Popping Corks. Seriously!
Here we come 2021 – bring it on! Don’t get me wrong, 2020 had many positives, but none of us could have predicted what happened, the tragedy, and the loss. So, this final newsletter of 2020 is about the great stories and things that happened and what we have to look forward to. Happy holidays!
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5 Big Takeaways from 2020
My faith in Atlantic Canada’s tech sector has never been stronger. This was the surprising realization that COVID-19 gave me and so many, as we saw the resilience and potential of our people and companies. In my final post of the year, I reflect on the five biggest things this singular year has confirmed for me.
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A Digital Boost Update
Jacob Dunnett, Digital Boost Program Manager
Many companies want to adopt more technology to increase their resilience and productivity but just don’t know where to start.
Enter Digital Boost. In August, TechImpact, with the support of ACOA and GNB, launched this pilot program to help export-focused N.B. companies cross the digital divide by pairing them with local technology providers.
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The response was incredible. Companies in transportation, drilling and mining, food and beverage, manufacturing and more signed on with projects in ERP and CRM implementations, e-commerce, digital marketing, process automation, moving to the cloud, and cybersecurity, to name a few.
Digital Boost is win-win. Local companies are on a stronger technology path, while our tech providers benefit from the business, capacity-building and awareness. We hope to offer more in 2021. We will report back soon on the impact these projects have had for N.B. businesses.
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Year-End Thoughts from Industry Leaders
Here are some thoughts from leaders in our industry who every day are doing work to grow our region’s economy. It’s not been an easy year, but they continue to inspire their teams and bring a can-do attitude to everything they do. Cheers to you!
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Kathryn Lockhart, Propel
“Though new to this ecosystem, I am nothing but optimistic for 2021. The year will be what we make it, and from what I see, our region has all the right ingredients to take our tech industry to the next level.”
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Jeff White, NBIF
"In 2021, we will see continued building of momentum and renewed confidence. We will enter the year with the notion that it is because of being here that we can deliver world-class research and companies solving global opportunities."
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Malcolm Fraser, Innovacorp
“2021 is going to be an exciting year. If history teaches us anything, challenging economic circumstances instigate more innovation and the corporate change required to realize the value of innovation.”
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Kendra MacDonald, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“The energy around Canada’s ocean opportunity is incredibly exciting and inspiring, with a membership of almost 350 and growing. We will keep building on our momentum as an ocean nation and building back bluer!”
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Tyson Johnson, CyberNB
“This year placed the digital economy under a spotlight. Now, all citizens are keenly aware of the need for resiliency and security in the digital landscape across which we all operate. This has created increased opportunities for technology companies and entrepreneurs to grow and develop new, innovative ways to support the global digital economy.”
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Barbara Ells, Venn Innovation
“ We have seen success demonstrated in many ways – from pivots to partnerships, financing, and acquisitions, all of which will lead to continued growth in the region.”
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Eric Cook, RPC
“The pandemic was devasting for many and disruptive for most. In searching for positives, an intervention or crisis can stimulate change, some of which leads to innovation. Three positives as we look forward to the new year: an appreciation for technology, for value from the supply chain, and for productivity.”
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Larry Shaw, Ignite Fredericton
“We saw New Brunswickers dig deep and join forces to implement change. Some of those changes are important to keep post-COVID, such as the adoption rate of e-visits for healthcare. Our history in technology and innovation was critical to the way we managed the challenges of 2020.”
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Wayne Sumarah, Digital Nova Scotia
“As we’ve seen with the challenges of the global pandemic, now more than ever the tech sector can play a leadership role in transforming and accelerating economic growth as the digital economy continues to gain momentum.”
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Paul Eisner, Mariner
“Mariner is completing its best year ever, despite the pandemic. We focused on our services and solutions that could be marketed and delivered remotely. We assisted clients in accelerating their digital transformations that were suddenly top priority.”
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