Call for more sector investment at Canada’s premier event for printable, flexible & wearable electronics

TORONTO—May 24, 2017—The Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association (www.cpeia-acei.ca) is looking to create some momentum to help bring new products and applications to market in this emerging technology sector with a $100 Million Industry Challenge.

The announcement was made by CPEIA President and CEO Peter Kallai at the opening of CPES2017 at Centennial College’s new Conference Centre in Toronto.

“Canada’s printable, flexible and wearable electronics industry is a sector ripe with opportunity for investment, and yet, our small and mid-sized companies are challenged by a shortage of capital,” said Kallai. “Many lack internal resources and access to the manufacturing and prototyping capabilities to scale.”

The Challenge is meant to address this gap by showcasing where investments are being made in the sector.

“If we showcase where investments are being made, other investors will take notice and recognize the value of supporting in this sector,” Kallai said. “Our goal is to report a total of $100 million or more in disclosed investments by CPES2019.”

How will the Challenge work?

CPEIA industrial members are being asked to disclose any funding that they invest in research and product development, expansion of their manufacturing operations and commercialization.

This can be capital they:

1. Invest internally from their own cash flow for new development activities, expansion, or
2. External equity investment such as seed, angel, private equity or venture capital investments they receive
3. Contributions from government programs such as NRC IRAP or other federal programs that require non-repayment.
4. Other financing sources such credit lines, leases for capital equipment, issuance of debentures etc.

The CPEIA will also use disclosed information to publish TOP 25 Investors, TOP 25 Employers, Top 25 Fastest Growing Companies and Top 25 R&D Employers lists.

CPEIA Members can obtain a submission form from Leo Valiquette at lvaliquette@cpeia-acei.ca Any additional questions can be directed to Peter Kallai at pkallai@cpeia-acei.ca

About CPES2017

With 30+ speakers and over 120 organizations in attendance, CPES2017 is Canada’s premier meeting ground for technology developers, industrial companies and end-users to discuss how they can work together to commercialize new products and applications for printable, flexible and wearable electronics. Academic researchers can showcase their research and discover how they can link it to market needs and opportunities.

New this year, CPES2017 features a third day of optional programming to help address the commercialization and scale up challenges facing the sector’s many early-stage and mid-sized companies. The day features a Financing Panel to help companies engage with private and government funding sources, and Mentoring Sessions for startups, where they can tap into the support they need to rise to the next level.

In addition, CPES2017 is the home of the CPES Innovation Awards, which recognize Research Innovation, Industrial Commercialization and our Startup of the Year.

Visit www.cpes2017.ca to learn more.

Get in touch

To become a Member of the CPEIA, please contact Peter Kallai, President and CEO, at pkallai@cpeia-acei.ca or +1 613-795-8181.

The CPEIA also has opportunities for corporate and media sponsorships of our programs and events.

Media inquiries can be directed to Leo Valiquette, Director of Programs, at lvaliquette@cpeia-acei.ca or +1 613-769-9479.