Ottawa, ON, November 19, 2008 – OCRI, Ottawa’s lead economic development agency is pleased to welcome two start-ups into the Business Accelerator. Just months after the successful graduation of IPeak Networks from the program and into market, Cognilore Information Solutions Inc. and Base 10 Web Solutions have moved into the OCRI premises and are fully engaged in the program. Both companies have been identified as having a very high potential for success and exhibit technology innovations that meet specific market needs for the customers they are trying to serve.
OCRI’s Business Accelerator is a merit-based program that matches some of Ottawa’s most promising companies to an industry mentor and provides them with access to all of OCRI’s services for up to one year. Since completing the program in mid-2008, the first graduate, IPeak Networks, has expanded from two to nine full time staff and recently hired a Vice President of Sales, added an additional developer, launched a new VoIP trial, and secured two strategic partners.
“The companies we choose for this program must be able to demonstrate that they are on track to succeed strategically and show that they are willing to leverage and take full advantage of the resources and mentors that will be available to them through OCRI’s Business Accelerator,” explains Michelle Scarborough, Vice President, Investment and Commercialization, OCRI. “The executive teams of both Cognilore and Base 10 are absolutely driven to build successful enterprises and are prepared for the hard work ahead of them.” Ms. Scarborough adds that both companies are exploring unique approaches to financing and have the potential to change the way in which business is currently done in their key markets.
Base 10 Web Solutions, Inc. offers Internet marketing services to sellers of real estate, primarily via its flagship product UniqueHomeSites.com which can be described as a single property website service, a set of web-based tools allowing sellers of real estate to quickly and easily create a website dedicated to an individual property listing. Base 10 is focused on increasing product sales to drive revenues and secure financing to expedite growth. Kevin Bozzo, President of Base 10 Web Solutions believes that OCRI’s Business Accelerator is the perfect fit for their business. “Our company has put in over three years of research and development into our product and we are ready to expand our customer base to the national level,” Mr. Bozzo adds. “I look forward to learning from the wealth of marketing, financing and strategic expertise that is now at our disposal here at OCRI.”
CogniLore Information Solutions delivers publishing management tools and services that make the online delivery of commercial content secure and easy. CogniLore systems allows major publishers, corporations, and government clients to publish innovative new legal, business, and information titles online – delivering subscriptions to thousands of organizations across North America. The company is dramatically increasing its sales and marketing efforts to strategically move into the global marketplace. “The success we’ve experienced in delivering solutions to our clients has led to tremendous growth potential for us, but managing that growth can be one of greatest challenges faced by any company.” explains Andre Dube, president of CogniLore Information Solutions. “With OCRI’s guidance in refining our marketing, planning, and product positioning, I feel that we will be prepared to begin discussing partnerships with potential investors over the course of the program.”
Through the Business Accelerator program, participating companies have access to all of OCRI’s services, including: one-on-one team coaching; in-depth market analysis; corporate services including reception, phone, fax, and access to basic office equipment; networking events ; office space and access to meeting and board rooms; a one year OCRI membership; free registration to attend Entrepreneur’s Edge and two other OCRI events; and facilitated access to OCRI’s global network of investors including access to angel groups across Canada, global venture capital, public markets and other forms of capital suitable to the company and stage of development.
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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 information contact:
Kim Cunningham
Manager, External Communications
OCRI
Office: (613) 828-6274 ext. 256
Cell: (613) 851-0768
kcunningham@ocri.ca
