The Guardian (Charlottetown)

Companies graduate from Startup Zone

Eight new companies join resident company program

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Startup Zone companies have graduated from the Startup Zone residency program this month.

Kim Roach Design, Mighty Pebble Games, Onset Communicat­ions, TopFeed, Open Air UAV Training, BECKA VIAU, and Lift Media are departing the program, which offers workspace, office support and informatio­n sessions to companies just starting out.

“We are very excited to see what the future holds for the latest members of the Startup Zone alumni network,” says Shannon Pratt, interim CEO, “We wish them all continued success.”

With the departure of these companies, Startup Zone is welcoming eight new companies into the residency program:

AGAMA is a company that specialize­s in AR and VR experience­s, 3D audio, interactiv­e spaces and custom electronic devices. Sergio Fernandez, co-founder & CTO of AGAMA, recently moved to P.E.I. from Colombia to expand the company through the Startup Visa program.

Gocanna, founded by Shaman Ferraro and Annie MacEachern, is Canada’s cannabis tourism guide. They are working to connect medical cannabis patients and (impending) recreation­al consumers with responsibl­e product and service providers.

Island AquaTech is a technology developmen­t company focusing in aquacultur­e. The company was founded by three engineerin­g students from the University of Prince Edward Island, Jordan Sampson, Dylan MacIsaac and Brett McDermott, who invented an oyster cage flipper for the oyster farming industry.

Letter Board Company, founded by Diane Sankar, is Canada’s first premium felt letter board company dedicated to providing quality letter home.

Smart Catch Systems, founded by Pierre BassalerMe­rpillat, is working to create a unique traceabili­ty solution for P.E.I. seafood.

Salts of the Earth, founded by Darren Blanchard, is a social enterprise that raises funds and awareness for groups looking for a unique fundraisin­g product and program. They provide organic salts from all over the world.

Maritime Heritage Meats, founded by Jordan Liantzakis, is aiming to start P.E.I.’s first Gourmet Meat Distributi­on Company focusing on quality, ethically sourced and produced products that tell a story far beyond their immediate consumptio­n.

The Maker Factory, founded by Kevin Brooks, will be a 3D printing storefront, offering unique pre-printed 3D objects for sale, customizab­le designs that can be personaliz­ed, educationa­l day classes, and concierge services to walk clients through designing and creating custom items.

P.E.I. Cider Co. (working name), founded by Robert Van Waarden, is looking to tap into the potential of craft apple cider. The company will aim to fill this gap by creating a cidery on Prince Edward Island.

“It’s an exciting time in the Startup Zone – we look forward to working with our new resident companies and we are happy to offer them the support and resources they need to start and grow their businesses here on P.E.I. and beyond,” said Pratt.

Startup Zone resident companies benefit from profession­al workspace, 24-hour building access, in-kind office hour support (such as accounting and legal resources), free informatio­n sessions, exposure, and other supports where possible.

For more informatio­n, you can visit visit www.startupzon­e.ca. boards for your

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