was also at the opening, and said the media lab added another opportunity for Kanata’s tech companies to get their message out.

“To have the ability in this park, to have professional video presentations, whether they are annual general meetings or quarterly meetings, this is the way the world is today,” Matthews said.

KNBA’s member companies will be able to access the Digital Media lab and studio to deliver virtual customer events, user conferences, and industry leadership keynotes.

a true commercial mission developed entirely by MDA. Meanwhile, the Space Operations group is working on Canadarm Three for the Lunar Gateway and is planning to commercialize the technology.

McLeod noted in his presentation that the Canadian government is also recognizing the importance of the space industry and is investing in its growth. The Horizons conference to be hosted in Ottawa will bring together industry and government to discuss future plans, sparking even more collaboration and discussion in the sector, he added.

Speaking on the growth in the sector, McLeod wrapped up, noting that Space Canada, the industry association for the Canadian space sector – and which MDA was one of nine founding members in 2022 – now has more than 50 members all working to further Canada’s presence as innovator to the stars.

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The Gateway to Canada’s largest technology park.

350 Legget Drive, Kanata, Ontario

TM

FOUNDATION WCPD

www.hub350.com

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