Local student entrepreneurs launch 23 new Summer Companies

OTTAWA, ON, July 2, 2008 – Ottawa-area students have been selected to participate in this year’s Summer Company Program. Now in its eighth year, the province-wide program will help over 500 young entrepreneurs launch and manage successful summer businesses across Ontario. Participation in Ottawa has increased by more than 75 per cent this year, up to 23 from only 13 companies last summer. Summer Company, delivered through OCRI’s Entrepreneurship Centre, is an initiative of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade designed to help young entrepreneurs develop, plan and execute a successful business venture.

“The instinctive business skills and personal commitment that these young entrepreneurs possess set an excellent example for entrepreneurs of all ages. They clearly demonstrate the vision and dedication required to operate a successful company,” says Stephen Daze, Executive Director, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, OCRI. “Even though the program lasts only a few months, Summer Company helps students develop transferable business skills that will last a life time. Whether these students choose to keep their businesses going or pick it up again after finishing school, we are confident that their experience this summer will give them a solid base from which to launch their next big idea.”

Participants are eligible for up to $3,000 to ease start-up expenses including $1,500 awarded upon the successful completion of the program and return to school. Students are selected based on the quality of their business plan and their personal commitment to their vision. In addition to the funding, these young entrepreneurs will receive strategic business assistance as well as one-on-one support and advice from mentors as part of the Summer Company Program. Carefully selected mentors work closely with each student and share their unique insight and expertise. This year’s list of mentors includes a banker, accountant, lawyer, sales professional, marketer, strategist, etiquette advisor, former summer company participant, and successful local entrepreneur. The Summer Company Program is an extension of the services available through the Entrepreneurship Centre and OCRI’s efforts to help people start and grow successful small businesses in Ottawa.

Jennifer Sarumi, founder of The Everything Girls, which operates out of Barrhaven, dreamed of running a thriving business even before entering university. She says “The mentors and weekly meetings combined with business support from the OCRI team really help us adjust to the steep learning curve faced by entrepreneurs. Thanks to the Summer Company Program, I’m confident that by the end of August I will have gained a sufficient knowledge-base and network to grow The Everything Girls into the great service company I know it has the potential to be.”

Anyone interested in supporting new entrepreneurial ventures and the young people in charge – look no further. The following new companies are up and running, and ready to share their expertise and services:

Jennifer Sarumi (24), Carleton University
The Everything Girls – Personal assistance and temporary staffing solutions
Barrhaven West

Joshua Lohuis (22), Carleton University
Homework Experts – Home and property improvement services
Centretown

Melissa Oswald (19), Carleton University
3am Poems – Unique clothing designs which are flattering on all body shapes
Centretown

Alexander Massaad (22), Carleton University
ATAM Productions – Magical entertainment for private parties
Centretown

Adam Wang (17) Lisgar Collegiate Institute
WP Industries – Aquarium and fishing supplies, including bait, at a discounted price
Gloucester

Matthew Stanton (20), Trent University
Student Window Cleaning and Lawn Maintenance
Kanata

Bafuor Bosompra (18), Carleton University
BadHabits clothing line
Kanata

Jordan Filoso (20), Algonquin College
Grass Gurus – Professional landscaping company
Kanata

Cal McDonald (21), University of Ottawa
Steadfast Construction – Residential deck and fence building services
Kanata

Remi Poupart (20), University of Ottawa
Imperial Residential Cleaning – Window cleaning, eavestrough cleaning, pressure cleaning and basic lawn/property care
Kanata

Anita Ehui (18), Mother Teresa High School
Freakum Dress Couture – Online boutique inspired by celebrity style icons
Nepean

Jonathan Sells (21), University of Western Ontario
Cathartic Design – Affordable media and communications solutions
Nepean

Colin Arratoon-Roy (17), Merivale High School
Elegance-fine wood jewelry – Hand-made wooden jewelry
Nepean

Leonardo Guerrero (26), Carleton University
UP Design – Graphic design services for other new and small businesses
Nepean

Kevin Lee (17), Mother Teresa High School
SteadFast Process Service – Court-paper serving business
Nepean

Alexander Nelson (15), Nepean High School
Kotton Kandy – Freshly made cotton candy, drinks, and glowing sticks at local summer festivals, and other public gatherings
Nepean

Kaylee Cameron (18), Lisgar Collegiate Institute
Harmony by Analogy – Original jewelry made by reconstructing old, vintage jewelry and mixing with new and more modern materials
Orleans

Kirk Davies (19), All Saints Catholic High School
All Strings Attached – Home-based tennis racquet stringing business
Orleans

Nancy Pugliese (26), St. Matthew High School
Clearview Auto and Window Cleaning – Window washing service for both residential and businesses
Orleans

Nigel Kay (20), Carleton University
Legendary Lawns – Property maintenance and lawn care solutions
South End, Alta Vista

Pouya Keshtgani (21), University of Ottawa
PARSUA Clothing – Upscale designer clothing line targeted at males and female between the ages of 18 and 44
South End, Elmvale

Taylor Davis (20), Dalhousie University
PhDLawncare – Driveway sealing, lawn mowing, aeration and seeding services
South End, Hunt Club

Ekaterina Shestakova(21), University of Ottawa
Once Upon a Kingdom Theatre Studio – Summer Day Camp aimed at children’s education through the study of theatrical theory and practice
Westboro

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About OCRI:
Leading the way for Ottawa, OCRI is the city’s economic development agency. OCRI is the rallying point to bring business, education, research and talent together to create the winning economic conditions that allow Ottawa’s knowledge-based companies to thrive locally and compete globally. At OCRI we promote sustainable economic development to maintain our high quality of life. For more information on OCRI visit our website at www.ocri.ca and for more information on the Ottawa Region please visit www.ottawaregion.com.

French speaking summer company students are available for interviews.

For more information please contact:
Kim Cunningham
Manager, External Communications
OCRI
Business: (613) 828 6274 ext.256
Cell: (613) 851 0768
Email: kcunningham@ocri.ca

Cleantech, life science and technology companies encouraged to apply for Canada’s Top 10TM Competition

Ottawa, ON June 10, 2009 – Eligible cleantech, life science and technology companies are invited to apply to The Canada’s Top 10™ Competition. Now in its 10th year, Canada’s Top 10TM Competition promotes the 10 most promising companies from each of the following three sectors: life science, cleantech and technology, from across Canada to Canadian and international investors and partners. Winners are chosen by an independent expert panel of Canadian and U.S. venture capitalists.

“At OCRI we believe strongly in the value of partnerships and forging new relationships that lead to successful collaborations” explains Claude Haw, President and CEO, OCRI. “Canada’s Top Ten TM Competition helps the best early stage companies from three key sectors make important connections with potential investors and strategic partners from Canada, the U.S. and around the world. The financial challenges faced by emerging companies can be mitigated by being fully prepared to meet key investors at the right time. In addition to celebrating Canadian success stories, this competition helps make those connections for the winners.”

Winning companies receive exposure to international investors and industry insiders. Current winners and alumni have secured more than $522M in venture capital financing. Winners and alumni have access to:

• coaching clinics;
• investment forums and road show to expose Canada’s elite companies to U.S. and Canadian VC investors, licensing executives and potential strategic partners;
• ongoing support for business development and investment readiness; and
• an opportunity to present at this year’s Ottawa Venture & Technology Summit (OVTS).

In May, I Love Rewards Inc., one of Canada’s Top 10TM Technology companies in 2008 and North America’s fastest growing rewards and recognition program provider announced that it secured $6.9 million in Series B financing led by GrandBanks Capital, a Boston-based venture capital firm. Razor Suleman. Founder and CEO says “Participating in Canada’s Top 10 for the past two years was key in helping I Love Rewards prepare for and secure a successful series B financing round with a U.S.-based venture capital firm.”

To be eligible, applicants must:

• be a life sciences, cleantech or technology company incorporated in Canada with head office in Canada;
• be either a private company or a public company with a market capitalization no more than $150 million;
• be actively seeking financing (equity or debt) between $2 million and $50 million and/or strategic alliances; and
• submit a complete application including business plan summary and financial information.

Applications will be accepted beginning June 10, 2009 until July 31, 2009. Winners will be announced in September. Additional information, full criteria and the application form can be found at www.topcanadiancompanies.ca

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About OCRI:

Leading the way for Ottawa, OCRI is the city’s economic development agency. OCRI is the rallying point to bring business, education, research and talent together to create the winning economic conditions that allow Ottawa’s knowledge-based companies to thrive locally and compete globally. At OCRI we promote sustainable economic development to maintain our high quality of life. For more information on OCRI visit our website at www.ocri.ca and for more information on the Ottawa Region please visit www.ottawaregion.com.

For more information, please contact:

Kim Cunningham
Manager, External Communications
OCRI
Office: (613) 828-6274 ext. 256
Cell: (613) 851-0768
Email: kcunningham@ocri.ca

Les entreprises de technologies propres, de sciences de la vie et de technologies sont invitées à participer au concours intitulé The Canada Top 10TM Competition (Les dix meilleures entreprises canadiennes)

Ottawa, Ontario, le 10 juin 2009 – Les entreprises de technologies propres, de sciences de la vie et de technologies sont invitées à participer au concours The Canada’s Top 10™ Competition. Maintenant vieux de 10 ans, le concours The Canada Top 10TM Competition fait la promotion des 10 entreprises les plus prometteuses pour chacun des trois secteurs suivants : les sciences de la vie, les technologies propres et les technologies à travers le Canada auprès d’investisseurs et de partenaires canadiens et internationaux. Les entreprises gagnantes sont choisies par un jury d’experts indépendants provenant de sociétés de capital de risque canadiennes et américaines.

« Au Centre de recherche et d’innovation d’Ottawa (OCRI), nous croyons fermement dans la valeur des partenariats et à l’importance de créer de nouvelles relations qui mènent à des collaborations fructueuses », explique Claude Haw, président et chef de la direction d’OCRI. « Le concours The Canada Top 10TM Competition aide les meilleures entreprises en phase de croissance de trois secteurs clés à établir des liens importants avec des investisseurs potentiels et des partenaires stratégiques du Canada, des États-Unis et d’à travers le monde. Les défis financiers auxquels les entreprises en phase de croissance sont confrontées peuvent être atténués si ces dernières sont bien préparées à rencontrer des investisseurs clés au moment opportun. En plus de célébrer les réussites canadiennes, ce concours aide les gagnants à établir ces liens. »
Les entreprises gagnantes bénéficient de l’accueil des investisseurs internationaux et des initiés de l’industrie. Les présentes et anciennes entreprises gagnantes ont obtenu à ce jour plus de 522 M$ en fonds de capital de risque. Les présentes et anciennes entreprises gagnantes ont accès :

• à des cliniques d’encadrement;
• à des forums d’investissement et à des tournées de présentation d’entreprises qui font partie de l’élite canadienne auprès d’investisseurs de capital de risque américains et canadiens, de cadres responsables de délivrance de brevets et de partenaires stratégiques potentiels;
• à un appui continu en matière de développement d’entreprise et de préparation à la phase d’investissement; et
• une occasion de participer au sommet Ottawa Venture & Technology Summit (OVTS) de cette année.

En mai dernier, I Love Rewards Inc., une entreprise du Canada’s Top 10TM Technology companies en 2008 et fournisseur de programmes de reconnaissance et de récompense qui connaît la plus forte croissance en Amérique du Nord, a annoncé qu’elle avait obtenu 6,9 millions de dollars en fonds de série B régis par GrandBanks Capital, une entreprise de capital de risque située à Boston. Razor Suleman, fondateur et PDG, a déclaré ce qui suit : « Notre participation au concours The Canada’s Top 10 Competition au cours des deux dernières années a été l’élément clé qui a aidé I Love Rewards à se préparer et à obtenir des fonds de série B d’une entreprise de capital de risque située aux États-Unis. »
Pour être admissible, les entreprises participantes doivent être :

• des entreprises de sciences de la vie, de technologies propres ou de technologies constituées en sociétés au Canada et avec siège social au Canada;
• des sociétés privées ou publiques avec une capitalisation boursière inférieure à 150 millions de dollars;
• activement à la recherche de fonds (par actions ou par emprunts) se situant entre 2 et 50 millions de dollars et ou d’alliances stratégiques; et
• prêtes à soumettre une demande complète, y compris un sommaire de plan d’affaires et des données financières.

Les demandes seront acceptées à compter du 10 juin 2009 et jusqu’au 31 juillet 2009. Les noms des entreprises gagnantes seront annoncés en septembre. On peut trouver les critères complets, des renseignements supplémentaires et un formulaire de demande dans le site www.topcanadiancompanies.ca

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À propos d’OCRI :

OCRI est la principale agence de développement économique à Ottawa. OCRI est le point de ralliement pour les secteurs des affaires, de l’éducation, de la recherche et du talent afin de créer les conditions économiques gagnantes qui permettent aux entreprises d’Ottawa axées sur le savoir de s’épanouir au niveau régional et d’être concurrentielles au niveau mondial. OCRI fait la promotion du développement économique durable afin de maintenir une qualité de vie supérieure pour la région. Pour de plus amples renseignements sur OCRI, veuillez visiter son site site Web à www.ocri.ca, et sur la région d’Ottawa, www.ottawaregion.com

Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements, veuillez communiquer avec :

Kim Cunningham
Gestionnaire des communications externes
OCRI
Bureau : (613) 828 6274, poste 256
Tél. cell : (613) 851 0768
Courriel : kcunningham@ocri.ca