Start-up Garage Participants learn how to employ human resources in an early stage company

 

Start-up Garage participants learn the basics of employment law

A successful business relies on the dedication and hard work of the team behind it. Developing the team, and keeping it engaged, while protecting the results of the team is essential. In our fifth Start-up Garage learning session, students vying for one of eight positions in the 2012 Start-up Garage received valuable advice from Melanie Polowin, a partner at Gowlings, one of Canada’s top law firms.

Melanie has plenty of experience advising Start-up Companies and the investors that fund them. She led our student entrepreneurs directly to the two most important employment issues facing their ventures:

1. Protecting Intellectual property by making sure the company owns it.
2. Protecting scarce resources by ensuring a start up can make changes to the team when required to keep the venture growing through challenging times.
    

 This means having appropriate agreements, and following proper process in getting those agreements signed with everyone that touches the business, including founders, unpaid workers and volunteers, independent contractors, and  employees. Agreements that are drafted, and signed in a manner that is consistent with the laws where the company and its employees work are essential. These are normally not agreements downloaded from the internet.

If all this sounds like too much expense, and too much trouble for your small start-up, then Melanie provided practical advice for our entrepreneurs. This included finding a firm that deals with Start-up companies in your region that may provide you with templates, and instructions on how to use them for a nominal cost. Start-up Garage offers an environment for companies with similar needs to pool resources for a variety of products and services to help the ventures grow.   

Student entrepreneurs get advice from industry experts at Start-up Garage

The participants of last night’s event now have the opportunity to take this new insight into their Start-up Garage applications and demonstrate to our review panel that they have thought about their team, and how they will engage it in their businesses through the summer of 2012. Applications are due February 22, 2012, and results will be available in March.

Deloitte accountants meet with Start-Up Garage Teams

(Version française à la suite)

  As a part of OTTN’s 2011 Lunch and Learn series, accountants from Deloitte came to the University of Ottawa to meet with the Start-Up Garage teams. Tackling the questions of cost, tax and filing income with the Canadian Revenue Agency, Deloitte’s Karen Serafin and Ian Rathwell discussed the importance of keeping good financial records even at the early stages of the business, where documenting transactions in a simple spreadsheet could make for much easier future discussions with banks and other stakeholders. They also learned how to best position their companies to take advantage of opportunities such as Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credits. Participants quickly realised the intricacies of business accounting, and how professional advice can help them with tax and other issues as their companies grow.

Start-Up Garage teams after a pizza feast with Deloitte accountants

Overall, Deloitte’s presentation was very informative for the Start-Up Garage teams. With advice and pointers from experienced professionals, teams left the workshop with concrete accounting solutions they could act on right away.

OTTN is looking forward to the next Lunch and Learn workshop. Scheduled for July 25^th 2011, Harley Finkelstein of Shopify will meet with the Start-Up teams to discuss market research and client communication.

For the Deloitte website, click here.
For the Canadian Revenue Agency website (SR&ED), click here.

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Comptables de Deloitte recontrent les équipes Start-Up Garage

Dans le cadre de la série Lunch and Learn du RTTO, des comptables de Deloitte sont passés à l’Université d’Ottawa pour rencontrer les équipes du programme Start-Up Garage. S’attaquants aux questions concernant les coûts, la taxation et le système d’impôts de l’Agence du Revenu du Canada, Karen Seraffin et Ian Rathwell de Deloitte ont discutés de l’importance de garder des bons dossiers financiers. Ils ont expliqués que ceci est important même aux débuts du développement d’une entreprise, où documenter les opérations financières dans un simple tableau peut faciliter les futures discussions avec les banques et investisseurs. Les membres des équipes Start-Up Garage ont également  appris à mieux positionner leurs entreprises pour profiter des occasions telles que les crédits d’impôts reliés à la recherche scientifique et au développement expérimental (RS&DE). Les participants ont rapidement réalisés les subtilités de la comptabilité d’entreprise, et comment des conseils professionnels peuvent les aider avec leurs questions fiscales.

En tout, la présentation de Deloitte a été très informative pour les équipes Start-Up Garage. Avec des conseils  professionnels, les équipes ont quittées l’atelier Lunch and Learn avec des solutions concrètes et applicables.

RTTO est excité pour la prochaine session de la série Lunch and Learn. Prévue pour le 15 juillet 2011, Harley Finkelstein de Shopify rencontrera les équipes Start-Up Garage pour discuter des études de marché ainsi que la communication avec client.

Pour le site web de Deloitte, cliquez ici.
Pour le site web de l’Agence du revenu du Canada (RS&DE), cliquez ici.

Vertigrow, Aero Tri, and Trial Guardian are selected for the OTTN Start-up Garage

Start-up Garage is an Ottawa Technology Transfer Network (OTTN) initiative, in partnership with the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), Centre for Commercialisation of Research, which provides post secondary students with the opportunity to start their own company. Among the fifteen applications received by OTTN, three have been selected for the 2011 Start-up Garage program. These include Vertigrow, Trial Guardian and Aero Tri.

OTTN provides $18,000 each to the three teams, in addition to office and meeting space, mentoring, and access to business experts. Through the rigorous selection process, the three teams demonstrated an aptitude for entrepreneurship, as well as products that address a real need.

Vertigrow, Aero Tri et Trial Guardian ont été sélectionnées pour le programme du Start-Up Garage 2011avec le RTTO

Le Start-Up Garage est un programme du Réseau de Transfert de Technologie d’Ottawa (RTTO) ainsi que du « Ontario Center of Excellence (OCE) Centre for Commercialisation of Research » qui donne l’opportunité aux étudiants de se lancer en affaire et de créer leurs propres compagnies. Parmi les quinze demandes d’applications que le RTTO a reçues, trois ont été sélectionnées pour le programme du Start-Up Garage 2011. Ceux-ci sont : Vertigrow, Trial Guardian et Aero Tri.  .

Le RTTO, propose à ces trois groupes une somme de 18,000 $, un espace de bureau et de rencontre, un mentorat ainsi qu’un accès aux experts d’entreprises. Après une sélection rigoureuse, les trois équipes à avoir été choisi par le programme de Start-Up Garage ont démontré un certain entrepreneuriat et ont prouvé que leur technologie répondait à un réel besoin dans la société.

OCRI Awards Feature uOttawa Researchers and Students

Last night the 2011 OCRI Awards were held with over 500 attendees from industry and the research and education communities. A complete list of winners can be found here.

From uOttawa, notable among the winners were OCRI Researcher of the Year Dr. Ben Tsang Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa in recognition of his research in the area of diagnosis and treatment of female infertility, ovarian cancer and pregnancy complications. Dr. Stephany Bennett (Faculty of Medicine, uOttawa) was also a finalist for the award.

Technology Venture Challenge celebrates 10th anniversary

The Technology Venture Challenge (techvc.org) celebrated its 10th anniversary of promoting student innovation last night with a three student team business case competition with students from Carleton University and from the University of Ottawa.

The Tech Venture Challenge is Eastern Ontario’s most prestigious competition for encouraging post-secondary students to act on their technology business ideas. Established in 2000, participants in the TVC have gone on to start over 40 companies. The competition is run by volunteers from the educational and business communities and is fully funded through sponsorship from leading businesses.

Learn how to finance your innovative idea!

Join Dr. Jom Aw, the Biosciences Business Entrepreneur-In-Residence, and Jamie Stiff, partner with Genesys Capital for a 2 hour workshop designed for researchers and students who want to learn how to commercialise an idea. The focus will be on financing in the life science sector, however individuals from any sector are welcome, and will take away valuable insight on raising cash to commercialise a technology based opportunity.

Entrepreneurship: Learn how to put your ideas into action!

WHEN: Monday, February 22, 2010 12:00 – 2:00PM

WHERE: Ottawa Hospital – General Campus, OHRI Stem Cell Centre Seminar Room 5225 CCW, 501 Smyth Road

Join Dr. Jom Aw, the Biosciences Business Entrepreneur-In-Residence, for a 2 hour workshop designed for researchers and students who want to learn how to develop a business case for their technology idea, and acquire practical tools for leading a project.

Business Case Competitions – Win $30,000!!

English follows:
Laissez le 9 à 5 aux autres! Joignez-vous à Mark Pearson du bureau de VRRT, à un groupe d’étudiants, et à nos invités Andrew Fisher (VP Exec. de Wesley Clover Technologies) et Paul Lem (Fondateur de Spartan Biosciences) pour discuter de comment parler à vos clients potentiels à propos de votre idée pour une nouvelle entreprise.
Quand: Mardi, 19 Janvier de 17 à 19h
Où: Salle A707, Colonel By, 770 Ave. King Edward
Contact: ttbe@uottawa.ca

Develop your entrepreneurial skills, and leave 9 to 5 to others! Join, Mark Pearson from TTBE, fellow students and special guests Andrew Fisher (Exec. VP of Wesley Clover Technologies) and Paul Lem (Founder of Spartan Bioscience) for a discussion on how to talk to customers about your business idea.
When: Tuesday, January 19th 5-7pm
Where: Room A707, Colonel By, 770 King Edward Ave.
Contact: ttbe@uottawa.ca
For more / plus d’info: click Continue Reading (just below)

Intro to BioEntrepreneurship Workshops (Free)

Ateliers d’introduction à la valorisation des recherches en biosciences gratuits!! (english follows)
Vous étudiez ou vous faites des recherché en médecine ou en biosciences?  Et vous avez une idée pour un nouveau produit ou une nouvelle technologie?  Ces ateliers sont pour vous!!
(4) – “Competitive Analysis – Who is your competition?” – Lun. 11 jan., 12-14h
(5) – “Financing – Where do you get it?” – Lun. 22 fév.,  12-14h
(6) – “Project Management and Business Case Development” – Lun. 15 mars,  12-14h
Tous les ateliers sont offerts en anglais seulement et se dérouleront à la salle 5225 CCW du Centre de recherche sur les cellules souches de l’IRHO.
Inscrivez vous au téléphone 613-562-5399 ou par courriel ttbe@uottawa.ca.

English: Are you a student or a researcher in medicine or biosciences?  And do you have a product idea or a potential new technology?  Then these workshops are for you!!
(4) – “Competitive Analysis – Who is your competition?” – Mon. Jan. 11,  12-2pm
(5) – “Financing – Where do you get it?” – Mon. Feb. 22, 12-2pm
(6) – “Project Management and Business Case Development” – Mon. Mar. 15, 12-2pm

All workshops will be held at the OHRI Stem Cell Centre Seminar Room 5225 CCW.  Please register by phone 613-562-5399 or by email ttbe@uottawa.ca