Some small B.C. technology companies with big ideas are business speed dating Tuesday, hoping to turn the head of one of the world’s largest consumer electronics companies.

The companies will pitch their new products to the North American research and development arm of LG Electronics (LG) called LG Technology Centre of America. The goal -- to secure partnerships or funding that will get their products in the hands of consumers.

The “Collision Day”, part of a BC Technology Industry Association (BCTIA) program designed to facilitate business-to-business connections, will take place during the British Columbia-Korea Trade and Investment Forum. Organized by the Ministry of International Trade, the collision event is aimed at fostering awareness about the emerging business opportunities in Korea now that the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement has come into effect.

(flickr.com)

As noted by Anders Ballestad, Co-Founder and CEO of MTT Innovation, Collision Day is a chance for his company to find a strategic partner “gutsy enough to share our vision and can help us cross the commercialization chasm.” In short, they will hope their pitch to LG will result in an infusion of funding and marketing expiring expertise that will help them realize their vision to turn their laser cinema protector into a consumer product either for the home or cinema.

Ballestad believes their projector technology, created by MTT's leading team of engineers and scientists, will revolutionize the screen experience by bringing levels of vividness never before possible with traditional projection.

Meanwhile Janice Cheam, president and CEO of Neurio Technology Inc., wants to convince the LG strategists that its device, which goes in a home’s breaker panel, will appeal to the LG’s research and development experts as a conduit to get enhance its ‘smart’ home product offering. 

Cheam explains the single Wi-Fi sensor provides parents with the kind of energy-use intel that would allow them to monitor their home’s energy use in real-time. One day, it may even let parents know when the kids get home from school, and if they are opening their homework books or playing with the X-box.

Collision Day is just one of many business sessions offered at the B.C.-Korea Trade and Investment Forum aimed at small and medium-sized B.C. businesses. Fully subscribed, the 350 globally minded delegates will hear from Korean and Canadian trade, tax, tariff and other experts in the field, including companies who have already paved a successful business path into Korea.

Through the BC Jobs Plan, British Columbia can grow the economy by expanding access to priority markets such as South Korea. This gives B.C. businesses and communities of all sizes the potential for immense growth and an opportunity to strengthen local economies and provide jobs.

Quotes:

Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade -

“Our exports will increase if small and medium sized organizations can get their ideas into the marketplace. This important B2B opportunity at the BC Korea Summit creates an environment for that to happen and it is part of the B.C. government efforts to help businesses take advantage of the many opportunities now available under Canada’s new trade agreement with South Korea.”

Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services -

"The Collision Day event is akin to the Big Bang Theory in that it offers a chance for businesses to explode onto the world stage much like a shiny new star. Tech in B.C. is skyrocketing in job creation, economic growth and its presence around the globe is leaving an impact. Good luck to all the businesses pitching at the British Columbia-Korea Forum."

Yoon Won Suh, executive vice president and head, LG Technology Center of America -

“The mission of ‘LG Technology Center of America’ and ‘LGE North America Open Innovation Division’ is to establish technology based partnerships in North America to create disruptive LG products and services. We hope to engage with many promising Canadian startups with innovative technologies at this forum, as well as strengthen our ties with various British Columbia government organizations, resourceful technology incubators, and renowned universities.”

Clayton R. Weir, manager, Client Services, Centre4Growth, BC Technology Industry Association (BCTIA) -

“In order for innovative technology companies to grow, they require access to strategic customers, partners and investors within key markets. To help facilitate these connections, the BCTIA invites promising B.C. companies to participate in our Collision Days program. Now, through the British Columbia-Korea Trade and Investment Forum, we have an incredible opportunity to hold a collision event and provide unparalleled access between B.C. technology companies and the multicultural delegates in attendance, leading to potential business developments in South Korea.”

Quick Facts:

• The British Columbia-Korea Trade and Investment Forum will be held Tuesday, June 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, 6083 Mckay Ave., Burnaby.
• For those who cannot attend, parts of the summit will be live webcast online starting at 9:40 a.m. on June 23: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/export/events/event-details.aspx?EventId=238#.VYIDMJjbK70
• The forum will focus on the sectors where B.C. is expected to benefit the most: agrifoods and seafood, natural resources and technology.
• With the CKFTA, the Government of Canada predicts that exports of goods and services to South Korea will increase by as much as 32% and boost Canadian gross domestic product by $1.7 billion annually.
• The BC Technology Industry Association (BCTIA) is partnering with the Ministry of International trade to host the collision event, part of the BCTIA’s Collision Days program.

Learn More:

British Columbia Trade and Investment: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/

BC Technology Industry Association (BCTIA) and Centre4Growth: http://www.bctia.org

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade
250 356-7293

Wendy Turnbull
Director, Marketing & Events, BCTIA
604 602-5231
Email: wturnbull@bctia.org