Download PDF - Ontario Centres of Excellence
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SUCCESS STORY – Advanced Manufacturing<br />
Giatec Scientific Inc.<br />
Saving lives by preventing concrete infrastructure collapses<br />
(From left) Giatec Scientific co-founder and CEO, Dr. Aali R.<br />
Alizadeh, co-founder and President, Dr. Pouria Ghods and OCE<br />
Business Development Manager, Dr. Philippa King, under a<br />
bridge near the Rideau Canal in Ottawa.<br />
• The challenge – Crumbling concrete infrastructure is a challenge<br />
faced by many countries across the world. Structures, like bridges and<br />
dams, are deteriorating at a pace that could cause unexpected collapses<br />
and endanger lives. The need for accurate inspection and detection is vital.<br />
• THE BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY – Ottawa start-up, Giatec<br />
Scientific Inc. has developed a breakthrough hand-held device that<br />
detects areas <strong>of</strong> potential deterioration in concrete structures before<br />
it happens. Based on 10 years <strong>of</strong> award-winning academic research,<br />
the device provides an unprecedented level <strong>of</strong> accuracy, dramatically<br />
reducing maintenance costs and improving safety.<br />
• HOW OCE HELPED – The company founders built their business<br />
from the ground up with OCE’s help, engaging programs like Market<br />
Readiness, as well as an Embedded Executive placement through the<br />
Centre for Commercialization <strong>of</strong> Research (CCR). Since then, Giatec<br />
Scientific has attracted $100,000 <strong>of</strong> follow-on investment from IRAP,<br />
NSERC, MITACS and Invest Ottawa and is in preliminary talks with<br />
private investors.<br />
• WHERE ARE THEY NOW – Giatec Scientific Inc. is working on<br />
expanding their product <strong>of</strong>fering, increasing manufacturing capacity,<br />
developing new distribution channels, establishing partnerships with<br />
worldclass industry leaders, and building on strong sales in the Middle<br />
East, Europe, Australia and North America.<br />
OCE is one <strong>of</strong> the best programs we’ve had the benefit<br />
“<strong>of</strong> accessing and it wasn’t just about the funding. More<br />
importantly, it was the expertise and experience from our<br />
business development adviser that was critical in the whole<br />
process. Right from the beginning, OCE helped us refine<br />
our business model, set up meetings with potential clients,<br />
write applications and establish processes.”<br />
• Return on Innovation<br />
• Currently employs nine people<br />
• Plans to hire another 20-30 in the next three to five years<br />
• Intends to create additional jobs through outsourced<br />
manufacturing facility<br />
– Aali R. Alizadeh, co-founder and CEO, Giatec Scientific Inc.<br />
12 OCE 11/12 ANNUAL REpORT
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