TechPlace opens on Wednesday: can it make a difference?

By Pepper Parr

June 19th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

It has taken awhile but it will be officially opened on Wednesday and it is a step forward.

The idea of a place where those much desired high tech, high paying jobs can get developed and brought to fruition has been a glint in the eye of the Mayor and his former Chief of Staff Frank McKeown for a long time.

It is being called TechPlace – all one word – that is being positioned as a brand. McKeown said the Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) didn’t want it to be too tightly identified with them but wanted it seen as something the BEDC oversees, runs and funds during its early phase.

The objective? To create a place where potential new ideas, new approaches to business can be created, nurtured and grown. New business start-ups travel a pot hole filled road often fueled by family investments or whatever can be cobbled together from friends to get an idea off the ground.

Rotary sponsors a competition, mostly for high school students, that has seen some good ideas get funding.

At the TechPlace open-house style event on Wednesday, you’ll have the opportunity to tour the offices, network, and learn more about TechPlace. And here will be a cash bar – don’t see that very often in Burlington.

Frank McKeown, former Chief of Staff to Mayor Rick Goldring shepherded the start-up incubator through the BEDC board and got it to the point where it can open – now to make it work.

Led by Burlington Economic Development Corporation, TechPlace is a one stop destination for new and growing technology companies. TechPlace exists to help technology, talent and ideas come under one roof to create and promote opportunities for economic growth!

The Mayor poaches some of the credit for the idea when he says the idea was first announced during his State of the City address in January; the idea has been around for some time.

This certainly differs from the garage Steve Jobs built the first Apple Computer.

The TechPlace partners at the 8,600-square foot facility will include Angel One Investor Network, one of Canada’s most active angel groups, and Haltech, Halton Region’s Regional Innovation Centre. Mention has been made of some foreign interests who have bought into the concept and have taken space.

The set-up is intended to be a one-stop destination for new and growing technology companies. With the support of partners across the public and private sectors, the new facility will provide access to space, programming, mentorship, networking and resources to help connect, develop and advance entrepreneurs at all stages.

The Economic Development Corporation maintains that approximately 40 per cent of new jobs in Canada come from companies that are less than five years old; the BEDC is committed to supporting the continued growth of these companies. TechPlace is intended to be a place that attracts and nurtures these start-ups including those that are well beyond the concept stage but need professional support in areas that are outside their prime strengths. A couple of very smart software developers might not know much about federal and provincial grants available to them or how to tap into marketing programs that different levels of government offer.

The HiVe couldn’t the clientele needed to make the place viable in the downtown core.

A number of years ago The HiVe set up shop in space on Elizabeth street and launched their operation with a lot of hoopla and fanfare. The “beautiful” people turned out in droves but the customers didn’t take a shine to the place

When the HiVe was conceived the hope was that the city would buy into that operation – they never did and the HiVe moved out of their downtown location and re-established themselves closer to the industrial core along Harvester Road.

TechPlace is located on the 8th floor of 5500 North Service Rd. at Burloak Drive, just north of the QEW.

BEDC Announces Opening of TechPlace, Burlington’s innovation centre