I-3 Technology Start-Up Competition Winner Announced

Innovacorp

Published Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Tether from Halifax was awarded a $100,000 seed investment from Innovacorp to build on its early business success. Innovacorp announced Tether as the provincial winner of the I-3 Technology Start-Up competition at an event that marked the end of the five-month competition.

Quotes

"Innovation leading to a robust knowledge-based economy is critically important to Nova Scotia's prosperity. Innovacorp's I-3 Technology Start-Up Competition once again highlights the innovative and competitive entrepreneurial spirit that exists across Nova Scotia." Premier Darrell Dexter

"This competition has both challenged and helped our company to improve our business approach. The cash, seed investment, and in-kind services we have won, combined with the exposure and credibility of being named first out of over 100 submissions, will propel our business forward." Tim Burke of Tether

"Tether has a solid plan for future growth, a clear understanding of its target market, proprietary technology, and financial and operational feasibility,. We look forward to playing a key role in the bright future of this company and many others." Dan MacDonald, president and CEO of Innovacorp

Quick Facts

  • The five zone winners are:
    • Zone 1 (Cumberland, Colchester, Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough counties): LST Energy, Jim Trussler, Gus Swanson and Philip Landry, Pictou
    • Zone 2 (Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne and Yarmouth counties): Xona Games, Matthew and Jason Doucette, Yarmouth
    • Zone 3 (Digby, Annapolis, Kings and Hants counties): Clare Machine Works Ltd., Vince Stuart, Meteghan Centre
    • Zone 4 (Halifax Regional Municipality): Tether, Tim Burke and Stephen Hankinson, Halifax
    • Zone 5 (Victoria, Cape Breton, Inverness and Richmond counties): Health Tech Outcomes, Corrine McIsaac, New Waterford
  • The provincial I-3 Technology Start-Up competition was launched on Sept. 9. In the weeks after the launch, Innovacorp received 133 formal submissions from entrepreneurs across Nova Scotia.
  • I-3 stands for idea, innovation and implementation, the early steps in the commercialization process. The competition identifies and supports high-potential early stage knowledge-based companies and encourages entrepreneurial activity across the province.
  • The I-3 competition allows Innovacorp and its 29 partners to improve the business-building assistance they provide to knowledge-based companies in Nova Scotia.
  • In total, $800,000 in cash, seed investment, and in-kind business-building services was awarded to the 10 winners. In addition to the $100,000 seed investment given to the provincial winner, the first-place zone winners each received $100,000 in cash and in-kind business building services and the second-place winners won a $40,000 package.
  • Innovacorp's High Performance Incubation (HPi) business model, recognized internationally as a best-practice technology commercialization approach, incorporates incubation infrastructure, business mentoring, and seed and venture capital investment. Every day, Innovacorp staff provides hands-on business guidance, tailored to meet the unique and evolving needs of high-potential early stage technology companies.

Learn More

Media Contacts

Jennifer Guy
Innovacorp
902-424-8670 ext. 1197
Cell: 902-225-7284
E-mail:
April MacLeod
Innovacorp
902-424-8670 ext. 1177
Cell: 902-441-9198
E-mail:

Images

Premier Darrell Dexter and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Ramona Jennex applaud during the award presentation.
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Dan MacDonald, president and CEO of Innovacorp, hosts the I-3 Technology Start-Up award presentation.
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Premier Darrell Dexter (left) congratulates Tim Burke of Tether at the award announcement.
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Tether members (from left) Patrick Hankinson, Stephen Hankinson and Tim Burke pose with their overall first-place award.
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The first and second place regional winners of the I-3 Technology Start-Up award hold their awards.
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Videos

Premier Dexter
Annoucement of provincial award winner
Tether Video
Zone 1 Winner - LST Energy
Zone 2 Winner - Xona Games
Zone 3 Winner - Clare Machine Works Ltd.
Zone 4 Winner - Tether
Zone 5 Winner - Health Tech Outcomes

Audio

Premier Darrell Dexter says the competition allows an innovative and competitive entrepreneurial spirit to prosper in Nova Scotia.
Dan MacDonald, president and CEO of Innovacorp, says Tether from Halifax, had a winning formula.
Tim Burke, of Tether, says its been a long road, but this competition challenged and helped the company improve its business approach.