MaRS Commons partners with Wavefront to accelerate wireless app development

Toronto’s first mobile handset library will enable app developers to save time & money

Toronto, May 15, 2012 – MaRS today announces that Wavefront, a National Centre of Excellence supporting the growth and commercialization of wireless companies in Canada, is providing the MaRS Commons with a mobile handset library that includes the most popular handsets available. The library will enable local wireless developers to test their apps on a range of handsets, helping them save money and get to market faster.

“With mobile technologies hitting the market at an unprecedented rate, entrepreneurs in the ICE sector need every possible advantage in order to stay competitive,” says Krista Jones, Practice Lead in MaRS’ Information Technology, Communications and Entertainment (ICE) practice. “While the startups in the MaRS Commons already have access to a great combination of mentorship and education, the Wavefront partnership will give them that extra edge required to build successful global businesses.”

“Wavefront provided us access to their huge library of handsets and mobile expertise right when we needed it most,” said Jeff Stautz, Director of Mobile at the Vancouver-based social media management company, HootSuite. “We were able to build, test and deploy across a variety of devices much more efficiently by using their resources. Wavefront has also been instrumental in connecting us with carriers and industry leaders, giving us high-profile meetings that have led to lucrative business opportunities,” said Stautz.

“Growing a strong Canadian wireless industry requires collaboration among organizations that support innovators and entrepreneurs. This is why Wavefront is proud to be partnering with MaRS, given the critical role they play in the Toronto area,” said Hélène Joncas, Wavefront’s Vice-President, Eastern Region. “Wavefront’s focus on initiatives that accelerate the growth of companies in the wireless sector complements theirs.”

About MaRS
MaRS Discovery District (Twitter: @MaRSDD) is a mission-driven innovation centre located in Toronto. MaRS works with partners to catalyze, accelerate and amplify innovation. MaRS supports entrepreneurs building Canada’s next generation of growth companies.

About MaRS Commons
The MaRS Commons (Twitter: @marscommons) is home to Toronto’s hottest technology and entertainment entrepreneurs and the MaRS Information technology, Communications and Entertainment (ICE) practice. It offers advice, insight, mentorship programs, networking opportunities, co-working space, amazing speakers, market research, education programs and access to capital – all to help entrepreneurs thrive.

About Wavefront
Wavefront accelerates the growth and commercialization of wireless companies in Canada by engaging them with critical resources, partners and opportunities, to drive economic and social benefits for Canada. Wavefront grows wireless companies through accelerator and mentorship programs, offers WaveGuide training seminars and WaveLink market linkage programs, and hosts WaveCon, North America’s wireless and M2M conference. See www.wavefrontac.com for more detail. Wavefront is a registered trademark of Wavefront Wireless Innovation Society of British Columbia.

For more information, contact:

MaRS
Chris Stevenson
Director, Communications
(416) 673-8104
cstevenson@marsdd.com

Wavefront
John Corry
Communications Manager
(604) 506-7441
john.corry@wavefrontac.com