York Technology Alliance Directors Blog

More reasons to belong to the YTA

Pat Shaw — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:21:54 GMT

This is sent along from a friend who heard Tom Friedman this morning, author of The World Is Flat. Thought you might enjoy:

"I went back to the first edition of The World Is Flat that I started writing in 2004. I looked in the index, under 'F': Facebook wasn't in it! So when I said 'the world is flat, we're all connected!', Facebook didn't exist, Twitter was a sound, the cloud was in the sky, 4G was a parking place, LinkedIn was a prison, applications were what you sent to college, and for most people Skype was a type-o!"

Brilliant! Speaks a lot to why there is such a response to the peer to peer networking that has become a hallmark of YTA membership.

YTA Awards winners saucy as they reveal their secrets...

Tim Shaw — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:56:22 GMT

First of all, congratulations to mySpark Technologies, DVS Sciences, and Platform Computing for some very well-deserved recognition in accepting the YTA Technology Leadership Awards earlier this week. All three companies demonstrate the drive, commitment and collaborative spirit that is needed to create successful, innovative leaders in a very competitive space. We are extremely proud and fortunate to have them as part of the GTA tech community.

At the YTA Awards Luncheon (where they were presented with their very attractive awards), the leaders of each winning company provided YTA members and guests with a few of the ingredients that they have used in stirring-up their own secret sauce for success. Each company of course has its own unique flavour, yet there were a couple of common ingredients.

Be the Right Founder(s)
The companies featured this year were represented by their founder or co-founder on our celebrity panel, and each continues to play an active and important role in the business. The common thread among the founders is the vision to create something of value; and then as they enthusiastically declared, “a tireless drive to deliver”.

Each founder demonstrated this passion to lead by example, and in one case spoke glowingly of employees who were so committed to the company's purpose that they continued to show up to work even though there hadn’t been enough money to pay salaries several weeks in a row! (then he opined about not understanding why these same employees now have such high expectations for a regular pay packet – go figure).

Which leads to the second common ingredient...

The People
Each founder made clear mention of the quality of their people. It is readily apparent that a strong team that works well together is the critically important factor for growth of any stage organization. The commitment that it takes to bring a company from an idea to a business is idle chatter without a talented, collaborative staff. Each of the winning companies mentioned that their people are more than staff members, they are friends and colleagues. And only next to the respect of their people for the IP they possess, contribute, and inspire – the leaders shared a reverence for protecting their company’s IP even earlier than they could have imagined. First time I saw someone say with a straight face, “Pay your lawyer first”.

If you missed the luncheon or want a refresher on what was shared by the winners, check out their videos available on the YTA Award Winners page. Photos are also available on the YTA Flickr page.

Stephen Chan and Dapasoft - where "telling it like it is" is recognized and rewarded!

Pat Shaw — Sun, 15 May 2011 09:25:40 GMT

Congratulations to Stephen Chan CEO of Dapasoft, and YTA Board Member, on being recognized at the Chinese Canadian Entrepreneur Awards for 2011. Dapasoft received ACCE’s Most Innovative award . Stephen is also a great contributor of candid advice, equally to YTA event attendees and the YTA Board, where he has been a member for two years. Read more about his most recent recognition at http://www.thestar.com/business/article/991567--chinese-canadian-entrepreneurs-share-success-stories

Disruptive Innovation and Discovery Research - Why the YTA Solutions Showcase is So Important.

Tim Shaw — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:44:34 GMT

From the beginning of time people have been discovering and creating innovations resulting in significant impacts on how we live. Many of these innovations have completely changed the way we interact, or have replaced a previously ‘accepted’ way of doing things - they have been disruptive innovations.

Many innovations hit close to home – literally and figuratively: instant KD; online newspapers, LCD TV and PVR; bullet trains, electric cars, VOIP phone / fax, social media and online community – influencing the way we live, connect and conduct business.

Experts are here right in our own backyard. Often overlooked is the fact that game changing innovations are being created right in our own community. In the YTA / GTA, companies are establishing a 'new business as usual' with applications, programs and services that impact our lives and lives around the globe. These companies work in B2B, consumer technology, services, healthcare, data recovery, security, enterprise management, and many other fields.

The YTA Solutions Showcase will put these companies and innovations in front of you. It will profile the amazing technology coming out of YTA members and aim to inspire a continued spirit of disruptive innovation in our tech community.

Disrupt with us on March 10 at the Markham Convergence Centre for the YTA Solutions Showcase: see firsthand and interact with the technologies that will improve your work, home and healthcare in the very near future.

My Friends are more Popular than Me - Scientific American Feb.2011

Pat Shaw — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 09:27:45 GMT

The theme of the magazine article is that we seek to connect with those already well connected. The secret of joining the YTA is out then.
We've been through something of a reboot as tech members in the GTA have come to use YTA as their platform for connecting to other community members. This is direct to the core of 'first principles' that since 1983 have directed the organization to facilitate dialogue, exchange, and community awareness. The peer to peer networking sessions (10 per month and building) are key to the connections that tech companies value, and where they exchange ideas and best practices with peers.
Less of a prediction - more about execution. Build it and they will come. This year make the effort to connect in your community - however you might define it. -P@.

gShift: YTA member named to list of top innovators of 2010

Pat Shaw — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 11:13:15 GMT

YTA member gShift Labs was just named one of the most innovative companies in Digital Media in Canada by the Canadian Innovation Exchange (CIX).

gShift is an active member of the York Technology Alliance (YTA) and the GTA tech community. With all of the commitments involved in starting a company, we are fortunate that gShift co-founder, Krista LaRiviere sees the value of participating in the tech community and somehow finds time to sit on the Board of Directors at the YTA. Her team members have been featured as subject matter experts at YTA peer to peer sessions discussing Web Presence Optimization.

Congrats to Krista and the entire team at gShift.

Interested in learning more about gShift? They are presenting at a special YTA event on how to optimize your company's web presence on December 3. Details coming soon!

Mobile apps redefine "Reach"

Pat Shaw — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:57:36 GMT

Kunal Gupta is on to something. His company is creating a platform for businesses to share content across the mobile web; and it's growing like crazy.

The YTA is pleased to have Kunal speaking at our next luncheon on November 18. He is a market-leader in launching innovative mobile applications and understands the transformative potential that smartphones present in enabling the mobile lifestyle for consumers. He's a visionary, and rising star in the heady mobile space.

Beyond the significant accomplished of building Polar Mobile to a readily recognized brand and viable business, he is committed to ensuring that the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs have the skills and awareness to continue this country's strong innovative tradition. To do this he founded Impact Entrepreneurship Group - while completing his undergrad at the University of Waterloo. Now Impact is the largest youth entrepreneurship non-profit organization in Canada, where he continues to serve as Chair of the Board.

We are especially pleased to have Kunal speak this week, during Global Entrepreneurship Week; a time to celebrate the next generation of entrepreneurs and the success that our current entrepreneurs are experiencing.

Come join us on Thursday, November 18 to celebrate entrepreneurship and hear about the trends from a leader in one of the hottest tech spaces right now.

P@.

YTA and ITAC Partner-up to raise the voice of ICT cluster in the GTA

Pat Shaw — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:32:27 GMT

The YTA is embracing the objective behind our revised name ( Alliance rather than Association!). We are actively reaching out to others who will add value for our members and who will help others in the ecosystem better recognize and access the services that YTA can offer them too.

This arrangement provides YTA members who are inclined, with a clear connection for policy commentary input; an area that ITAC is well recognized for by both industry and government. It benefits ITAC to have a clear line of site to YTA members - adding credence to the commentary they can offer governments.

Better coordinating programs and events will avail better and more timely programs and events for members of each, while reducing the clutter and intrusion upon our busy members,

The YTA Board of Directors is pursuing other similar arrangements throughout the GTA - with the aim of establishing alliances that support coordination and shared learning for members of the community while minimizing cost of delivery.

The YTA - Fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem in the Greater Toronto Region.

Introducing the inaugural YTA Technology Leadership Awards June 17th

Pat Shaw — Wed, 26 May 2010 22:23:32 GMT

A great way to recognize members of the tech community! The YTA Board determined that this is the year to start the Technology Leadership Awards - YTA members or non-members - those companies brought to the attention of the board as having made significant achievements in building their businesses while contributing to the 'greater good' of the tech cluster.
Everyone who has heard of the new Awards has been delighted that the YTA has taken on this challenge and embraced the responsibility of drawing attention to the tech success stories that our members so often simply take for granted in terms of 'the way we do business'.
Aligned with our membership 'majorities' we will recognize three companies - one each in the start-up, scale-up, and grown-up categories.
Join us at the June 17th Awards and Member Recognition luncheon - sure to attain the status of a new 'must attend' YTA event.
Each of the award recipients will join the luncheon panel to share the recipe of their own 'secret sauce' including the things they wished they knew before they knew them, in the spirit of 'short cuts to success' the YTA fosters amongst members of the Association.
Come out and share in the celebration - book a table and bring your team or bring your clients - it is sure to be an event to remember! -Pat.

113 Branham300 companies in GTA, York Region, and adjacent areas

Pat Shaw — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:39:26 GMT

Impressive that Markham hosts 22 top 300 companies. Toronto lists 57. Quite the achievement for the ICT companies and for the promise of sustained economic development of this area. Congratulations too to the seven new members of the YTA receiving their membership certificates at the Branham luncheon last week.

The 175 guests at the luncheon heard Wayne Gudbranson challenge the sector to use the capability and capacity of the ICT sector to make a difference in Canada's pursuit of the electronic health record. Thank you Wayne for sharing your family's personal story and for the spark to our community to raise awareness and action in this critical Canadian opportunity.

Branham 300 gives pause to reflect

Pat Shaw — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:17:49 GMT

Wayne Gudbranson one time told me that he never wanted to be known as the list company guy; but that he thought bringing together the information of the Branham list would be a great way for Canada to see the depth and breadth of the ICT sector contribution to the economy, innovation and job creation.
He has done both - known for the completeness and clarity of the listing is itself a significant achievement and deserving of Hall of Fame recognition; AND, each year the interest and excitement of the 'reveal' mounts for weeks ahead of the first presentation of the annual data. Well done Wayne. The YTA is very proud to be a partner in the presentation of the data to the GTA community once again.

Research partnerships that pay for developing answers to company questions

Pat Shaw — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:35:23 GMT

YTA is partnering with YorkU Office of Research Services to connect member companies with academic researchers who will qualify for NSERC funding in the search for innovative solutions to company problems.
Contact the YTA office if you are interested in participating in the 'meet up' this Friday where up to 10 companies and researchers are set to start the collaboration connection needed to access the funding needed to solve their problem...up to $25,000 for each initiative. Email Patrick Shaw or call 905.415.4558 for more info.
YTA - Fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem in the Greater Toronto Region.

Compugen's Harry Zarek recognized Global Partner Executive MVP at VMware Partner Exchange 2010

Pat Shaw — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:40:04 GMT

Congratulations to YTA member company, Compugen, Canada's largest privately owned IT solution provider. Company Founder, President and CEO Harry Zarek was recently recognized by VMware as a recipient of a
VMware Partner Network Award, winning the Global Partner Executive MVP category. See the Compugen news release at http://www.compugen.com/pdf/VMwareNamesZarekForGlobalAward.pdf

Backbone Magazine now YTA media partner

Pat Shaw — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:52:14 GMT

YTA is pleased to have Backbone as a media partner supporting the tech cluster in the Greater Toronto Region. Now tech leaders across Canada can find information about upcoming YTA Events and Programs in the Backbone Magazine Events listings - and we invite you to join us at a Luncheon or event soon. Check us out on

75 attend SR&ED seminar presented by YTA Sponsors E&Y

Pat Shaw — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:24:40 GMT

Great attendance and terrific presentation arranged by E&Y to include CRA Tech specialist and client sharing experiences. Wonderful seeing the sense of community demonstrated by both presenters and participants in this type of learning experience...'social' engagement and useful and practical 'knowledge' mobilization.
Thank you to Elizabeth Pringle of E&Y for putting this together and pulling it off with such professional demeanor.
Pat Shaw.

Over 200 corporate members - a community worth belonging to...YTA

Pat Shaw — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:58:58 GMT

Congratulations and thank you to the many new members who have joined with their peers this year to reach 200 member companies. The YTA is a community that appeals to tech leaders in the Greater Toronto Region for the collaboration, innovation and business growth that can be leveraged through their participation.
YTA peer to peer networks are actively shedding light on the "shortcuts to success" that many growing businesses are looking for...insight and encouragement from peers without constraints or strings attached. Over 3000 people took advantage of the programs of the Association this past year.
If you are not yet a member, come on out to an event or peer group meeting and see for yourself. If you are a member, let us know what else you think your association could offer in the year ahead?
Pat.

YTA Holiday Event wraps up '09

Tim Shaw — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:52:29 GMT

Thanks to all of the members, new and old, that came out to the YTA Holiday Event last night at Marlowe. A good group came out to enjoy some food, some Jeopardy and some good times.

The Holiday Event marks the end of the 2009 YTA Programming Year. Thanks to everyone for coming out to our events and making this year a great success!

See you all in 2010, when we kick off the New Year with the Deloitte Tech Predictions Lunch on January 28.

Happy Holidays!

25 new members in the past 2 months

Pat Shaw — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:33:11 GMT

This month's luncheon recognized 11 new members to raise the total new members enrolling in the YTA to 25 over the past two months. A great sign that the programs we are offering make sense for the tech community we serve. Peer groups and topical issue luncheons attract tech companies interested in direct networking and the opportunity to learn from eachother in the pursuit for better, faster business results.

New Board represents breadth and diversity needed to strengthen tech ecosystem

Pat Shaw — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:17:42 GMT

Welcome to 11 new board members of the YTA (BoardMembers). Each adds insight and strengthens the current board contribution and commitment toward growing a strong and sustainable tech ecosystem in the Greater Toronto Region.

Small, medium and large tech and professional service firms support an economic development cluster that has proven the benefits of shared learning, networking and collaboration with direct top line benefits.

Thought leaders are described as such because they lead the thinking in their industry. The YTA Board do that and more, because they also dig in to deliver the services our members need in order to turn the thoughts, ideas, into action. Innovation meets traction. Come out to an event or log-in to your member centre and experience the professional drive that helps sustain the businesses in our community - and around the globe.

Welcome to The New YTA

Pat Shaw — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:06:29 GMT

The YTA is committed to the development of a vibrant ecosystem of technology companies throughout the greater Toronto region. YTA contributes by arranging great networking and learning opportunities for our tech members. Just check out any of our 10 peer-to-peer meetings in any given month. Or the luncheon program with topical issues and insights that attracted upwards of 225 participants.

Coming together in a sense of community is our way of nurturing innovation and encouraging business success. We are always looking to improve programs and activities we offer and will always welcome your feedback and suggestions.

In the short time that I've been Executive Director I have been welcomed as an ambassador of the YTA in the region and in the greater Toronto area. It is uplifting to see the sense of support and the sense of community that our members have throughout the region.

The YTA certainly seems to have a new energy and enthusiasm about it. I invite you to be part of that and to contribute your ideas on how we can continue to grow and provide the programs events and activities that make sense to youth members.