13 Oct 2017 BC Tech Launches the Cube – Canada’s First Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality Hub
After months of preparation, planning, and painting, the BC Tech Association launched Canada’s first virtual, augmented, and mixed reality hub, the Cube, this afternoon. Joined by members of the BC tech community, industry leaders, and prominent politicians, the Cube was officially opened with a virtual ribbon cutting by Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Navdeep Bains, BC Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, Bruce Ralston, and Vancouver Mayor, Gregor Robertson.
Located in Railtown, the Cube boasts a 6000 square foot floor plan that was designed to support and bolster the growing AR/VR/MR sector in BC. “This is the first virtual, augmented reality Hub in Canada. It’s a key part of the innovation ecosystem and a key piece of infrastructure for tech in British Columbia,” said Minister Bains. “It’s an exciting time to be standing here at the edge of a global virtual reality boom right here in British Columbia,” added Minister Ralston.
The Cube helps small, and mid-size AR/VR/MR companies grow by offering mentorship, world-class workshops, business development opportunities, and physical space in which to connect and hold events. “The Cube was built to stimulate the growth of companies and be a landing place for AR/VR/MR companies to succeed,” said Bill Tam, President, and CEO of the BC Tech Association. “The potential for the augmented, mixed, and virtual reality industry is huge. The estimates are that it will be a $100 billion industry by 2025. The Cube signals our intent to capture our fair share of that pie.”
Coinciding with the launch of the BC Tech Cube, Minister Bains also announced that the BC led Canadian Digital Supercluster consortium has been shortlisted to phase two of the application process for funding through the federal government’s Innovation Superclusters Initiative. “I am pleased to announce that the digital technology supercluster has been chosen as a shortlist finalist. This supercluster aims to make Canada faster, smarter, and more collaborative in inventing, developing, and applying digital technology. In doing so, it intends to advance data collection, analysis, and visualization to drive competitiveness across environmental and resource technologies, precision health, and manufacturing,” said Bains.
Through the Innovation Superclusters initiative, the federal government will invest up to $950 million in non-repayable contributions to the chosen superclusters. The investments are meant to help speed up the commercialization process, build capacity in strategic platform technologies, and boost the productivity and competitiveness of Canada’s leading economic sectors. Of the 50+ proposals received, nine were shortlisted, and up to five will be selected as Canada’s new superclusters.
Are you an AR/VR/MR company looking for a place to call home? Check out the Cube.
To find out more about BC’s Digital Technology Supercluster, click here.
To find out more about the Cube, click here.