Among the hundreds of made-in-Ontario innovation highlights at this year's show; the unveiling of the only Canadian entry into the $10 million X Prize Tricorder competition, the debut of a high performance platform for the world's largest functioning brain model, a robot tea-butler, 'smart' jewelry and other wearable tech, advanced 3D printing and scanning, a pen that can draw a circuit board, a pizza oven that turns excess heat into renewable power and a cloud-based pet sitter.
"Discovery is the biggest event on our calendar every year," says Dr. Tom Corr, President and CEO of OCE. "We look forward to being able to bring industry, academia, investors, government and many more together under one roof for two days to network, make deals and learn what's new and exciting in the innovation community."
Named Canada's Best Trade Show 2010 and 2011, Discovery attracts more than 2,600 attendees and 425 exhibitors. This year, Discovery welcomes back tried and true features like engaging panels, world renowned speakers, career advice, mentoring, competitions and a show floor buzzing with some of the newest made-in-Ontario gadgets and gizmos.
"Discovery showcases truly inspiring ideas and innovations," says Reza Moridi, Minister of Research and Innovation and Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. "Over the course of the conference, we will see how Ontario's entrepreneurs and young people are building the future of our great province and contributing to its economic prosperity."
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Appearing as Featured Keynote on April 28 at 4:30 p.m. is YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley, making his Canadian speaking debut in conversation with CBC's senior business reporter Amanda Lang. This is followed by an audience Q & A.
On April 27 at 1:30 p.m., the keynote speaker is Eric Ries, pioneer of the Lean Startup movement, appearing remotely for a conversation and Q&A moderated by Financial Post columnist Rick Spence.
Featured presenters include Singularity University faculty members Neil Jacobstein, former president and current co-chair of the Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Track at SU, and David Roberts, former VP and award-winning CEO and serial entrepreneur, sharing their thoughts on disruptive technology, advancing tech, security and cyber-security.
Discovery's numerous panels and competitions will also feature participation from prominent names in robotics, aerospace, disruptive innovation and health, financial services and agriculture technologies.
INVESTORS GALORE
This year, Discovery will welcome an unprecedented number of investors, including a large contingent of international investors.
Included are hundreds of international investors, including a number from China as well as members of the Keiretsu Forum, a global investment community of accredited private equity angel investors, venture capitalists and corporate and institutional investors. This represents the largest-ever gathering of Keiretsu presidents from around the world including from the US, Israel, Turkey, China, India and Singapore.
Discovery also has booked more than 50 Canadian investors to participate in our Ask an Expert feature, which will have representation from seven of the 10 most active Venture Capital firms in Canada in 2014.
PANELS, SHOWCASES AND CONTESTS
Once again, Discovery's show floor is packed with exhibitors, panels and interactive sessions.
Featured panels include such topics as healthcare, agricultural technology, aerospace challenges and innovations, clean water solutions, high performance computing and disruptive technologies.
For students, job seekers and young entrepreneurs and startups seeking investment, there are opportunities to interact with experts, and investors in a few ways.
Discovery is also the place to see the finals of our popular student competitions that are designed to inspire and reward young entrepreneurs from high school through post grad.
Discovery has it all. The show facilitates the exchange of ideas and encourages new ways to collaborate and push the boundaries of research and innovation through to demonstration and development. It's the best place to see how bright the future of Ontario's innovation community really is.
Named Canada's Best Trade Show 2010 and 2011 and now in its tenth year, OCE's Discovery is Canada's premier innovation showcase. It brings together the best and brightest minds in industry, academia, investment and government to showcase leading-edge technologies, best practices and research in the areas of energy, the environment, advanced health, digital media, information and communication technologies and advanced manufacturing. The annual conference and showcase attracts more than 2,600 attendees and 450 exhibitors.
For more on Discovery, visit www.ocediscovery.com
NB: For media accreditation, please contact Stuart Green at Email Contact
About Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc.
Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) drives the commercialization of cutting-edge research across key market sectors to build the economy of tomorrow and secure Ontario's global competitiveness. In doing this, OCE fosters the training and development of the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs and is a key partner with Ontario's industry, universities, colleges, research hospitals, investors and government ministries. A champion of leading-edge technologies, best practices and research, OCE invests in sectors such as advanced health, information and communications technology, digital media, advanced materials and manufacturing, agri-food, aerospace, transportation, energy, and the environment including water and mining. OCE is a key partner in delivering Ontario's Innovation Agenda as a member of the province's Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE). Funded by the Government of Ontario, the ONE is made up of regional and sector-focused organizations and helps Ontario-based entrepreneurs and industry rapidly grow their company and create jobs. For more information visit www.onebusiness.ca
Discovery 2015 - Showcase Features
Cloud DX
www.clouddx.com
Cloud DX is already a Top-10 Finalist in the $10 million Qualcomm Tricorder XPRISE competition and is the only Canadian finalist. Cloud DX is revolutionizing health care with a device designed to diagnose 15 different medical conditions and monitor vital signs for up to 72 hours. With a huge buzz around this ambitious product, we expect that Cloud DX will reveal and demo this medical tricorder for the first time ever at OCE Discovery.
teaBOT
http://myteabot.com
The tea industry is booming and with the help of teaBOT's automated kiosks, we may never look at tea in the same way again. teaBOT allows customers to personalize their tea experience by simply walking up to a machine, selecting their favourite tea leaves, watching their tea get dispensed, and walking away with a personalized cup of tea in under 30 seconds. Tea enthusiasts are thrilled to be able to get creative with mixing blends, trying a friend's favourite flavour and ordering a pouch to take home.
PizzaPizza/McMaster University
http://www.oce-ontario.org/our-companies/success-story/2014/10/22/pizza-pizza
Revolutionizing pizza? Funded by fast food leader, Pizza Pizza, McMaster University students introduce HARvEST, the Pizza Oven Waste Energy Recovery (POWER) system, which repurposes waste heat from a conventional pizza oven into more useful forms: such as lighting, hot water, and space heating. The core technology, known as a thermal electric generator, enables the POWER system to be self-powered, even during a power outage. Pizza Pizza and HARvEST will be displaying this new system at Discovery.
