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10 YEARS OF TECH AND INNOVATION

February 11th, 2021 marks an important milestone for WEtech Alliance. It’s a big anniversary – we’ve officially been around for a decade.

From humble beginnings in a corner office of Next Dimensions’ head office, to our current co-location inside University of Windsor’s EPICentre, the organization set out to champion the development and growth of the region’s entrepreneurial talent and tech ecosystem.

Over the last ten years, we’ve helped entrepreneurs find their first desk, their first customer, their first investor, their first international market and even their first employee.

To celebrate this birthday we’re taking a trip down memory lane to reflect on the accomplishments, challenges and victories of our local tech community that WEtech Alliance has been a part of, since our inception. Most importantly, we want to highlight the people who have played pivotal roles in helping shape what WEtech Alliance is today.

2011

• Regional Innovation Centre: WEtech Alliance is born

Windsor-Essex FIRST program was established in 2011 with Sandwich Secondary School Sabre Robotics (Team 772)

• Startup Drinks Windsor Chapter is Launched

• Windsor-Essex named Top 7 Smartest Communities

2012

• WEtech Alliance moves to the Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator

• WEtech Alliance welcomes Startup Canada Tour in Windsor – the country’s first-ever, entrepreneur-led, national movement to enhance the nation’s competitiveness and prosperity by supporting and celebrating entrepreneurship.

• WEtech Alliance Launches DeskUP Program

• WEtech Alliance joins the Canadian Digital Media Network

2013

• WEtech Alliance and partners host HackWE Code Jam

• WEtech launches eight-week Supporting Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship (SAYWE) in Windsor and Essex program offers 20 young entrepreneurs seminars on business fundamentals, marketing, financing and social media.

• Windsor Lands Prestigious Robotics Tournament

2014

Windsor Essex Capital Angel Network Launches

• CLAs and OCEAs funding is Launched (EPICentre / Genesis)

• WEtech Alliance received funding for Youth Retention and Attraction Project, YKNOT Windsor-Essex

2015

Hacking Health Windsor-Detroit is born

• Social Media Superheroes launched

• #YQG adopted as official Regional Hashtag of our Social Media Superheroes

• WINnovation funding introduced

• Proclamation recognizing the City of Windsor as a “FIRST Community

• WEtech Alliance Launches Nerd Olympics

• WEtech Alliance welcomes new President & CEO

• Powerball Technologies takes flight to US via CDMN Soft Landings Program

• Pursue Sports takes flight to UK via CDMN Soft Landings

• WEtech Alliance hosts Windsor180 Summit

• Launch of new Entrepreneur Support Network tool kicks off Global Entrepreneurship Week in Windsor

2016

• Libro Credit Union and WEtech Team Up to launch Startup Tech Accelerator

• WEtech Alliance Launches Tech Week and Tech Awards

• WEtech Alliance expands to Chatham-Kent

• Social Innovation Program launched

Tech in the City Launched

• FIRST Robotics Regional Competition

2017

• WEtech Alliance moves to EPICentre

• Cleantech Academy launched

• WEtech Wins Mayor’s Social Media Award

• WEtech Alliance ScaleUP Tech Accelerator is born.

• WEtech Alliance partners with Tecumseh Vista Academy on new E-STEAM program

• CANnovation Project launched

• ERIEHacks competition launched

• Social Innovation Toolkit launched

2018

• WEtech Alliance joins TECNA

• WEtech Alliance launches Innovation Catalyst

• WEtech Alliance launches Mobility Challenge in partnership with WE EDC.

• WEtech Alliance joins MedHealth as founding member

• MedHealth Summit in Detroit

• Windsor-Essex joins AVIN Network in partnership with WE EDC

• Powerball technologies accepted into the February 2018 cohort of the Canadian Digital Media Network’s (CDMN) Get There: San Francisco program.

• Keg Shoe wins $10,000 ScaleUP Prize

• Mobistream wins $10,000 ScaleUP Prize

2019

• WEtech Alliance launches Tech Connect Project in partnership with Workforce Windsor-Essex

• WEtech and Partners collaborate to attract tech, auto companies at Detroit auto show

• WEtech Alliance launches Innovation Alchemy Podcast

• Windsor-Essex receives Women Entrepreneurship Strategy investments

• WEtech Alliance launches first-ever all-female IC Cohort in partnership with Automate Canada

• IPM Scoutek wins $10,000 ScaleUP Prize

• SOAR Innovation takes flight in CK

• OLT Footcare selected for CDMN Soft Landings

• Mobistream selected for CDMN Soft Landings

• Windsor hosts the Canadian Undergraduate Computer Science Conference

• Hyperloop team puts Windsor on world stage

• Fetch Moto accepted to AC Jumpstart

• WinHacks is born

• Bin Sentry wins Forbes AgTech Innovation Icon Award

WEtech Alliance wins Creative Marketing and Communications award at inaugural TECNA Innovation Awards

• WEtech hosts Driving Diversity with Claudette McGowan

• First Robotics World Championship in Detroit

2020

• Libro and WEtech Alliance win Concentra’s Empower Your Community Awards

• COVID-19 shuts down the world — WEtech Alliance team and clients begin working from home. Programming and events move online.

• WEtech and partners donate 500 3d-printed face shields

• WEtech Alliance tapped to deliver DMS Future Proof Program

• WEtech Alliance launches Ignition Program

• WEtech launches Digital Shift in partnership with OTIL

• WEtech in partnership with WE EDC partner with Women in Mobility Detroit

• WEtech Alliance launch F5 Program

• Embrace Health wins $15,000 Scale(BACK)UP Prize

BorderHacks is born

WE’RE HERE BECAUSE OF YOU. THANK YOU.

WEtech Alliance would like recognize its founders, directors (past and present), partners (near and far), clients (and and new), volunteers, community, and staff who have supported WEtech Alliance since its creation as a Regional Innovation Centre. Our organization and tech community has been impacted by their contributions, embodying a real appreciation of the past, present and future of WEtech Alliance’s growth.

Click the images below to hear some of their stories.

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A MESSAGE FROM MP KUSMIERCZYK

A big thanks to our friend, former colleague, and current Member of Parliament for Windsor-Tecumseh, Irek Kusmierczyk for the great video and trip down memory lane as we celebrate our 10 year anniversary!

HERE’S A GIF | HELP US CELEBRATE

Help us celebrate WEtech Alliance’s 10th anniversary by joining the conversation.

Share a favorite memory of your time working, collaborating, starting or growing, or your best prediction for what the next 10 years of tech and innovation will bring.

Connect, reminisce or learn about our milestones at the 10 years of tech and innovation page or by using #WEtechTurns10 on social media.

You can check out more of our custom gifs made for us by our friends at Red Piston on our Giphy page.

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