Q-News

September 2009

Not Much News to Report…But Lots of Things to Do

Posted in Mike's Commentary

While I would say that September’s results are disappointing, it is positive to see foreign investment in a number of Canadian companies.  Montreal-based Enobia Pharma closed a US$50 million C round, Burnaby BC-based General Fusion raised $22 million and Toronto-based CoveritLive received a strategic investment from California-based Demand MediaTM.  To some degree it’s sad that we have to highlight three investments as being positive notes for the month but we’ll take what we can in the current funding environment.

 

We have also heard on the street that Edgestone, Growthworks and BDC are working on transactions, which is positive news, particularly since we have not seen much activity lately from BDC and Edgestone. 

 

Just a quick heads up that the Canadian Innovation Exchange has set its date for December 2nd at the Design Exchange in Toronto.  It should be an interesting event with featured speakers such as Sir Terry Matthews (Chairman of Wesley Clover, Mitel and March Networks), Don Dodge (Director of Business Development, Emerging Business Team, Microsoft Corp.) and the ever entertaining and insightful Duncan Stewart (Director, Technology, Media and Telecommunications Research, Deloitte Canada).  This year CIX is looking to profile and present the top 20 technology and cleantech companies from across the country so if you would like to have your company participate please get in touch with the organizers.

 

From September 29th to October 1st the 13th annual Ottawa Venture & Technology Summit will take place at the Fairmount Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa. The event should be an excellent networking opportunity with the keynote speaker being Steve Woods, Site Director of Google, as well as a full slate of panel discussions and presenting companies.

 

ISCM has an upcoming New Media Gathering scheduled for October 2nd and for those early stage companies looking for access to free counseling and services you should really get in touch with them.

 

Mobile Monday’s next event will be held at MaRS Discovery District on October 5th.  The topic will be “Canadian Leadership in Mobile and Communications” with discussion by Karna Gupta and Bob Ferchat.  Bob is retired but was CEO of Northern Telecom in the 80s and CEO of Bell Mobility in the 90s.  Karna was President of Comverse Billing Solutions and CEO of Certicomm, until he arranged their sale four months ago.

 

Lastly, the York Technology Association has been really pusking for new members.  They are one of the few monthly meeting organizations well worth attending, with good speakers and topics and great networking.  Check them out and get involved.

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