Wikipedia defines social entrepreneurship as the work of a social entrepreneur.  So what exactly is a social entrepreneur?  Wikipedia goes on to define a social entrepreneur as "someone who recognizes a social problem and uses entrepreneurial principles to organize, create, and manage a venture to make social change."  We all recognize social problems when we see them, but even if our hearts are brimming with compassion, few of us have the amount time and resources that it takes to initiate any...

In a recent press release the Accelerator Centre announced the appointment of a new CEO. Tim Jackson will be joining the AC team on March 1, 2010.

The news has definitely created a buzz. Everyone seems to be talking, blogging and tweeting about it. I can't say I'm surprised by the amount of interest as both Tim Jackson and the Accelerator Centre are very high profile and both seem to get their share of press.

What does this mean for the AC and the current team? I've had the good fortune of...

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 - Waterloo

The Accelerator Centre is very pleased to see the growth of several of our Client companies. During the past month, no less than 8 AC start-ups have moved into larger spaces, taken on new employees, and/or received awards of distinction and secured funding. Karos Health, Kik and Clearpath Robotics are great examples of companies that are expanding their employee numbers and taking on co-op students to meet the busier demand on the original one or two...

Monday, January 4^th, 2010 - The Accelerator Centre is pleased to welcome Tracey Robertson and Andrew Wilding of Capacity Waterloo Region (CWR) to our building. Capacity Waterloo Region is a project of Tides Canada Initiatives, a National charity that helps reduce costs while providing critical resources to non-profits.

CWR is an outstanding pilot project that is providing much needed help to non-profit organizations in our community. Non-profits will benefit by having access to the same type of...

Good companies with great technology get funding.  Two AC Clients, DossierView and Tyromer, are a case in point.  Even in this rough economy, both companies have announced that they have secured financing with First Leaside Visions II Limited Partnership.

For DossierView, the announcement follows on the heels of another funding round with Golden Triangle Angelnet announced by the company on December 15, 2009.  DossierView leverages technology developed by Dr. Andrew Wong, a founder of the PAMI...

December 22^nd, 2009 - The Accelerator Centre is extremely proud to have received international recognition at the 8^th Annual Incubator Conference and Award. The Technology Network in cooperation with the Centre for Strategy and Evaluation Services, organize the annual awards for the "Best Science Based Incubator" The AC received 2^nd place honours in four different categories including Fastest Growth for New Incubators and Overall Winner for new Incubators. This marks the 2nd year in a row that...

November 23rd, 2009 - The Accelerator Centre is proud to announce the 2009 induction of Ian McPhee into the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. The following excerpt is taken from Mr. McPhee's introduction at the Gala dinner:

Ian McPhee - Watcom, Sybase, Waterloo Accelerator Centre 

Ian McPhee is a driving force in Waterloo Region's tech industry. 

A University of Waterloo graduate of mathematics and computer science, he worked in UW's Computer Systems Group from 1973-1981 with the late Professor Wes...

Waterloo, November 16, 2009 -- Entrepreneur Week is an invigorating week-long festival of events dedicated to celebrating the significant contributions of our greatest community asset - our entrepreneurs!

Waterloo Region is the best place in the world to do a tech startup. Just ask the 200 tech startups doing their thing here. And Entrepreneur Week is a festival unlike any other on the planet. Entrepreneur Week connects entrepreneurs, financiers, students, youth, mentors and the services that...