MaRS

"The Commission has hit the bull's eye with its recommendations", says Skymeter CEO Kamal Hassan. "Recognizing and recommending sensible policy using reliable and cost-effective technology addresses the three evils plaguing surface transportation: under-funding, CO(2) emissions, and traffic jams." Hassan says that by opting for a sensibly-designed GPS-driven user fee system America's total CO(2) emissions will be reduced by 5% or 350 million metric tonnes, the same reduction as if one out of every four cars on the road were replaced by electric cars. It will also make the average commute around 10% faster. "Those are pretty good side effects for a system that returns the nation's road financing system to health" says Hassan.

Skymeter Corporation is a Toronto, Canada-based data services operator that enables location-based payments using financial-grade GPS telematics. Its billing-delivery services include Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) metering for road use, parking and PAYD insurance. These services incorporate methodologies for both privacy and anonymity to ensure motorists enjoy complete privacy while traveling and absolute confidentiality of their trips. Skymeter is equivalent to an anonymous, in-car cell-phone that automatically pays for all transport services based on actual usage. Skymeter enables every form of road-use charging from small city areas such as London and Stockholm's cordon charges up to metering every vehicle in a state, province or country in order to replace fuel taxes.

Pawson was recognized for his research into the way cells communicate with each other, which has made possible the development of drugs that halt the multiplication of certain types of cancer cells, among other breakthroughs. His lab has helped lay the groundwork for this new generation of drugs.

But here is the good news. Myers also cited a whole listfull of business opportunities created by the current downturn. Not every company is in a position to seize these opportunities, but those who can should definitely be looking at this list as a recipe for action.Opportunities in the Current Recession:· For companies with cash and investment strength· Replace competitors (who falter or struggle in this economy)· Acquisitions· Respond to new and emerging customer demand· New product and market development· Infrastructure and Innovation (including the smart grid, green energy, health care, logistics and security, and energy – all areas where Canadian companies have some advantages)· Product specialization, services, new processes, new skills

Tonight, in Toronto, Pawson will be honoured for his latest achievement: Winning the prestigious Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences. He will share the podium with Charles Taylor, professor emeritus at McGill University, who won the prize in the Arts and Philosophy category. They are the first Canadians to win the coveted prize from the Inamori Foundation of Kyoto.

We’re very excited to be working closer with the MobileMonday community,” said MaRS CEO Ilse Treurnicht. “As MobileMonday Toronto moves to MaRS, it helps us connect with additional intellectual capital in one of the most significant high-growth sectors of the new economy.”

Skymeter is poised to usher in smart metering and – if the execution holds true to the vision – tolls that directly fund roads that are in demand.