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You don’t have to drive to the country to find solar panel projects producing green energy for our community. VCT Group, a leader in solar carport and canopy installations, is working on multiple projects across the region, including the solar canopies at the Evolv1 building in the David Johnston Research + Technology Park on the University of Waterloo campus.
“We’re able to use this space that was originally designed just to park cars to also generate power – and it’s clean power. It’s solar,” said Zac Joliffe, Business Development Manager at VCT Group. “We create shade, which is nice for the people underneath it, and nice for cities as a whole.”
The company is set to begin working on a rooftop solar project at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate in Kitchener. The project will comprise of 850 solar panels that will provide all the secondary school’s power needs for the next decade.
VCT Group, a Communitech ecosystem member, also provides residential and commercial electric vehicle charging system installations. Joliffe said the company believes in the “electrification of everything”.
“This is how we get a cleaner economy. This is how we do better, and the world is rapidly moving this way.”
Don’t count downtown out just yet.
Cory Bluhm, Executive Director of Economic Development for the City of Kitchener, joined the Tech About Town podcast to discuss the exciting developments and ongoing transformations happening across Downtown Kitchener.
From the challenges of the pandemic to the rise of new businesses and community spaces, Cory shares his unique perspective on the city's journey to becoming a vibrant and dynamic urban center that's become a model across North America.
Learn about the history, current initiatives, and vision for the future shaping Kitchener’s downtown core. Whether you're a local or just a fan of urban revitalization, this episode offers insights into how economic development strategies are making a difference in Kitchener.
On August 9, MP Jasraj Singh Hallan (Calgary Forest Lawn) visited the Communitech Hub to speak with local tech founders about the importance of access to capital, capital gains, the US Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) and the challenges founders navigate as they start and grow their companies.
“We know that productivity is down in Canada and for us to be able to address these productivity issues in Canada is important,” said Hallan. “The tech sector is a huge pillar for us to be able to get our productivity up.”
Moving to a new country has its challenges, and navigating those challenges when launching a new business only adds to that complexity. Bruce Faulkner, founder of fintech startup Proxy, experienced this firsthand after immigrating to Canada from Nigeria.
“People forget that when you move to a new country, you will need help with things as little as grocery shopping,” said Faulkner.
Faulkner found support with PORCH, a Canadian organization that provides resources and support for immigrant entrepreneurs and professionals. PORCH was founded by Neil and Hunter Weitzman, who describe it as a community where people feel supported and understood, encouraging inclusivity and diversity in the startup ecosystem.
“PORCH is built to support you no matter where you are in your immigration entrepreneurship journey,” said Neil Weitzman. “Whether you’re just starting your business and you’re on your way to Canada, or you’ve been in Canada as an immigrant for 20 years and you’re running a business, community has extreme value.”
In another episode of Tech About Town, Rosie Del Campo, Communitech's Senior Corporate Communications Manager, takes us on a deep dive into what founders need to know about public relations. She answers questions like what makes a good news story, how to pitch it to journalists, and what her namesake dish at Ennio's would be.
You don’t have to look far to find groundbreaking technological advancements in automotive and consumer electronics. VueReal, a leader in microLED technology, is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible right here in Waterloo Region. The company designs and manufactures high-resolution, energy-efficient microdisplays poised to revolutionize the automotive and consumer electronics industries.
The company recently announced it’s doubling its manufacturing space as demand grows for its microLED and micro semiconductor solutions.
“It’s exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The company is growing rapidly and there’s a lot of interest in our technology and our product,” said Reza Chaji, CEO of VueReal.
VueReal is also expanding into the consumer market with solutions for wearable devices, TVs, and augmented reality (AR) products using its MicroSolid Printing platform.
“One of the areas that I’m particularly excited about is the impact our technology could have on health and fitness. The same way we print these tiny LEDs, we can print different types of sensors to create devices that enable a lot of personalized health data,” said Chai.
This edition of the Roundup was compiled by the Communitech News Team. Sign up to receive the Roundup each month by visiting communitech.ca/technews and scrolling to the bottom of the page.
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