A snapshot of the export-focused technology sector in Cape Breton. You may be surprised by what you discover.
It’s hard not be impressed (and surprised) by the local tech sector, particularly when you see it all on one page. goCapeBreton.com wanted to help our community discover the contribution and potential that exists in this sector.
There are many more companies not in this list. Add your company in the COMMENTS below, or even better, post your company in the DIRECTORY and BUSINESS SUCCESS STORIES.
Protocase
Protocase makes custom metal enclosures.
Location Sydney (Harbourside Industrial Park)
Founded 2004
Founders: Steve Lilley and Doug Milburn
Employees 100+
Accomplishments:
Thousands of customers around the world, including Google, Apple, NASA, US Military, and more.
Recently launched a new line of business called 45drives that is growing dramatically.
www.protocase.com
MediaSpark
MediaSpark develops educational games, simulations, mobile apps, and web platforms.
Location: Sydney
Founded: 1994
Founder: Mathew Georghiou
Employees: 12 - 20+
Accomplishments:
MediaSpark’s GoVenture products are one of the most widely used series of educational games and simulations in the world, with thousands of school customers and over 1 million users.
MediaSpark has also worked with industry leaders IBM, Cisco, HP, K12 Inc, TD Bank, PwC, the US Federal Reserve, Pearson, Cengage Houghton Mifflin, RTI, Canadian Tourism Commission, and many others.
MediaSpark has developed non-technology educational products used in a number of African countries to help build quality of life through entrepreneurship.
Over 20 years in operation.
www.mediaspark.com
Advanced Glazings
A glazing manufacturer that produces and sells advanced daylighting solutions.
Location: Sydney
Founded:1995
Founder: Dr. Doug Milburn (company run by Michelle Milburn)
Employees: 20 - 40
Accomplishments:
Solar Decathlon - US Dept. of Energy
Crystal Achievement Award - Glass Magazine
Nova Scotia Export Achievement Award
Clients include Bruce Power, Chapin School, Detroit School of Arts, Grand Prairie Art Gallery, Holland Performing Arts Centre, National Circus School, Pharma-Medica, and many more.
www.advancedglazings.com
VMP Group
A media agency that develops customer engagement solutions for a range of technology platforms
Location: Sydney
Founded:1995
Founders: Shawn Green, Sean Coyle, Rob Kean
Employees: 5-10
Accomplishments:
CGI FX for Oceans of Mystery
Little Buck’s Christmas - animated holiday special for CTV
Evil Schmeevil - animated holiday special for Cartoon Network
Expresso - digital signage system
Bistro - social media platform for corporate communications
Wine Recommender app for NSLC
www.vmpgroup.com
Marcato
Develops and sells web-based management solutions for live event and enterprise deployment.
Location: Sydney
Founded: 2007
Founder: Darren Gallop, Morgan Currie
Employees: 10 - 20
Accomplishments:
Marcato Festival used worldwide
Over 2000 users
Clients include Coachella, CMA Fest, Iceland Airwaves, X Games, Pride Toronto, and many more
www.marcatofestival.com
Health Outcomes Worldwide
Develops software for tracking and managing wounds at point-of-care to improve health outcomes
Location: New Waterford
Founded: 2003
Founder: Corrine McIsaac
Employees: 10 - 20
Accomplishments:
Possesses the largest wound care database in Canada to monitor patient recovery and reduce costs.
Recently partnered with Think Research Group to network to 300 health care organization.
www.healthoutcomesww.com
Mimir Networks
Provide integrated cloud and premise-based platforms for defending against DDos attacks.
Location: Sydney
Founded: 2012
Founder: Jim Deleskie
Employees: 5-10
Accomplishments:
Provincial winner of the I-3 Startup Competition (2014)
Raised $1M in private seed funding
Sales office in Boston, MA
www.mimirnetworks.com
lokol.me and goCapeBreton.com
lokol.me builds smart communities by facilitating the sharing of hyperlocal news and information. goCapeBreton.com is the first community website launched by lokol.me with more to follow.
Location: Sydney
Founded: 2015
Founder: Mathew Georghiou and the team at MediaSpark (lokol.me is run by Richard Lorway)
Employees: 6+
Accomplishments:
Developed a proprietary technology platform for rapidly building and launching community websites.
Launched goCapeBreton.com
A SPARK Cape Breton winner
www.lokol.me
BrandMetal
BrandMetal transforms logos, messages, and designs into premium metal signs and works of art.
Location: Sydney
Founded: 2013
Founder: Mathew Georghiou and Joanie Cunningham
Employees: 2+
Accomplishments:
BrandMetal signs and works of art are appearing in a number of places locally, and have been sold to customers throughout the US and Canada.
Of particular note is that BrandMetal works very closely with Protocase and the business was created because of the local manufacturing capabilities provided by Protocase.
www.brandmetal.com
Venture Solutions Inc.
Venture Solutions provides business services and support to startups and existing businesses.
Location: Edwardsville and Sydney
Founded: 2009
Founder: John C. Aylward and Merrill Carmichael
Employees: 4+
Accomplishments
Has worked with over 80 companies, employing more than 300 people in a variety of sectors.
Created an estimated 300 new jobs, with over $7 million in salaries.
Operates two local business incubators to support emerging companies in Cape Breton.
www.venturesolutionsinc.com
GoVenture World
GoVenture World is a Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) being billed as the most authentic business and entrepreneurship simulation ever created.
Location: Sydney
Founded: 2012
Founder: Mathew Georghiou and the team at MediaSpark
Employees: See MediaSpark
Accomplishments:
The game is still in development with the beta version being launched in 2015.
Received significant support from the National Research Council of Canada
Selected as one of the 50 brightest new startups in the world during Global Entrepreneurship Week. Also profiled on CNBC.com in “The World’s Most Promising New Companies.”
Finalists in the Startup Canada and Intuit Financial Literacy Startup Awards
I-3 Tech Startup Finalist
www.goventureworld.com
Techlink Entertainment
UPDATE: Techlink filed for bankruptcy in 2015
Produces games and management systems for responsible gaming.
Even though in June 2015 Techlink encountered some business challenges that make its future uncertain, its contribution to the local community by providing well paying, high-skilled employment is a success story.
Location: Sydney
Founded: 1994
Founder: John Xidos
Employees: 60+
Accomplishments:
Raised over $50 million in financing
Products used in a number of gaming jurisdictions
Over 20 years in operation
www.techlinkentertainment.com
SLYCE
Visual recognition technology company.
Location: Head office in Toronto with satellite office in New Waterford
Founded: 2012
Founders: Cameron Chell and Erika Racicot
Employees: 60 in New Waterford
Accomplishments:
Visual product recognition platform launched in 2013
Publicly traded on TSX
Received over $10 million in Series A funding
Clients include a growing list of Fortune 1000 brands
www.slyce.it
HALIFAX BIOMEDICAL
- Surgical and medical instrument manufacturing company
- Location: Head office in Mabou, Cape Breton
- Founded: 2004
- Founder: Chad Munro
- Employees: 14
- Accomplishments:
Obtained regulatory approval for its medical devices in the U.S., Europe, Canada, and Australia.
Creating a mobile spinal imaging system to be stationed in Boston.
- www.halifaxbiomedical.com
There are many more companies not in this list. Add your company in the COMMENTS below, or even better, post your company in the DIRECTORY and BUSINESS SUCCESS STORIES.
Past Successes
How did these companies come about? What other companies contributed to the success of Cape Breton in the past? Find this out and more by reading, “The Epic History of the Tech Sector on Cape Breton Island!”
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