March 4, 2020 - Membertou, NS - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Digital technologies have transformed every industry in the Canadian economy. They have the power to help address some of the most challenging problems, from producing faster healthcare diagnoses to making businesses more efficient. They can improve quality of life in communities from anywhere in the world.
Strengthening Canada's leadership in artificial intelligence and digital innovation
Today, two Cape Breton technology companies announced new projects that will create well-paying jobs in emerging technology fields and generate sustainable economic growth in the Sydney area.
Orenda Software Solutions Inc. is developing artificial intelligence and language understanding technology to measure social impacts and perform behavioural analysis. Swarmio Inc. is commercializing a platform that effectively eliminates lag time in eSports and online gaming around the world. The two projects will create 18 jobs.
Ensuring Canadians can participate in, and benefit from, the digital economy
Today, Jaime Battiste, Member of Parliament for Sydney - Victoria, announced Government of Canada contributions totaling $1,447,169 to support the two companies as they perform research and development, and work to commercialize their software solutions, benefiting the local economy. MP Battiste made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) are providing contributions through their respective programs to help small and medium-sized businesses take their ideas to market, driving growth through innovation and technology.
Quotes
"Advances in the digital economy mean more than just the development of new products or services. It has the potential to help us solve some of the most difficult challenges, while creating good quality jobs and growth across all industries. We are thrilled to invest in the next phases of work with these companies as they innovate, commercialize and grow."
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, MP for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
"The work that these two companies are doing perfectly demonstrates one of the ways Cape Breton-Unama'ki is attracting skilled talent to the region, bringing innovative ideas and providing real-time solutions on an international scale. We are proud to help these companies grow, attract more people and create new jobs here on the Island."
- Jaime Battiste, Member of Parliament for Sydney - Victoria
"We are extremely proud to continue our work at Orenda here in Membertou. We have seen this company grow significantly over the last five years and anticipate that this growth will continue with the help of the investments received here today."
- Tanya Seajay, CEO & Owner, Orenda Software Solutions Inc.
"Video gaming is the largest form of entertainment in the world today in terms of revenue. It is larger than sports, music and movies combined. Swarmio has developed the Latency-optimized Edge Computing (LEC) technology to deliver lag free gaming and offers it to telecom operators globally to help them seize a piece of the growing gaming market."
- Vijai Karthigesu, CEO, Swarmio Inc.
Quick facts
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Canadians are among the most digitally connected people in the world.
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According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, 89% of Canadians and 98% of businesses are online, while 88% of Canadians use a mobile device.
