THUNDER BAY – Business – “This partnership is a brilliant opportunity for Northwestern Ontario to leverage mobile to create next generation companies, strengthen existing firms, attract investment, retain top talent, and take advantage of a multi-billion dollar burgeoning industry. I strongly believe this collaboration will provide our community with a significant competitive advantage on a global stage.” says Nick Kolobutin of the Innovation Centre.
Tbaytel and the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre have partnered to accelerate the growth of Thunder Bay and region companies seeking to enter the wireless industry by announcing Thunder Bay and region’s first Mobile Handset Library.
The Library will allow Northwestern Ontario firms to perform market research, product development and testing on several different mobile handsets and operating systems while eliminating the high cost of purchasing unlocked phones. This effort to accelerate the growth of wireless companies builds on the mandates of both organizations to help Northwestern Ontario based companies capitalize on the ever growing multi-billion dollar global mobile opportunity.
The agreement between the two organizations will allow companies in the Thunder Bay region benefit from such services as:
- Enable entrepreneurs with exposure to multiple mobile operating systems to evaluate competitors and perform market research to differentiate themselves from the market
- Assist developers conduct critical testing on multiple platforms before launching applications
- Allow Smartphone and tablet accessory manufactures the ability to create products that fit the industry’s most popular devices
- Increase the knowledge and awareness of opportunities mobile represents to all businesses leading to technology adoption that drives productivity gains
“This partnership demonstrates how we are realizing our mandate of supporting the growth and commercialization of wireless companies across Northwestern Ontario by connecting them with critical resources, partners, and opportunities as we grow together” said Kevin Burns, VP Strategy & Customer Solutions at Tbaytel.
“As a small business, it is difficult to invest in fast moving technologies such as mobile. This shared resource will provide us with an opportunity that we otherwise would not be able to access and provide us with confidence to move forward in releasing our applications across multiple mobile operating systems.” says John McKenna of Arcori, a Thunder Bay based software development firm.
The initial library officially launches today and has 12 devices, including tablets, available to interested parties. For more information on the mobile handset library and the partnership visit www.nwoinnovation.ca. If interested in donating Smartphone handsets or tablets to add to the library contact Jaquelyn Holm (jaquelyn@nwoinnovation.ca)
Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre
The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre is tasked toward fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
Mission Statement:
The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre will act as a catalyst to
1. Create jobs by supporting innovative entrepreneurs to establish and/or expand their businesses.
2. Contribute to the long-term economic growth of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
3. Create conditions favorable for technology transfer to industry through development and commercialization of innovative companies
4. Encourage ongoing co-operation between business, education and government.
5. Support innovative projects.
