A new partnership between ventureLAB and Siemens Digital Industries Software promises to help Canadian tech companies become globally competitive.
“For hardware-focused start-ups and scaleups, time to commercialization can be a lengthy and expensive process. These companies are building ground-breaking products that will power our technologies of the future,” says Melissa Chee, President and CEO of ventureLAB in Markham.
“We are excited to partner with Siemens to enable Canadian tech companies to become globally competitive,” she says. ventureLAB is a leading global founder community for hardware technology and enterprise software companies in Canada.
The announcement was made at HardTech, Canada’s premier hardware technology-focused conference.
The new partnership will give companies participating in the Hardware Catalyst Initiative (HCI) – Canada’s only lab and incubator for hardware and semiconductor-focused products – access to the Siemens Xcelerator™ portfolio to support innovation in electronic hardware, health technology and Internet of Things.
Siemens and ventureLAB will work to reduce barriers and accelerate time to market for Canadian start-ups and scaleups through support, software and collaboration.
“As technology advances, the demand for hardware and semiconductors continues to surge,” says Chee. “Founders in this space are creating the technologies that will power our products of tomorrow, modernize traditional industries, and support a sustainable and resilient Canadian economy.”
Hosted by ventureLAB on June 22 and 23, HardTech features prominent thought leaders in the tech ecosystem.
Kevin O’Neil, Corporate Vice President and Managing Director of AMD Canada, Jamie Dinsmore, Vice President and Country Manager of Siemens Industry Software, and Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion and MP for Markham-Thornhill Mary Ng were part of a panel discussion on the evolution of hardware technology.
Ng highlighted the importance of made-in-Canada semiconductor and hardware-related products, including nano and micro chips, and said Canada’s wealth of raw materials, close ties with the U.S., and strengths in research and development present “incredible advantages” for semiconductor manufacturing and collaboration.
“The global demand for microchips continues to present an opportunity for Canada’s hardware and semiconductor industry to own the podium,” she says. “ventureLAB, through the HCI, is playing an important role in connecting companies in this sector and equipping them with the tools they need to succeed and our government is proud to support them in this work.”
Photo of ventureLAB courtesy of the City of Markham.
