Mississauga's RIC Centre Wins Arrow Electronics Incubator of the Year Award

Mississauga, Canada, February 08, 2018 --(PR.com)-- Mississauga’s RIC Centre was honoured to receive the 2017 Incubator of the Year award from Arrow Electronics Toronto, one of the global leaders in Internet of Things electronics.

There are over 140 startup incubators in Ontario and Arrow Electronics Toronto works with some of the biggest organizations in the industry, including the RIC Centre.

On why RIC Centre was chosen over other incubators in Ontario, Trevor Bingham, Field Sales Manager for Arrow Electronics Toronto, said, “The RIC Centre has a unique and innovative way to support and drive their clients’ business forward.”

The Research Innovation Commercialization Centre (RIC Centre) is one of Ontario’s 17 Regional Innovation Centres; a network that includes MaRS, Communitech and Invest Ottawa. The not-for-profit organization helps startups in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon build their companies and take their products to market with access to an extensive network of partners, advisors and investors. For example, through the RIC Incubator program, companies have access to Arrow’s design tools, engineering experts, prototype services, manufacturing support and supply chain management.

“Our partners and advisors are champions of industry that each have unique skill sets they lend to grow the next generation of companies in our local region. We help create real companies that contribute to the economy,” said Pam Banks, Executive Director RIC Centre.

RIC Centre and Arrow Electronics also partnered on two major events in 2017, both focusing on using technology to enable accessibility for those suffering with physical and sensory disabilities.

At Driving Dreams, Arrow showcased a revolutionary car that could allow quadriplegic drivers get on the road again. Following the success of the event, RIC Centre and Arrow also partnered on hackABILITY, an extended hackathon to build real solutions to help people with disabilities. The SmartCane team, led by a Grade 9 student, won the competition and has been working with Arrow to move past prototyping and build a real product.

Trevor also added, “The entire Arrow team is thrilled to be working alongside the RIC Centre and believe that this is a truly collaborative relationship.”

RIC Centre Chair of the Board and Managing Partner at Trellis Capital, Sunil Selby added, “Being recognized as Arrow Incubator of the Year for 2017 means a lot to all of us at RIC Centre. Collaboration with channel partners is one of the keys to scaling startups and helping them become truly successful.”

About RIC Centre
RIC Centre is a technology incubator that helps entrepreneurs fast-track their business to market. We offer a range of support services to entrepreneurs at no cost. This includes mentorship, hands-on workshops, access to a network of advisors, investors and partners and more. RIC Centre is a member of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs with support from Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science, and founding partners in the Economic Development Offices of Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon, the Region of Peel, University of Toronto Mississauga, Sheridan and Humber.