BitStrata Systems Inc., creator of industrial machine-to-machine (M2M) systems using mobile devices, has won the U of S 2013 Tech Venture Challenge, co-sponsored by the U of S Industry Liaison Office (ILO), Innovation Place, Deloitte and the Royal Bank of Canada.
"It was a challenge choosing from this impressive group," said one of the competition judges Laurie Dmytryshyn of PIC Investment Group. "No matter who wins the competition, they are all entrepreneurs and this is just the beginning for every one of them. Their passion and enthusiasm was inspiring."
BitStrata Systems, co-founded by Michael Lockerbie and Ian Meier, has developed a grain cart weighing system as the first product built on their patented technology. As winner of the Tech Venture Challenge, the company will receive $50, 000 cash, a year of office space at Innovation Place, professional services valued at $6,000.00 from Deloitte and specialized banking services from RBC.
"The workshops, presenters, connections and support have been invaluable in our start-up phase. The discipline to focus really helped us refine our business," said Lockerby, BitStrata Systems CEO. "The ILO and the Saskatoon business community as a whole have been very nurturing and supportive. The prizes provided by the ILO, Deloitte, Innovation Place, and RBC will accelerate progress through to the next phase of our business."
The other top two Tech Venture finalists were:
OneStory; Katrina German and Dale Zak - A mobile app that provides an easy way to capture
and share personal video interviews.
Avocado Applications Company. Scott Kopelchuk, Henry Fernandes and Curtis Chapman - A software solution provider that has created careoperations.com for use in seniors care facilities to improve resident care, streamline operations, and increase communication among staff.
"It was not an easy decision for our judges to choose the winner. It was a diverse pool of highly innovative, commercially viable technology ideas," said Lorna Shaw-Lennox with the ILO. "The Tech Venture Challenge has been a great a great opportunity to support all of these promising entrepreneurs."
The Tech Venture Challenge gives University of Saskatchewan employees, researchers, students and alumni an opportunity for support in creating their own company.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Lorna Shaw-Lennox
Startup Company Specialist
U of S Industry Liaison Office
306-966-7338
lorna.shaw-lennox@usask.ca
"It was a challenge choosing from this impressive group," said one of the competition judges Laurie Dmytryshyn of PIC Investment Group. "No matter who wins the competition, they are all entrepreneurs and this is just the beginning for every one of them. Their passion and enthusiasm was inspiring."
BitStrata Systems, co-founded by Michael Lockerbie and Ian Meier, has developed a grain cart weighing system as the first product built on their patented technology. As winner of the Tech Venture Challenge, the company will receive $50, 000 cash, a year of office space at Innovation Place, professional services valued at $6,000.00 from Deloitte and specialized banking services from RBC.
"The workshops, presenters, connections and support have been invaluable in our start-up phase. The discipline to focus really helped us refine our business," said Lockerby, BitStrata Systems CEO. "The ILO and the Saskatoon business community as a whole have been very nurturing and supportive. The prizes provided by the ILO, Deloitte, Innovation Place, and RBC will accelerate progress through to the next phase of our business."
The other top two Tech Venture finalists were:
OneStory; Katrina German and Dale Zak - A mobile app that provides an easy way to capture
and share personal video interviews.
Avocado Applications Company. Scott Kopelchuk, Henry Fernandes and Curtis Chapman - A software solution provider that has created careoperations.com for use in seniors care facilities to improve resident care, streamline operations, and increase communication among staff.
"It was not an easy decision for our judges to choose the winner. It was a diverse pool of highly innovative, commercially viable technology ideas," said Lorna Shaw-Lennox with the ILO. "The Tech Venture Challenge has been a great a great opportunity to support all of these promising entrepreneurs."
The Tech Venture Challenge gives University of Saskatchewan employees, researchers, students and alumni an opportunity for support in creating their own company.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Lorna Shaw-Lennox
Startup Company Specialist
U of S Industry Liaison Office
306-966-7338
lorna.shaw-lennox@usask.ca