1. Driving dynamic growth and success for Waterloo Region technology companies Cluster Update Toronto, Ontario May 5 th, 2005 Iain Klugman

2. In case you did not know… Waterloo Region is the Entrepreneur capital of Canada! And we’re growing!

3. Grass roots perspective Waterloo Region: Over 400 tech companies – 20,000 employees -- $6B impact History of Entrepreneurs going back 100 years – latest crop tech leaders University of Waterloo accounts for 22% of commercialization that happens at ALL universities across Canada Dedicated VC’s, Angel Org, Incubators – community that gets behind start-ups Entrepreneurial, Connected, Diverse

4. Few homegrown companies…

5. Who we are Communitech is a member-based organization driving the dynamic growth and success of Waterloo Region tech sector. Bottom-line: We help tech companies grow and succeed!

6. Our history Established in 1997 to represent a handful of tech companies – started as a ‘peer group’ Now with over 350 member organizations representing more than 25,000 employees Dedicated to developing the tech community in Waterloo Region into a Tier One tech cluster

7. Our approach Lead: Communitech is an active and effective driver on issues critical to the growth and success of Waterloo Regions tech sector. Connect: Well-informed and always networking, Communitech is the go-to information hub for members. Promote: Keenly aware of issues and opportunities, Communitech advocates for both the tech sector and Waterloo Region as a world class centre of technical enterprise.

8. Enterprise level focus Start-ups: Entrepreneurial programming Small to medium: Commercialization focus Medium to large:Exporting focus/Gov Relations All: Talent recruitment Workforce development Advocacy Networking

9. So, what are the issues from our perspective? Gaps… -- Financial -- Cultural -- Skills

10. Our focus Build capability in tech business Collaborate by bringing a “value chain” perspective Broker expertise thru coaching Partner with the universities to “pull” technology (as apposed to tech transfer) Work with over 60 start-ups and early stage companies annually Help Gazelles “graduate” to the next level Support global enterprises

11. News – We’re growing! Full-chain in place with PI Universities continue to grow and win Bio-Tech Guelph connections Venture support and growing small companies Tech Cluster Research Project with MEDT and IC University focus on understanding and development Accelerator Center Partnerships work – OCRI, ITAC, CRITA, YTA, etc., etc., etc.,

12. Thank You Iain Klugman, President COMMUNITECH TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION INC. 57 Erb Street West WATERLOO, ON N2L 6C2 (519) 888-9944 X22 Iain@communitech.ca