P.E.I. tech company earns investment
Onset Communication Inc. has developed a device that reduces delays in film and TV production
Island Capital Partners, a venture capital group based in Charlottetown, is investing $230,000 into a local tech company.
Onset Communication Inc. has developed the visual assistant, a visual communication tool that reduces miscommunication, delays and mistakes on film and TV production sets.
A prototype version of the system has been tested on productions over the past 18 months and the feedback has helped with product development, as well as creating market demand.
Renee Laprise, producer/director of “The Lovely Witches Club’’ series said they had a tight budget, a tight schedule and small crew.
“The visual assistant was crucial to us successfully getting all the content we needed at the quality we needed,’’ Laprise said. “The efficiency the device brought to the shoot was so important.’’
Onset has also established a distribution agreement with William F. White International Inc. (WFW), the largest film equipment rental company in Canada. Officials there say the visual assistant has the potential to revolutionize the production workflow.
Paul Lypaczewski, investment director with Island Capital Partners, has worked with Onset for the past two years and said over his years spent delivering production solutions to the media creation industries, it’s been clear that the primary focus must be on the user experience, using technology as a core underpinning.
“What we saw in Onset Communication was a unique combination of technological expertise coupled with a deep understanding of the film and video production process, all led by an experienced management team,’’ Lypaczewski said. “We are excited for the potential for the video assistant to become an essential part of any production set as it streamlines the communication process and unleashes the customer’s creative vision.’’
Brian Sharp, Onset cofounder and CEO, said it’s been a three-year journey to turn his vision and passion into a funded business.