The search is on - Who are the top Canadian startup work cultures?

It’s of the belief that there are three factors of importance in determining the success or the failure of a startup: The team (people), the inherent need for the product or service and the market factors in place at time of launch. But recently, after witnessing a growing number of people (everyone from newbie grads to experienced professionals) flock to startups and smaller, high growth organizations, there’s a fourth standout factor that plays into the mix of a company’s success or demise; the startup culture.

For a growing number of individuals, corporate culture (or lack there of) is perhaps one of the most important factors when determining a next career move. Over the next month, we’ll be profiling the top startup cultures in Canada, in an attempt to draw common characteristics of what makes a startup culture effective and how different Canadian company cultures stack up in today’s market.

Implementing a culture that affects a business positively and more importantly leaves high impact on its employees, is difficult to maintain as the company grows and new employees join. Companies today are forced to learn from their mistakes, grow and iterate in order to maintain top talent and visibility.

So, what are the freshest Canadian startup work cultures in the country right now? To help in our exploration of the top Canadian work and company cultures, tweet us, leave us your comments and thoughts on who should be called out as a standout in the Canadian startup environment. We’re looking forward to profiling the top ten startup cultures in Canada.

2010 was the year of the iPad. Who will disrupt the tablet market in 2011?

The future of tablets isn't clear cut and that's a common sentiment amongst the major recent players whom have emerged with competing technologies. A space that was in 2010 dominated by the iPad with an honourable mention to the Samsung Galaxy are seeing a game changing year in 2011. This year, Apple defined what we could do with a tablet; in 2011 look for new players to emerge with competing tablet stories as they all look to re-define the ecosystem. Here's a look at whose coming out with technologies that just might shift the industry in the coming year.

From a hardware perspective, the HP tablet is said to be exceptional in its execution with a consumable and intuitive design that's propelling HP to the forefront of this market. Negative? App access and depth will be nowhere near that of Apple.

read more

The future of online video and what it means for technologists

The changing face of online video is undeniable. According to B2C Marketer, recent online trends indicate that web generated video content will be a major player in 2011. For marketers, this shift in video technology moving to the mainstream will be the differentiator in terms of impact on business outcomes in the coming year. If the online video industry expands, this means that other mediums are now set to shrink. 

It’s no surprise then, with this shift and increased importance on the ‘multi-media’ of the web that online documentaries are becoming a force to be reckoned with and receiving the same investment in resources that their non-digital counterparts have been afforded in the past.

A first of its kind for Canadian audiences, we’re excited about HIGHRISE, the multi-year, multi-media collaborative documentary about the human experience in global vertical suburbs has already been featured on BoingBoing, and hundreds of blogs. It’s a documentary that pushes the boundaries of the genre both in form and content, according to director Katerina Cizek. The documentary was largely directed over Skype, Facebook and email with over 100 collaborators around the world.

Clearly, this is a genre that’s generating excitement and buzz by technologists globally. High profile columnists and decision makers alike are seeing the future of the online web to market films to a new and changing audience: Doug Saunders, columnist at the Globe and Mail and author of Arrival City along with culture/media critics such as Bill Barol at Forbes are just two influencers whom have generated praise for films like HiGHRISE and the genre as a whole.

The future of online video is just beginning to make waves with technologists, mediates and production companies – we’re looking forward to seeing what’s in store, globally as we shift into a post-Youtube era.

Canada's premier digital media conference ends with momentum: #nextMEDIA

On the second day of the 2010 nextMEDIA conference, produced by Achilles Media there was something for everyone - from the digital practitioner to the content producer, conference sessions were large in scope and wide in range.

Kicked off by Peter Tortorici, the helm of 3M proclaimed that reach is not enough when it comes to digital; it's about enablement. Fittingly so, Tortorici took an engaged audience through the various lifecycles of brands whom have used and leveraged digital properties to their advantage through funded entertainment. With a focus on the agency's role in this relationship Tortorici emphasized that the business of media has always been a reflection of lifestyle regardless of digital or traditional mediums. Ultimately, one could argue that it comes down to self-selected content. If everyone's view of the world depends on where they sit, then Tortorici is clearly of the viewpoint that relationships matter and sustainable, two way relationships at that, are of the uttmost importance.

Jordan Banks, Managing Director at Facebook Canada offered a refreshing vantage point on innovation in Canada and why it's not at par with the res of the world: "There's a problem with the fostering of innovation in Canada and it goes beyond the social web. Canada's entrepreneurs are highly competitive to those across the globe, however, Canada does not place the same importance on institutionalized investment that other countries support." Asked about what the social graph means for businesses, Banks explained that they can leverage power from this graph to determine social influence and ultimately, this is why businesses should care. Banks explained that the paradigm shift that has ultimately occured from a marketing standpoint is the fact that anonimity on the web no longer exists. "Fifteen years ago," said Banks, "people had screen names like skaterboy83. Now marketers can connect at a personal level which is the key shift in the social web." Banks confirmed the notion that appealing to people's vanity is a key driver in the path to purchase funnel: "Human Beings are still motivated by the Warholian fifteen minutes of fame."

In exploring the increasing shift in terms of technology, consumer adoption of broadband technologies and consumption of entertainment, games and video from online to broadband over mobile devices, a panel of experts which included Steve Billinger (consultant), Norm Bolen (Canadian Media Production Association) and David Neale (RIM), the discussion turned to the future of Canadian content generation and consumption. Bolen proclaimed that as an independent content producer, if you're giving away your rights you're giving away your future. He also offered the advice that "nothing cannibalizes anything. Have as many doors open to your content as you can." According to Billinger, no organization in Canada is in a partnership as substantive as that of online video service Hulu. Concentration of digital funding in Canada lags and Canadians need to consciously be aware of this. Neale explained that there is a demand for original content when it comes to broadband citing Will Ferrell's "Funny of Die" as an example of this.

With innovation at the forefront of every business discussion, 2010's nextMEDIA offered a unique look into the different channels, ideas and strategies that create connections, drive revenue and create lasting impressions across all verticals and geographies.

We're looking forward to the Canadian New Media Awards tomorrow which will showcase a number of innovative Canadian companies in the digital, tech and social space. Find out more here.

New York's Aviary enhances its offering with HTML5 Photo Editor

A couple weeks ago, I stopped by New York City's Aviary, a startup in the heart of the Silicon Alley whose mission is to make creation accessible to artists of every domain whether they be from the world of graphic design or audio editing. Aviary has focused on building a team of digitally-saavy professionals to maintain a set of powerful apps for web-based creation, with the intuitivness and stream-lined approached necessary for users whom are not only students of design, but cross-vertical.

Today, Aviary launched its new product, the HTML5 Photo editor, much to the demand of its partners and users. This photo editor, the details of which the company goes through thoroughly on its website, is in direct response to the fact that the company has focused primarily on its "creative" audience with its product development. Now, Aviary is recognizing that there's a huge market for their tools outside of the artist community.  The HTML5 Photo editor (codename: Feather) will allow users of third party websites to directly fix and retouch their photos without ever leaving those websites. Pretty cool, right?

According to the company, the reason for developing this product was simple:

Editing happens across the web, not just at Aviary.com. We realized that the best user experience is not being shuttled across the web to use functionality. So we wanted to provide an editing experience that let people stay in the same spot: The website.

Aviary's photo editor will be launching with the following partners: Digital Youth Network, Everloop, Fashism, HowMutch, Hyper Public, Market Publique, Rrripple, Saw You At Sinai, and Shopify.

Are you a developer and want to try out the HTML5 photo editor? It's free to use and free to implement on your site - go to www.aviary.com/html5

Former Sun Microsystem's exec joins Toronto's Syncapse in leadership role

Syncapse Corp today announced that David Nelson-Gal is joining the company as Chief Product Officer, effective immediately.
 
David Nelson-Gal brings more than twenty-five years of experience in enterprise software solutions to Syncapse. Formerly a Vice President of Engineering for Sun Microsystems, David has also held executive positions at Good Technology, a mobile software business, SocialiSoft, a provider of online community software, and Interwoven, a web content and document management solutions provider used by some of the top web properties and brands around the world.
 
In this new role, David will be responsible for leading Syncapse’s product management team and spearheading development of the company’s enterprise-grade software products, recognized by Mashable as being among the top essential social media tools for marketers.  In particular, David will lead the development of the Syncapse Platform™, a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology for marketers launched at Ad:Tech New York earlier this month.

Who else is playing in this space? What's the future of social media tools from a platform approach? We'd love to hear your comments.

Canada's 2010 Hottest innovation companies announced

Earlier this evening, the Canadian Innovation Exchange along with event organizer Achilles Media announced its 2010 list of Canada's Hottest Innovation Companies. The three categories (Digital Media, Clean Tech and Information and Communications Technology) encompass a forward moving trend in technology plus entrepreneurship within the country and it's great to see this type of talent at play.

Winners will be announced December 7th at the CIX awards gala at the Mars Discovery District centre. The nominees are:

DIGITAL MEDIA

  • Adenyo - Ottawa
  • Psyko Audio Labs - Calgary
  • Social Game Universe - Toronto
  • TrendHunter - Toronto
  • Chaordix - Calgary
  • Chango - Toronto
  • Wantsa - Vancouver
  • 360 Replays Ltd. - Brandon, MB
  • gShift Labs - Barrie, ON

CLEANTECH

  • Calisolar - Vaughn, ON
  • ENBALA Power Networks - Toronto
  • Nemalux LED Lighting - Calgary
  • GreenMantra Recycling Systems - Toronto
  • Global Emissions - Whitby, ON
  • Global Wind Group Inc. - Winnipeg

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES

  • Kobo Books - Toronto
  • Bluecat Networks - Toronto
  • GestureTek - Toronto
  • Ethoca - Toronto
  • Locationary - Toronto
  • Xtreme Labs - Toronto
  • Vineyard Networks - Kelowna, BC
  • Teldio - Kanata, ON
  • cfactor Works - Sasktatoon, SK
  • Tungle Corp. - Montreal

For more information, visit the CIX website.

And the winner of a FREE ticket to the Ad Lounge Conversuasion is...

...Amanda Fraioli! In Amanda's words, here's why she wanted to attend Adlounge:

It would be so amazing if I could attend this event! Would love to see and hear stories from industry leaders. It would be a great experience and very inspirational for me.

Amanda is the lucky winner of one complimentary pass to Conversuasion taking place on October 28th. Interested in attending this event? You can buy tickets here.

Winner should email trina@adlounge.ca to claim your ticket!

WIN a ticket to this week's Conversusaion sponosred by Ad Lounge!

Comment on this post and we'll pick (at random) a lucky Techvibes reader to win a pass to this week's Conversuasion on October 28th at the Arts and Letters Club in Toronto. Winners will be announced Tuesday, October 26th - follow @soniyamonga for winner announcement!

The third event of its kind, Conversuasion celebrates the value of great ideas and storytelling in the communications industry. The evening features an oral history from renowned storytellers:

  • Jim Marcus, Group Creative Director, Tribal DDB Chicago. Topic: Aligning People to Solve Problems
  • Mia Wedgbury, CEO, High Road Communications. Topic: The Living Nature of Your Culture: Cultivating or Killing It
  • Greg Hounslow, Emerging Media Advisor, WestJet. Topic: From Polar Bears to Social Media

Conversuasion will impart to the next generation of ad types the kind of lessons that a text book simply cannot match. For more information and to register for this innovative event, visit www.adlounge.ca/conversuasion. 
 
What:  Conversuasion (an oral history from the characters that shape our industry)
When:   Thursday, October 28, 2010, at 6:30 p.m.
Where:  The Arts and Letters Club, 14 Elm Street, Toronto (just east of Yonge St.)
Cost:   Tickets are $99 and can be purchased at www.adlounge.ca/conversuasion.
 
Conversuasion has been made possible through the generous support of its sponsors. Presenting sponsor is DDB Canada. Gold sponsor is Sheridan College. Other contributors include Strategy Magazine, STIMULANT, Design Edge Canada, Pirate Toronto, Pandor Productions, Communicate New Media, Mike Edge Videos, Twist of Lemon Design, and the mesh group.

Ad Lounge is an organization that creates innovative, educational and experiential events for professionals in Toronto's advertising, design, marketing and communications industries. Founded in 2001, Ad Lounge brings together industry leaders to stimulate ideas, build business alliances and provide learning opportunities about issues and trends pertaining to the advertising industry. 

Funding grows for Toronto's Syncapse Corp.

The last time we spoke to Syncapse Corp, the company had just acquired London based Nudge Social Media.  Today, Syncapse announced the successful completion of a $2 million round of financing from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). The funds will be used for further product research and development.
 
According to the company, "This announcement follows Syncapse’s first round of private equity financing in which the company raised $3.3 million USD. The initial funds raised were used to fuel Syncapse’s global expansion and invest in product development for SocialTALK™, the leading social media management software for brand marketers and agencies. Syncapse invested nearly $10 million in product development in 2010 and is on track to invest a similar amount in 2011."
 
Syncapse’s Board of Directors includes Rob Burgess, former CEO of Macromedia Inc., and Ian Giffen, Chairman of The Descartes Systems Group Inc. and a Director of MKS Inc., Absolute Software Inc., and Ruggedcom Inc. Syncapse’s growth plans for the remainder of 2010 include adding more talent in the areas of sales, technical development and marketing, launching several major social campaigns for clients, and announcing the appointment of new members to its Board of Directors. 
 
According to Syncapse President and CEO Michael Scissons the company is "committed to building best-in-class software solutions to help brand marketers and agencies build, manage and measure their customer relationships.  This funding will accelerate research and development for our growing suite of products.”