Ontario Sets Its Sights On High-Tech Jobs

 
 

September 9, 2009 11:49 AM

McGuinty Government Helps Start-Ups Turn New Technology Into New Jobs

Ontario is helping high-tech firms across the province bring innovative products and services to market, including new technology that will help people with inoperable low vision see better.

The province is investing $500,000 to help Kanata-based eSight bring its game-changing "evSpex"™ device to the global market. The evSpex consists of a wearable high-resolution display with an integrated camera. The company is currently improving its prototype, and expects to go into production next year. By bringing this product to market, eSight expects to create 25 jobs over the next two years.

The support for eSight is part of more than $4.5 million being invested in ten start-up high tech firms across the province. The investments come from the Investment Accelerator Fund, part of Ontario's Innovation Agenda, a $3.2-billion strategy to make Ontario one of the best places in the world to turn new knowledge and new ideas into new businesses and jobs.

QUICK FACTS

 
  • According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 160 million visually impaired people in the world.
  • Visual impairments increase with age. More than two million Canadians suffer from age-related vision loss, a number that is expected to triple over the next 25 years.
  • In the US alone, estimates are that more than 38 million people over the age of 40 suffer visual impairment or an age-related eye disease and more than $800 million is spent each year on vision services and equipment.

CONTACTS

  • Perry Blocher
    Communications Branch
    416-326-7717
    perry.blocher@nullontario.ca
  • Ralph Benmergui
    Minister's Office
    416-314-7067
    ralph.benmergui@nullontario.ca



Ministry of Research and Innovation
ontario.ca/innovation


 

"We're proud to support bright young companies like eSight, who dream of being a major technology employer in the Ottawa region. They demonstrate how innovation makes it possible to overcome human challenges while creating good jobs and better lives for people."

 – Yasir Naqvi
MPP, Ottawa Centre

"By supporting great ideas, innovative thinking and new technology companies today, we are helping to create the products, services and jobs that will drive our economy in the future."

 – John Milloy
Minister of Research and Innovation

"The Ontario government has been a strategic partner in eSight's success, especially in today's challenging capital markets. With Ontario's support we are completing product development, growing our organization and anticipating short-term revenues. This is exactly the support that eSight needs in order to attract additional investment and achieve our business and growth objectives."

 – Dan Mathers
CEO, eSight

 
 
 
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