New tools for video distribution, portable media marketing and online education were among the tech developments celebrated in the nation's capital last night.
The Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation, OCRI, honoured several tech companies in the region for innovative work and contributions to the city's knowledge-based sector at its 15th annual Awards gala at the Hilton Lac-Leamy.
The awards celebrate excellence in the areas of research, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, strategic partnerships and student accomplishments. New categories this year include the Research Award, Health Innovation Award and Student Entrepreneur of the Year. Nominations for the 11 categories were solicited from Ottawa's business and education community last December. A record number of nominations were reviewed by the Society of Collaborative Opportunities and Advancement of Professionals (SCOAP). In addition, Exploriem's Fastest Growing Bootstrap Startup Award was presented early in the evening.
"The award finalists represent key executives, business leaders, thinkers and strategists," said Claude Haw, President and CEO, OCRI. "Again this year the quality and caliber of the nominations was excellent and the numbers have increased. The impressive accomplishments of this evening's winners demonstrate a city that fosters world-class talent, innovative products and successful companies."
After a stellar year for his team and technology, Iain Christie, President of Neptec, explains why the company is so pleased to be recognized as a 2010 OCRI Award winner. "As recipient of the Product of the Year award, Neptec's team of scientists and engineers are honoured to be recognized by OCRI and the prestige it brings to our company, locally and internationally. The work OCRI does for the Ottawa technology and research industry is critical to ensuring that Ottawa remains competitive. We congratulate all finalists in the 2010 OCRI Awards."
The 2010 OCRI Awards recipients are:
OCRI Company of the Year presented to DragonWave
In recognition of DragonWave's leadership position in the high capacity packet microwave sector, exponential growth and continued global expansion combined with their commitment to Ottawa which raises the profile of local innovation and talent.
Next Generation Executive of the Year presented to Jason Flick, You i Labs
In recognition of his impressive track record and current involvement in the development of one of the Canadian Innovation Exchange's top 20 innovative companies.
Strategic Partnership of the Year presented to QNX and Alcatel-Lucent
In recognition of their combined efforts and success transforming a car into a first-class citizen of the Cloud which garnered immediate and overwhelming international media coverage in 2009.
Most Promising Startup of the Year presented to Telepin
In recognition of the success and impact of Telepin's Cayman mobile transaction infrastructure software and the company's ability to raise funds to support their growth.
Product of the Year presented to Neptec, TriDAR
In recognition of Neptec's latest space hardware, TriDAR, designed and manufactured in Ottawa and used in space on the Shuttle Discovery by a Canadian astronaut.
Service of the Year presented to UBM TechInsights
In recognition for the company's holistic approach to intellectual property management and its services that bridge the legal and technology worlds on more than 1,800 projects for over 200 clients.
Research Award presented to:
Dr. Robert Korneluk
In recognition for his leadership and contribution to the ApoptoGen team and their work in the field of programmed cell death and cancer research.
Dr. Duncan J. Stewart
In recognition of his many discoveries in vascular biology and genetic engineering as well as his pioneering new therapies that enhance the repair functionality of cells.
Health Innovation Award presented to Dr. Pierre Cardinal, CRI Critical Care Education Network
In recognition for the revolutionary impact of CRI on the delivery of critical care education resulting in measurable improvements in critical care including reductions in incidents, including deaths, in Ottawa and elsewhere in the country.
Student Researcher presented to Razib Iqbal, University of Ottawa
In recognition of his research in P2P adaptive video distribution and his compressed-domain adaptive video streaming system, called Dag-Stream, which allows for adaption, authentication and encryption of video on the fly.
Student Entrepreneur presented to Muhammad Arsalan and Atif Shamim
In recognition of taking their award-winning research to the next level, now in the early stages of commercialization with industry giants lining up as possible suitors.
High School Innovation presented to John McCrae Secondary School - Web 2.0 Site
In recognition of three teachers' development of a user-friendly website with a wiki front page that improves efficiency for administration and staff, but also serves parents and students.
Exploriem's Fastest Growing Bootstrap Startup presented to Telepin
In recognition for their rapid success and significant top line growth.
For more information, visit www.ocri.ca