CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT
Envisioning The Windsor/Detroit Automotive Innovation Super-Hub By Arthur Barbut
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huge opportunity lies in the shared knowledge and expertise in automotive and manufacturing, which have made Windsor and Detroit, the respective automotive capitals of Canada and the U.S. The key is connecting technology and innovation disrupters who specialize in that area, with the huge knowledge base of automotive and manufacturing available in Windsor/Detroit. In his latest CAR magazine interview, Sergio Marchionne, CEO of FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), provides his insight into what this might look like . . . “I think the next paradigm of this business is a paradigm that involves the cooperation for technology with the disruptors.” We believe Windsor/Detroit is the ideal region to bring this vision to reality. This region will become a hotbed for start-ups, developing the next wave of disruptive technologies for the automotive sector. Windsor/Detroit offers the perfect playground to connect this innovation with the people and spaces where the vehicles are built. The Accelerator and its partners are at the forefront of this movement and are already working with many companies in this space. One of the excellent strategic partnerships that has occurred over the past two years is the collaboration between the Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator (Accelerator) and the Windsor Essex Capital Angel Network (WECAN), which is an active member of Angel Investors Ontario, as well as being engaged with angel organizations from both Canada and the U.S. such as NACO, OBIO, MVCA and ACA. WECAN is one of the few angel organizations in North America to actually work out of a business incubator/ accelerator — the Accelerator. This provides them with great insight into the type of companies, and more importantly
Arthur Barbut of the Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator is photographed during a conversation exchanging thoughts about the future of Windsor with Sergio Marchionne, CEO of FCA at the “Georgie-Odette Leadership Symposium.” Photo courtesy of a student attending the event.
the type of start-up founders, to invest in. It also provides the Accelerator members an immense advantage because they can receive first hand feedback and advice on how to raise capital from the most important source, the angel investors. WECAN has worked with a number of truly inspiring companies in 2016-2017 — ACERTA using machine learning, statistical analysis, big data and complex algorithms to detect anomalies and predict failures in real time for vehicles coming off the assembly line and in the field. VELOMETRO, the “un-car” in the car sharing marketplace bringing a fully enclosed pedal-electric single person vehicle to the global car sharing marketplace. Vemo ticks all the last mile car sharing boxes for civic transit solutions — a liveable city solution that facilitates a modal shift to zero emissions and a healthy lifestyle. CORA Cyber Security, a step beyond encryption providing unbreakable cyber security for vehicle access, protection against potential highway high-jacking of electronically and electronic systems, as well as the storage of confidential data.
As well, WECAN has worked across the border to establish relationships with U.S. Angel Investment Groups like Blue Water and Great Lakes, also exchanging great Canadian and U.S. start-up companies including: SURCLEAN, which has developed an automated, laser coating removal solution, which creates less waste, is less labour intensive and is 16X faster than chemicals. As a Michigan Venture Capital Association member, WECAN was invited to the “AutoMobili-D” show at Cobo prior to the “NAIAS” in Detroit to meet with TechStar Mobility startups, including companies from the U.S., Mexico and Canada with some real standouts like: HAASALERT (the smart city); INVENTEV (supply chain); VETELIA (electric bikes); SPATIAL (mapping) and WEATHER TELEMATICS (live road conditions). Each of these disruptive technologies is dramatically superior to the current status quo bringing innovation, cost competitiveness and benefits to society while offering WECAN Investors key opportunities to support made in North America Solutions from Canadian and U.S. start-ups and early stage companies. There is truly a huge opportunity to position the Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator as a North American automotive/manufacturing/technology innovation super-hub, through strategic partnerships with WECAN Investors and other Canadian/U.S. business incubators/accelerators. This will offer Canadian start-ups looking to expand into the U.S. market, with specialized support through cross-border business programs and entrepreneurial advancement. It will also offer U.S. start-ups their first opportunity to go global by establishing a footprint in Canada. This will increase the region’s competitiveness on the global stage and position Windsor/Detroit at the forefront of entrepreneurial innovation.
For more information regarding the Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator, 720 Ouellette Avenue and how you can become a positive contributor to the region’s entrepreneurs, please contact Managing Director, Arthur Barbut by emailing: Arthur@downtownaccelerator.com. B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
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