By Linda Forrest
Yesterday, I attended several biotech-focused events that are part of National Biotechnology Week across Canada. In the afternoon, I had the opportunity to attend the Know the Money Life Sciences Financing Seminar featuring speakers from Gowlings, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Royal Bank of Canada, the National Resource Council and the Export Development Bank. Because a number of our clients, both past and present, are in the biotechnology space, it was interesting to learn about the challenges and opportunities that they face when seeking funding, whether through government programs, venture capital or other forms of investment. One point that stood out among the presentations was the fact that in the esteemed panel’s view, it’s the biotech equivalent to “rocket ships and not motor cars that are currently getting investment.”
After the seminar, it was time for Ottawa’s best and brightest life sciences companies and individuals to be honoured at the OCRI Life Sciences Achievement Awards Dinner. There were some fascinating projects and people that were recognized, including Variation Biotechnologies for its work in the creation of intelligent vaccines and Dr. May Griffith, the developer of an artificial cornea for both research and transplantation purposes who has created tremendous scientific success whilst moving labs multiple times, battling cancer and adopting a baby. Bravo! Our entire table was in awe of Dr. Griffith’s achievements in the face of such challenges. Congratulations to all of the winners.
By Linda Forrest
Last night, I attended the launch of the second season of the Young Business Network of the National Capital. This was my first time at an event put on by this organization, as it seems was the case for most of the attendees. It was a good opportunity to network with other young professionals and hear words of wisdom from Adrian Salamunovic from DNA 11, an intriguing company that we were first introduced to when its other co-founder spoke at a Junior Achievement of Eastern Ontario event last year, Kim Dixon from TalkSwitch, a celebrated businesswoman with a long history in Ottawa’s tech community and Kevin Dee, CEO of Eagle Professional Resources and the Ottawa Business Journal‘s CEO of the year in 2006. The theme was “inspiration” and each speaker had valuable insights into what they think are the keys to success. Adrian in particular talked about harnessing the power of public relations and how the coverage that his company has received in top tier publications has had a direct impact on the spectacular growth of his company from inception to 7-figure revenues in under two years. I’m looking forward to other events put on by this organization, of which I’m now a member, and am encouraged to see so many of Ottawa’s bright, talented young people looking to share ideas and network.
By Linda Forrest
Working in the technology realm as we do, it is inevitable that we encounter many, many acronyms in our daily work. A quick scan of the blogosphere reveals that it’s a hot topic amongst technology marketers like Chris Hoskin and analysts alike.
There are so many acronyms in play and unfortunately a lot of them overlap. When you see CMS, do you think it means content management system, or contact management system, or code management system, or client music synthesis, or…
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