MaRS

Four new luxury towers going up in downtown Toronto have missed the opportunity to tap into geothermal energy - and reduce their energy footprints accordingly. Tom Rand, the clean-tech adviser at MaRS (the non-profit innovation institute in Toronto's downtown hospital district) is the owner of the Planet Traveller eco-hotel soon to open just west of the MaRS complex, on College Street.Rand had grown cynical about the "greenwashing" of the hotel industry (properties trumpeting themselves as eco-friendly because they provide daily new towels and sheets only on request). He determined, instead, to create a low-carbon hostel for young travellers. Nov 6, 2009

Michael J. Fox addresses the media and introduces his Parkinson's disease foundation at the MaRS Centre in Toronto Ont. on September 24, 2009.Michael J. Fox, who used the fame he gained as an actor to take a starring role in the fight against Parkinson's disease, has been named the most influential Canadian expatriate. Nov 8, 2009

CVCA - Canada's venture capital & private equity association's press release Nov. 10, 2009. Activity in Canada's venture capital (VC) market continued to fall in the third quarter of 2009, according to the industry's statistical report released today by the CVCA-Canada's Venture Capital & Private Equity Association and research partner Thomson Reuters.

Brodie Fenlon, Globe and Mail reporter, reports that the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development says " transit service in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area has not kept pace with population growth, with 71 per cent of commuters still dependent on the automobile - one of the highest rates of car use among cities in the organization's 30 member countries."Among the OECD findings include that governments should invest in more initiatives like Toronto's MaRS Discovery District. Nov 9, 2009

Bitstrips, a MaRS digital media client, was recently featured in the Globe and Mail. Bitstrips is an online comic book that is created by users. Their free online toys make it fast, fun and easy to create comics. The article shows how Bitstrips for Schools is helping teachers get students engaged creatively using digital media while promoting reading, writing and media literacy. Find out more about this company to watch.

Segasist Technology has developed special software for doctors to help read medical images. Jaqueline Csonka-Peeren, president and CEO, Segasist Technology tells BNN more. Nov 6, 2009

The Ontario Innovation Summit: The Business of Aging - Dec. 1-2, 2009 - will feature some of the world's top experts on the many issues that the aging of the global population poses for communities, governments, academic and health-care institutions, and businesses. The Summit's audience of technology, health care and business leaders will explore the profound public policy challenges as well as the growing opportunities associated with the aging demographic phenomenon. The Summit's Science & Technology Showcase will give organizations a unique opportunity for exposure to this influential audience. Nov 10, 2009

RISE Technologies Corporation, a leader in high-performance, high-quality, cost-effective solar technology, today announced the appointment of Mr. Peter Harder as Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors. Mention of William White being on the Board of Directors for MaRS Discovery District. Nov 11, 2009

Arctic Faring David Buckland thinks cities like Toronto are the key to climate deadlock.The UK group chosen T.O. as its headquarters for the whole of North America. Chalk that up to the power of our artsies - and to the fact that Cape Farewell has consciously adopted the C40, the climate leadership group made up of mayors from the world's largest cities.Buckland spoke at the MaRS Centre.

MTS Allstream Inc. ("MTS Allstream") announced that BMW Canada is the official green transportation partner for the 2009 Allstream Global Forum: An Evening with Vice President Al Gore, taking place on November 24, 2009 at the Allstream Centre in Toronto. MaRS Discovery District is one of the partners for the 2009 Allstream Global Forum. Nov 12, 2009

CleanTech North, a consortium in which launches in Toronto, will offer a range of services to promising clean-tech companies. The Vancouver Sun states the Canadian Federal Government is not doing enough to support the emerging sector. MaRS Discovery District is an except as it is receiving federal funding. Nov 12, 2009

MTS Allstream Inc. ("MTS Allstream") has named Indigo, Canada's largest book retailer, as the official bookseller of the 2009 Allstream Global Forum: An Evening with Vice President Al Gore being held November 24 at the Allstream Centre, Toronto. MaRS Discovery District is a partner of the 2009 Allstream Global Forum. Nov 13, 2009

"Traffic congestion in the Toronto region costs Canada $3.3-billion a year in lost productivity the Globe and Mail reports. An Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development report found included that governments should invest more in initiatives like Toronto'd MaRS Discovery District. Nov 10, 2009

On December 7th, Anthony Lacavera CEO of Globalive will join the MobileMonday Toronto community to give a one year update on launching a new, national wireless carrier in the Canadian market. The session will include discussion around competition, Canadian policy, Canadian global competitiveness and the creation of jobs. Nov 17, 2009

Skymeter Corp., an upstart technology firm that has developed smart meter devices that use global positioning system technology to pinpoint the exact location of vehicles.the Skymeter technology is available only in Winnipeg, where the municipality's parking authority is testing it. The new system is expected to be implemented citywide by the fall of 2010, making it the first jurisdiction in the world to use the park-and-walk-away Skymeter. Nov 18, 2009

MaRS is partnering with Carbon Foresight to help us understand our carbon footprint and its distribution among our tenants. Read the case study on our use of their service.

Members of a business consortium formed to nuture Canadian clean-techology startups say the federal government isn't doing enough to support the emerging sector. MaRS Discovery District is an exception as it is receiving federal funding. Nov 13, 2009

CleanTech North, a consortium in which launches in Toronto, will offer a range of services to promising clean-tech companies.The Canadian Federal Government is not doing enough to support the emerging sector. MaRS Discovery District is an exception as it is receiving federal funding. Nov 13, 2009

BNN After Hours : November 10, 2009 : Opening Canadian Borders to Foreign Venture Capital [11-10-09 4:30 PM] Stephen Hurwitz, partner, Choate, Hall and Stewart, tells BNN Canada's tax laws are creating a nightmare of red-tape for U.S. venture capitalists who want to invest here. A 7-minute live interview with BNN on Section 116 and the serious harm it continues to do to the Canadian venture capital and technology industries.

Useful information about / for startups in Waterloo Region.