Odette Project for Technology, Innovation and Commercialization

IMPORTANT NOTE: The deadline has now passed for applications to receive funding from OPTIC for start-up expenses.

Focusing on New Business with OPTIC

Created to serve as a new business support resource, Odette Project for Technology, Innovation and Commercialization (OPTIC) has launched a “virtual incubator” to assist entrepreneurs and start-ups in developing companies that can ultimately employ professional high-wage individuals in our region.

Purpose

The primary role of OPTIC is to serve as a funding agency, using other agencies, to assist entrepreneurs and start-ups. OPTIC will also become a primary source for information available to assist these young businesses. A start-up is considered to be any individual or company in business for less than three years and has an idea for a product or service that is still seeking a business model for commercialization. The start-up cannot have any significant revenues (less than $25,000 in total revenues). Any individual or company can apply from anywhere in the world, but the enterprise must be located in the Windsor-Essex County region.

Funding Opportunities

OPTIC has processed over 50 applications from start-up companies and entrepreneurs to provide funding of up to $10,000 to cover direct start-up expenses in key areas including:

• Legal - Incorporation, patent development and application
• R & D - Testing, design validation, prototyping
• Marketing - Market assessment or feasibility studies, website development, trade show booth acquisition, literature
• Financial Consulting - Development of financial plan or investor prospectus, due diligence and specialized or expert advisors, including consultants, lawyers and accountants.

Please visit the OPTIC website for additional information.

Affiliates

OPTIC is pleased to partner with a number of local and regional affiliates and agencies to incent new business opportunities in the Windsor and Essex County region. Please visit the OPTIC website for a complete list of these affiliates.

Contact Us

If you would like learn more about our services or how working with OPTIC might benefit your business, please feel free to contact us as follows:

Online contact form (preferred method)

Website: www.opticvi.com

Leann Sassine, OPTIC Program Administrator
leann@opticvi.com
(519) 253-3000 extension 3142

Pete Mateja, Director, OPTIC
pmateja@uwindsor.ca
(519) 253-3000 extension 4943