THIS WEEK IN TECTORIA

A community blog celebrating Victoria's booming tech sector

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Got a cool story about technology and creativity in Victoria? Email stories, tips, pictures, links and anything of interest to Tessa Bousfield at: tectoria@viatec.ca

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Stocksy United

May 21, 2015 by Tessa Bousfield

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The stock photo industry has made a huge pivot thanks to local co-operative, Stocksy United, and they just became a finalist for the Innovative Excellence VIATEC Technology Award because of it.

The galleries on stocksy are jaw-dropping. The images are all unique, colourful, full of imagination and something you might rather hang on your wall then put in a brochure.


There are many differences between Stocksy and other stock image companies, one of which is Stocksy’s photographers are invited and curated into the collection. This means you don’t have to search through endless pages of images to find something good, they do that for you.

Stocksy also doesn’t stop at photography.

They feature one-on-one interview pieces, travel stories and even food recipes. All with stunning photos to back-up the well written content, of course. You can spend hours on this website.

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To top it all off, Stocksy United is a multi-stakeholder co-operative, which means all of their photographers are also co-owners of the company.

“Almost every single person who works for Stocksy is also a photographer, from client relations to our lawyer,” commented Brianna Wettlaufer, CEO/Co-Founder. “When we say we love photography, it’s very personal to us.”

They’re collectively driven by their shared vision for creative integrity and sustainable business practices. The community behind Stocksy gains its strength through the open collaboration and support of ideas, experience, and artistic vision.

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The Stocksy team (united)

“Share the wealth” could also be their motto. Their financial structure is designed to pay out the majority of profits, with 50% of the initial royalty ($5-$50) and 75% of every extended license going directly into the photographer’s pockets. At the end of each year, the co-operative’s profits are distributed back to its members, with their membership growing by 500 every year.

“We’ve worked really hard to be where we are today,” commented Breanna. “It’s been two years of grit and sacrifice while being crammed into a small office with workstations on top of each other. We’re just finally coming up for air and are making time for fun together.”

At the end of last year they moved into their new, custom-renovated office in Market Square.

“The transparency of being a co-op definitely shows in our day-to-day business,” commented Breanna. “We have an open floor plan, collaborative workspace, and a fairly flat hierarchy. Everyone knows what every department is doing, and we are accountable to each other and respect each other. And one day soon maybe we’ll get a ping pong table.”

The team is incredibly proud that Stocksy is based in Victoria, BC and they are really excited to see the tech scene taking off here.

“Stocksy isn’t the most ‘out there’ socially, but we are here to support the tech scene any way we can. If you need photos, let us know! Or even stop by Fridays after 3:30 pm to come say hi and have a beer.”

Their office is located in Market Square and their photographers are… everywhere!

www.stocksy.com

Filed Under: Tectorian of the Week Tagged With: co-operative, johnson st., johnson street, market square, photographers, photography, royalties, stock, stock photos, stocksy, stocksy united, tectoria, Tectorian of the Week, Victoria

Jason Long, Engenuics

May 14, 2015 by Tessa Bousfield

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Jason Long created Engenuics 15 years ago in Calgary, without even realizing it.

Engenuics innovates custom hardware and firmware for companies all over the world and they’re based in Victoria, right beside CAMACC Systems and Schneider Electric off Keating Cross Road.

Just after the “Y2K” frenzy at the millennium mark, Jason (Founder and President of Engenuics), began trying to learn what wasn’t being taught in electrical engineering programs; the exciting, practical, hands-on stuff. He decided to start teaching for free in Calgary to peers as a way to be accountable so he couldn’t throw in the towel easily. The room started to fill up and before he knew it, 10 years had gone by.

In 2010, he officially incorporated Engenuics. In 2012 he was full time with the company and won a prestigious engineering award for his mentorship. In 2013, he moved to Victoria, found VIATEC and Engenuics became a finalist for Startup of the Year at the VIATEC Technology Awards.

“The orca we scored is hanging from the ceiling in the office,” reflected Jason. “We started to get to know the VIATEC team while working hard to build relationships with people on the island, and we were lucky enough to get a couple of nominations. Prepping for [the award] was a great experience and working with VIATEC to do the video was awesome. For a little company like Engenuics, that nomination really was significant and we were able to leverage it. It was humbling to be up there with some pretty amazing companies.”

The company has been unstoppable since. “[In 2013 we were] bursting at the seams with ideas but cautiously progressing as a bootstrapped company has to do,” explained Jason. “Now in 2015 we have an office, four employees, and some crazy good things are happening.”

L to R: Cameron Smith, Alex Koszegi, Jason Long and Emily Elias: the awesome team that is Engenuics Technologies.

L to R: Cameron Smith, Alex Koszegi, Jason Long and Emily Elias: the awesome team that is Engenuics Technologies.

The team at Engenuics supports electronic developers and hobbyists by providing excellent learning platforms and essential tools born from their own design work of embedded systems.

“We try to find a way to teach through all of the work we complete, and thus have a growing lineup of valuable training courses unlike anything that exists,” commented Jason.  “What we’re really striving towards is redefining how engineers in the industry are trained, and our very unique experience enables us to build relationships between companies, universities and students in a rather glorious win-win-win way.”

Students having fun soldering at the first MPG at UVic in 2013.

Students having fun soldering at the first MPG at UVic in 2013.

This year is looking very promising for Engenuics; they’re right at their tipping point. A few weeks ago they invited Grade 8 students to get a glimpse of Engenuics and they were all able to dive in by soldering devices, the hands-on approach Jason is so passionate about. They have also launched youth summer camps and they’ve formed a great relationship with a major electronics company (more details being announced soon). Lastly, with the success of their free program at UVic and three other schools, they’re upgrading their university program and hope to offer it to even more schools.

“I want to keep growing as a company and as an individual so that I can reach more people. I love to give stuff away, and usually it’s my wife who reminds me that a company is supposed to make money at some point. But hey, we pay our bills, and even though I make less than our co-op student and I still clean the office toilets, I have never been happier and more excited about what I do each day.”

Jason Long presents Brody Holden with the MPG bursary at the UVic wrap-up party on March 26, 2015.

Jason Long presents Brody Holden with the MPG bursary at the UVic wrap-up party on March 26, 2015.

Filed Under: Tectorian of the Week

Smart Dolphins IT Solutions

May 7, 2015 by Tessa Bousfield

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Smart Dolphins IT Solutions
’ vital signs are in tip-top shape and they definitely won’t have a problem surpassing the average lifespan of a Bottlenose Dolphin.

Smart Dolphins just turned 15 years old. They are a provider of award-winning computer support and networking for businesses in the Greater Victoria area and elsewhere on Vancouver Island. In addition to their excellent services, they have earned two VIATEC Technology Awards: VIATEC Member of the Year (2008) and Employer of the Year (2012).

“15 years ago I was sitting in the backroom of our townhouse preparing to take my new found skills to market,” reflected Dave Monahan, founder. “I was brainstorming business names. I was considering my hourly rate. I was carving Smart Dolphins into a shingle. I wondered who I could approach first. Smart Dolphins was preparing for launch. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was young and figured now would be a great time to give my own business a go.”

Some of their clients include Access Records, Kidsport Victoria and Megson FitzPatrick. Smart Dolphins can sell and install a new computer network from the ground up, tweak an existing network or they can simply serve to keep computers behaving nicely. They install, configure and troubleshoot both hardware and software. They take on big IT projects or answer the smallest of help desk type questions.

A few of our favourite features of their website are the “Dolphin Ditties” and “Pod Pointers”. The Ditties are helpful video tutorials that help make your days a little easier. The videos cover anything from a cool, new software, using software to its fullest potential or precautions you should take online. The Pointers are a similar concept, but in a blog format instead of video.

The team at Smart Dolphins works hard, plays hard and treats their clients like they’re a part of the pod.

The "Dol-Fan wall"

The “Dol-Fan wall”

They have a “Dol-Fan” wall where guests sign in by writing their name on a dolphin and adding it to the wall. A staff member is blindfolded monthly and picks a name off the wall so they can give them a $100 cash prize.

Paul Holmes just joined their team and they gave him a Nerf Gun initiation (See the torture happen here), and he was actually seen at Smart Dolphins’ Charity Poker Tournament shortly before he was hired. Maybe he impressed everyone with his card skills…

Charity Poker Tournament

Charity Poker Tournament

“I don’t have a crystal ball, but I am confident and passionate about our future,” commented Monahan. “Smart Dolphins is improving lives through business excellence and the leveraged use of technology. We’re denting the universe. I can’t wait to see what we can do with another 3900 weekdays.”

Filed Under: Tectorian of the Week Tagged With: Access Records, Kidsport Victoria, Megson FitzPatrick, Smart Dolphins, Smart Dolphins IT Solutions, Victoria

Noah Gislason

April 30, 2015 by Tessa Bousfield

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Well this is a first on the Tectoria blog… A Tectorian who hasn’t graduated high school yet?!

Noah Gislason is 13 years old, attends Maria Montessori Academy and he just wrapped up a week-long internship with the team at VIATEC, so we thought we’d give him the spotlight!

Noah enjoys swimming, reading, writing and his favourite subject is Literature and English.

“You get to read interesting books and write about whatever you want, as long as it’s the correct format; like an essay on the best invention or a second person debate speech,” commented Noah.

Noah’s school is unique in that every grade eight student needs to complete an internship around communities or a business hub in Greater Victoria. The school motto is “Education for Life” so they encourage their students to experience essential life skills to prepare them for life beyond school.

Noah hard at work on the 4th floor of Fort Tectoria.

Noah hard at work on the 4th floor of Fort Tectoria.

“I selected VIATEC as my ideal internship option because it was an interesting, progressive non-profit tech association,” explained Noah. “I thought they would be perfect for my interests and getting to see all the new and growing tech companies.”

Noah impressed the team with his knowledge of Excel by organizing files for the Fiscal Year and he bounced around Fort Tectoria pitching in wherever he could. He assisted the Facilities Manager, worked at the Ground Control Café, helped with event summarization, and completed inventory on the room full of VIATEC swag. During his experience at Ground Control Cafe, customers and staff quickly noticed his large vocabulary and knew he was a bright kid.

“What I really like about Victoria is that it is a strong, robust economy with varied job options in tech, business, and researching all in one city,” commented Noah. “When the older generations start leaving the workplace right around the time my generation will be entering the workplace, there will be even more job options… Minus a bit of the competition found among the millennial’s.”

When asked what Noah wants to be when he grows up…

“I have some more grounded ideas like being a doctor, lawyer, researcher or somewhere like VIATEC, but then I also have crazy ideas like solving crimes from a desk over at INTERPOL.”

What ever his path, we’re confident Noah Gislason has a bright future ahead of him and he may just end up being your boss one day.

Like hearing about awesome people like Noah?

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Filed Under: Tectorian of the Week Tagged With: Ground Control Cafe, internship, Maria Montessori Academy, Noah Gislason, Viatec

AML Oceanographic Ltd.

April 23, 2015 by Tessa Bousfield

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Announced earlier this month, AML Oceanographic Ltd. (AML) has been selected to supply CTDs (Instruments used to determine the conductivity, temperature, and depth of the ocean), for Ocean Networks Canada’s Smart Oceans™ program. We thought this would be the perfect time to name AML as our Tectorian of the Week!

AML impressed everyone at last year’s VIATEC Technology Awards when they won the Innovative Excellence Award for their UV•Xchange product. It’s an environmentally friendly device that keeps things from growing on sensors in the ocean with the use of ultraviolet (UV) light. Well, we don’t think there’s a UV light around that can stop THEM from continuing to grow.

AML is a vendor of choice for sound velocity measurement for a wide range of marine survey organizations and manufacturers of multi-beam, single-beam, ntrusion detection, and USBL/LBL positioning systems. They are a Canadian manufacturer that does 95% of their business globally and overseas, and they’re right here in Victoria.

Ocean Networks Canada’s Smart Ocean Systems™ are Advanced Ocean Sensor and Instrument Technologies that capture data such as temperature, current, CO2 levels, seismometer readings, and acoustic and video recordings.

AML will assist the Smart Oceans™ program by deploying Metrec•X instruments on cabled observatory platforms off Canadian coasts to provide data imperative to improving environmental monitoring and marine safety. AML’s award-winning UV•Xchange and Cabled UV will prevent biofouling of Xchange™ and other environmental sensors on each CTD, in addition to other critical surfaces of the platform. The prevention of fouling-induced drift will allow the sensors to provide accurate data for the duration of the in-situ deployments.

This is great news and we’re excited to see where AML Oceanographic goes from here.

Ocean Networks Canada also happens to be on the shortlist for the Ocean Innovation Award for their Community Fishers mobile app! (You can vote for them right here, #11).

 

Filed Under: Tectorian of the Week Tagged With: AML, AML Oceanographic Ltd, CTDs, Innovative Excellence, Ocean Networks Canada, Smart Oceans, viatec awards, VIATEC Technology Awards

Jake West

April 9, 2015 by Tessa Bousfield

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Jake West is the epitome of a triple threat: He’s an innovative educator, an entrepreneur and a performer… with a specialty in circus acts (you’ve probably seen him down at the Inner Harbour). He’s someone you’d want at your cocktail party, someone you’d want to shape the minds of future generations AND someone you’d want to do business with.

Jake is an educator at the Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry, the leading school for change and innovation in the entire province. It’s a one-room school house exploding with 3D printers, LEDs and eager youth.

“We are doing amazing things. I am trying to provide kids with the same level of freedom and opportunity to pursue their own personal learning, as the most innovative companies in the world currently do like Pixar and Google,” commented Jake. “Everyday for me is about creation with the kids and the ‘whoa, we are making some awesome stuff.’”

For $10 you can see what Jake and his students have been up to on April 18th at their Theatre Show at Berwick House.

As an entrepreneur, Jake fuses everything he does and everything he teaches. He’s a Monetary Historian, Salesman and Analyst with a particular focus on the technology sector and commodities.

“One thing that I would like to highlight is that Dan Gunn has given us tremendous support to develop cutting edge products for VIATEC,” commented Jake. “We are working furiously to get them done for Dan by the VIATEC Awards, so everyone can see an example of what happens when you enable super talented teenagers to shoot for the moon. We have been getting mentored by engineers from Limbic Media and the kids are actually getting a real experience of what it means to develop a startup and how to work as a team to get things done. I can’t think of a more relevant learning experience for the times we live in.”

Jake has only lived in Victoria for two years and last year he earned himself the VIATEC Technology Award for Education Champion. Now that’s impressive.
(Nominations are still open for this year’s champions).

“I am never leaving this town. I love the fact that I can hang out with incredibly creative people downtown, go to delicious restaurants and then it is only a 10 minute drive to swim in the lake.  Not many cities have that.”

Like hearing about awesome people like Jake?

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Filed Under: Tectorian of the Week Tagged With: Limbic Media, Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry, PSII, Viatec, viatec awards, Victoria

Go2mobi

April 1, 2015 by Tessa Bousfield

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Our Tectorian of the Week is Go2mobi, a Mobile Audience Targeting Platform right here in Victoria that delivers traffic to advertisers, driving over 25,000 mobile marketing actions each day.

Go2mobi was founded in 2011 by Gavin Aitken and Tom Desaulniers and it’s been delivering proprietary technologies media buyers love, ever since. Go2mobi specializes in Mobile Advertising, Ad Network, Media Buying, Mobile Strategy, App Advertising and Demand Side Platforms.

A few weeks ago, Go2mobi announced the introduction of Mobile Native Ads and Mobile Remarketing Lists, proving this Victoria-based company is continuing to pick up momentum.

Native ads are ads that fit more seamlessly within a user’s native app experience. An example of this can be seen on your favourite social media or news app. Go2mobi has given its users a way to test the look of a Native ad and implement it to produce even better results.

The new Mobile Remarketing List tool allows performance marketers (those who buy media), to take possession of their data in order to use it again to make other mobile marketing campaigns successful in the future.

These are both major milestones for Go2mobi and they are very proud at what they have accomplished. They even celebrated with pancakes and mimosas this past Monday!

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Their first platform, the industry renowned Go2mobi Tracker™, was such a hit the Go2mobi team took the best parts (like ultra-granular reporting and industry-leading optimization) and developed the Go2mobi Mobile Audience Targeting Platform™, the most targeted mobile ad network in the world. Yes, WORLD.

And, it even earned them a VIATEC Technology Award for Product of the Year in 2014 and Startup of the Year in 2013!

Go2mobi’s platform includes:

  • Self-serve or managed CPM ad network
  • Over 300 billion available impressions per month from all countries
  • Exclusive traffic from top tier apps and mobile websites
  • Integration with all major mobile real-time bidding exchanges for additional scale
  • Industry leading campaign analytics and optimization features
  • Brand-safe quality control with total transparency.

Campaign Types on Go2mobi:

  • BRANDING – Go2mobi provides proprietary tools to track various branding actions to ensure your ads are targeting engaged consumers. Banners, Native Ads, Rich Media, Video, Geo-Fencing, 3rd Party and Proprietary Audience Data. They provide full service campaign management.
  • GAMES – Go2mobi traffic drives 10,000’s of iOS and Android game installs each day.
  • MOBILE WEB ADVERTISERS – Go2mobi’s self-serve platform delivers high quality users to mobile websites for just about any product on the mobile web, but especially mobile content (ringtones, wallpapers), dating, click-to-call, lead generation, and much more.

Each month Go2mobi provides a roundup of some of the most informative and interesting mobile marketing links from around the web, called Mobile Marketing Madness. Have a read, it’s a great habit to get into and you can impress your friends with all the new stuff you know.

Keep a watchful eye on this local success story, Tectoria!

 

Filed Under: Tectorian of the Week

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