When Provincial Governments Support Early Stage Companies-It's Good
KW Now.ca
September 01, 2010

By Thomas Hagey

Premier Dalton McGuinty was in Waterloo Region today to celebrate the success of the local tech company Miovision.

Miovision is a graduate of The Accelerator Centre a tech incubator in the Waterloo Research & Technology Park.

The provincial government has been a big believer and investor in the tech incubator which helps start-ups on many levels prepare themselves to go to the next step in the business evolution.

 Miovision entered the Accelerator Centre in 2006 with their start-up business model which would help cities and data companies monitor traffic without relying on people with clipboards. Two years later after receiving a great deal of mentoring on a multitude of levels to prepare them to go out on their own Miovision moved into new digs on Otonabee Drive.

Miovision's CEO Kurtis McBride praised the help and assistance of the Accelerator Centre. "Just being there exposed us to not only knowledge, but there were 20 other companies in there as well who were perhaps experiencing similar hurdles. It was a great environment to grow interest in our company and to prepare ourselves to move forward," said McBride.

"It's a wonderful story," said Tim Jackson, CEO at the Accelerator Centre. "When Miovision left the Accelerator Centre they grew to about 19 people, and here they are, less than two years later more than doubled in size at 44 employees. It demonstrates when provincial governments get involved in early stage technology companies, and say we believe in supporting tech incubators like the AC, it really helps prepare them to go out into the community on their own and do well," Jackson said.

Today, Mr. McGuinty was pleased to see the fruits of his government's contribution to kick starting innovation and technology. Joining the Premier was John Milloy, MPP, Kitchener Centre Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, and Leeanna Pendergast MPP for Kitchener Conestoga.