$100 Million Industry Challenge launched at CPES2017

The Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association (CPEIA) 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 re-search 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 pro-grams 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