The University of Victoria’s Technology Parks is pleased to welcome C.S.S.F. as its newest tenant to the Marine Technology Centre.

“I would like to welcome C.S.S.F to the Marine Technology Centre,” said Dale Gann, President of UVic’s Technology Parks.  “This announcement is hopefully the beginning of a critical mass of ocean and marine companies that will locate at the Marine Technology Centre.  ”

The Canadian Scientific Submersible Facility is a nationally registered not-for-profit corporation. Established to manage and operate the ROPOS system once the Department of Fisheries and Oceans could no longer fund underwater research vehicles, the CSSF successfully transferred the ROPOS operation from government to the private sector.

CSSF works mainly through contracts with small local companies. Fielding a consistently successful team for operations and maintenance of the system, CSSF has earned strong client support. Working relationships have been established with the University of Victoria, University of Washington, the NOAA Vents program and the NOAA West Coast Undersea Research Center, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), GEOMAR (a German research support agency) as well as Natural Resources Canada and several other Canadian universities.

In a move to accelerate research with strong commercialization potential in local companies, Genome BC has launched a new funding competition entitled, Strategic Opportunities Fund for Industry (SOFi).

The fund is designed to support small to medium-sized life science enterprises (SMEs) incorporated in BC working on genomic applications relating to agriculture, bioenergy, environment, fish and fisheries, forestry, human health and mining.

The SOFi program has a budget of at least $8M, with $2M from Genome BC, and will focus on supporting projects of approximately $400,000 to $1,000,000. Up to 25% of approved eligible costs of a project will be covered under this fund for a maximum of two years. The fund is open to SMEs operating in BC in the pre-commercialization stage in all the life science sectors. However, national and international collaborations are strongly encouraged. Read more

The Vancouver Island Technology Park (VITP) is pleased to welcome one of Victoria’s highest revenue producing hi-tech firms as its newest tenant. RevenueWire, the recipient of the 2009 VIATeC Emerging Tech Company of the Year Award and a nominee for the 2010 VIATeC Company of the Year Award, will soon call VITP home later this year.

“To say we are excited to secure a company of the calibre of RevenueWire would be an understatement,” said Dale Gann, President, UVic Technology Parks.  “RevenueWire’s decision demonstrates how much value companies take in being immersed in an environment as stimulating and nurturing as the one that exists at VITP.  We look forward to a long and healthy partnership with one of Victoria’s elite hi-tech firms.”

“To be part of a culture that is supportive with like-minded individuals and companies was instrumental in our decision in choosing VITP,” said Bobbi Leach, General Manager, RevenueWire.  “We like the sense of community that the tech park creates for companies such as ours, and feel that this is the right place to foster a passionate and engaged team.”

RevenueWire, a comprehensive e-business platform for affiliate markets and merchants of digital products have signed a 3 year lease agreement for 9,000 square feet of high-tech space.  Employing approximately 35 knowledge-based workers, RevenueWire will take occupancy in November 2010. Read more