A hub for tech expertise: partners collaborate to create tech startup incubation space.

• Author: Kelly, Lindsay
• Position: NORTH BAY

A North Bay software company and Innovation Initiatives Ontario North (HON) are partnering up on an incubation space geared toward technology-based startup companies.

Launched in July, the Northern TechHub is a combination of available office space at MetricAid's offices in downtown North Bay, along with access to mentors and the support services offered to new businesses by HON.

Lora Webb, CAO at MetricAid, said the company approached HON about collaborating on the initiative because it saw a need for space in the city. It had some office space sitting unused and knew firsthand of the types of valuable resources IION could provide likeminded startups.

"From the beginning of MetricAid, IION has been an incredible resource for us," Webb said.

"We have benefitted year after year from various grants and advice. We've benefitted a lot from IION, so we know what kinds of services they can offer new startups, and we just thought it would be a great fit."

Available for use are two 12-foot by 12-foot offices, which Webb said could each accommodate up to four entrepreneurs, depending on the configuration. Along with that, tenants would have access to amenities like high-speed internet for business and use of the boardroom.

Criteria haven't been established for vetting potential tenants; Webb said they would likely evaluate candidates on a caseby-case basis.

But they're open to welcoming entrepreneurs whose businesses are at various stages of implementation.

"They can be just when they're starting up with R&D, trying to think about concepts, all the way up to early commercialization," she said, although there isn't space for manufacturing equipment or storage, so ideal candidates would just need a computer and a desk.

"At any stage of development, we'll welcome a company."

Matthew Doherty, economic and operations manager at IION, noted that much of North Bay's private sector development remains focused on the mining and mining manufacturing fields. But there is an appetite for growing the information technology industry.

"There are...