and business plan development. Within the last year, ORIC has launched a series of industry-specifi c business networking events and interactive workshops and a series of legal roundtable events.
Among the companies that have benefi ted from their connection with ORIC is VeriCorder Technology Inc., a research and development company that designs advanced portable recording systems and wireless mobility technologies for the broadcast journalism industry. In just over a year, Vericorder’s innovative products have attracted the attention of some of the world’s largest broadcasters and it has grown to 15 full-time employees. While funding through the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Program has been has enabled the company to develop early products, it credits ORIC for assistance with everything from funding decisions to attracting inves- tors, sourcing employees and developing its business strategy. “We would not be here today if it were not for ORIC,” said founder and CEO Gary Symons.
The tech sector gained another resource in 2009 through the formation of Metabridge, an initiative that provides British Columbia’s technology companies with direct connection and access to key international technology partners for investment, joint strategic partnerships, mentorship and advisory opportunities. Metabridge was developed by the Central
Okanagan Economic Development Commission in partnership with the British Columbia Innovation Council and with support from OSTEC. This past January it hosted over 100 companies at a major networking event at the CES International Electronics Show in Las Vegas aimed at connecting established technology leaders with entrepreneurs from the Okanagan. Plans are to host four such networking events a year.
Connections of all kinds – including air connections in and out of the valley – are essential to growing the technology sector and drawing attention to the lifestyle factors that make the Okanagan such an appealing place to live and work. Martin Mallinson, president of Kelowna-based ESS Technologies, knows this fi rst hand. Mallinson had transplanted his small Boston electronic manufacturing company to Kelowna in 1995 primarily to get away from the pace of the big city and enjoy a more relaxing lifestyle. He began a second Kelowna company in 1999. After just 18 months, it was purchased by ESS of California and subsequently experienced success designing electronics for almost half the DVD systems produced in the world. Today the more than 20 employees at ESS’ Kelowna research and develop- ment facility are focused on designing sophisticated digital music devices.
One silicon wafer has about a 1,000 silicon chips side by side ready to be cut up into individual operating chips. This wafer has about 1200 DVD players on it: each of those tiny rectangles has all the silicon machinery to make the latest high performance DVD player.
In 2009, ESS convinced its parent company to hold its annual board of directors meeting in Kelowna rather than California, and board members associated with such giants as Apple discovered the Okanagan lifestyle fi rst hand. “One of them is independently working with realtors to buy property here, and the company has already invested in local real estate for the benefi t of our visiting executives,” says Mallinson. ESS employees include highly skilled engineers and other talent who chose to relocate to the Okanagan from such areas as Texas, California and Asia. “It’s my experience that anything major that occurs in business here begins with a lifestyle choice.”
“The ability to get to our clients and parent offi ce in California quickly and effi ciently is fundamental to our ability to stay located in the Okanagan,” Mallinson adds. “The connections that have been
added through Kelowna Airport have kept pace with the needs of area’s business community as a whole.”
The next phase that needs to happen to evolve the Okanagan’s technology sector will come with continued development of Kelowna’s critical mass, he feels. “We need to continue to attract the right people to work in the industry and have jobs in the community for their partners, as well. We also need to show the investment community – especially savvy investors in Vancouver and Calgary – that good talent that can be recruited into the valley. This infrastructure is coming and it’s exciting.”
“The tech sector has grown to the point it is at today not by attracting new tech companies into the region, but by growing entrepreneurs,” adds Robert Fine, Manager of the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission. “The companies that call this home base and the organizations that represent them point to the expertise that’s already here. Growing the sector is not about attracting big business, but big talent.”
Under The Okanagan Sun
Gorgeous Kelowna views, spacious 3+1 bed home on large lot. Sleek hardwood, separate suite, close to the airport. Quality upgrades include high-end appliances. Loads of parking.
$569,000 • MLS #9227382 1707 McKenzie Road
Betty Anne Tarini #100-1553 Harvey Ave. Kelowna, BC V1Y 6G1 C: (778) 821-0129 P: (250) 717-5000
E:
BettyAnne@Kelowna.Remax.ca www.BettyAnneTarini.com
Kelowna SPRING 2010 13
ESS Technologies
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