The eureka project, Smartpark’s incubator for small businesses, begins a $3.2 million expansion this week to increase its capacity as it looks to reduce dependency on government funding. By next spring, the small business incubator at the University of Manitoba will increase its physical space by about 50 per cent to 10,000 square feet which will allow it to double the number of companies resident at the centre from ten to twenty.

About $1.6 million for the expansion comes by way of the federal government’s Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP), a pool of more than $32 million for seven redevelopment projects throughout the University of Manitoba. Additional money will come from provincial funds previously announced.

The business incubator exists to nurture and help support small companies needing help finding investors, draw upon experts’ knowledge and establish a customer base. The eureka project helps small businesses build capacity and position themselves to become globally competitive.

The expansion of the eureka project will create a larger client base that will allow itself to be gradually weaned external funding sources, such as the federal and provincial governments.

Some of the eureka project’s companies are already ready to leave the nest, while some are in the process of extending their reach into the wider business community. Small companies under the wings of the eureka project include:

• Sunpeak Foods, an innovative functional food company that focuses on providing the health conscious consumer organic and natural healthy food products. Sunpeak products, including the innovative Multigrain Chicken Tender are available in both food service and retail markets. Sunpeak’s products are being distributed across Canada and in parts of the United States.

• Project Whitecard, a global leader in the field of “serious gaming.” The company uses best-of-class technologies to create revolutionary training applications and sophisticated synthetic environments. Clients including the Canadian Space Agency and NASA, as well as leading cultural, media and industry organizations have chosen Project Whitecard to build their vision of the future.

• SMT Research, a pioneer in the field of civionics: the use of electronics to monitor structures. SMT develops software and electronics used to monitor and evaluate the integrity and performance of commercial and residential buildings. Real-time sensor analysis and remote data collection have allowed for more efficient, durable buildings, with reduced environmental impact and improved quality assurance in construction. The company has clients across Canada and the United States.

The Knowledge Infrastructure Program is the federal government’s two-year, $2-billion plan to repair and expand research and educational facilities at Canadian colleges and universities. The program which provides up to one half of project costs is intended to provide economic stimulus by creating jobs for engineers, architects, trades people and technicians, generating the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canada’s colleges and universities at the forefront of scientific advancement.

For more information, contact Gary Brownstone, director, the eureka project, at: 204-480-1062