WEtech Alliance
Founded2011
TypeNon-Profit Organization, Regional Innovation Center
FocusAssist technology companies in Windsor-Essex / Chatham-Kent
Headquarters2455 Wyandotte Street West, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Region
Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent
ServicesBusiness Advisory, Startup Acceleration
CEO
Yvonne Pilon
Websitewww.wetech-alliance.com

WE Tech Alliance (stylized as WEtech Alliance or WE•tech Alliance) is a Canadian non-profit Regional Innovation Centre located in Windsor, Ontario servicing the counties of Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.

Goal

WEtech Alliance states that their main goal is "to help grow tech companies of all stages and champion innovation in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent."[1] They do this by providing a variety of different services for startup technology companies, in an effort to build a larger tech sector in the areas serviced.[2] This goal is emphasized by a need for greater economic diversity in the city of Windsor.[3] WEtech, along with other organizations, are working to make technology a key part of Windsors economy going forward.[4]

History

WEtech Alliance was created in 2010, originally founded as the Softech Alliance Network by a group of local entrepreneurs. In February 2011, the Software Alliance Network changed their name to WEtech Alliance and partnered with the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE) to become the official Regional Innovation Centre for the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent counties.[5] The organization began based out of the Windsor Downtown Accelerator, a business incubator in Windsor.[6] Here, WEtech offered their services to technology startups based in the facility. In 2017, WEtech moved out of the Windsor Accelerator and relocated to the EPIcentre at the University of Windsor, another startup accelerator focused on aiding students from the University of Windsor. WEtech, however, is still focused on assisting prospect entrepreneurs from all of Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.[7]

Finances

WEtech is funded by external sponsors, who provide both financial funding and non-monetary resources. Their main partners are the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs and the Ontario Centres of Excellence, through whom they serve as a Regional Innovation Centre. They also receive funding from the University of Windsor as part of the EPICentre, the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and various other local businesses and organizations.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Who We Are – WEtech Alliance". Retrieved 2019-07-04.
  2. ↑ Campbell, Taylor (2019-02-28). "WEtech Alliance launches program to encourage innovation in large organizations". Windsor Star. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
  3. ↑ Viau, Jason (Mar 25, 2019). "Preventing Windsor from becoming a 'depressed area,' expert urges diversification". CBC. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  4. ↑ "CBC Windsor panel on diversification talks retaining talent, reaction to FCA". Mar 29, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  5. ↑ "WEtech Annual Impact Report" (PDF). WEtech Alliance. March 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-17.
  6. ↑ "WEtech Alliance: Chatham-Kent and Windsor/Essex Technology Accelerator - Economic Development - Chatham-Kent". www.chatham-kent.ca. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  7. ↑ Caton, Mary (2017-02-23). "WEtech Alliance: New home, same mission". Windsor Star. Retrieved 2019-07-17.
  8. ↑ "Our Partners – WEtech Alliance". Retrieved 2019-07-17.
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