WATERLOO, Ont. (Tuesday, July 23, 2013) – WestonExpressions, a startup currently operating with the University of Waterloo’s VeloCity startup program, today launched the Linkett Interactive Digital Signage System. Linkett equips existing televisions and digital signs with motion and mobile capabilities, enabling highly targeted, on-the-spot promotions to passersby.
WestonExpressions founder and CEO Douglas Lusted received $25,000 in funding from the VeloCity Venture Fund in June 2012. This initial funding went directly into product and prototype development, which helped the startup attract the attention of venture capital firms and angel investors. Today, Lusted operates WestonExpressions at Waterloo’s VeloCity Garage.
“VeloCity helped give us the funding and support we needed to grow WestonExpressions and launch Linkett,” says Lusted. “During our time with VeloCity, and with an initial boost from VeloCity venture funding, we have been able to run our business on-site at VeloCity, further develop our ideas, and attract investors.”
"It has been incredible to watch WestonExpressions grow at VeloCity with Douglas’ guidance over the past year,” says Mike Kirkup, Director at VeloCity. “The launch of Linkett and the investment they have generated is testament to his entrepreneurial insights and leadership.”
Launched in 2008, VeloCity is commited to entrepreneurial education, idea sharing and support systems. This commitment has made it a highly successful startup community, contributing to the success of companies like Kik, Thalmic Labs, BufferBox, Vidyard and MappedIn.
The VeloCity Garage was launched in the Tannery Building in downtown Kitchener in 2010, with the aim of providing students and alumni with the connections, advice and equipment necessary to build their startups, even after they graduate. Since its creation, over 45 compan
ies have benefited from the resources, community and connections given to them by the VeloCity Garage.
With today’s Linkett launch, WestonExpressions is opening a limited pre-order offer for a one-time fee of $99. This includes three Linkett devices and access to their online platform as well as two months of service. First devices are expected to ship in late fall 2013.
The winners of the spring 2013 VeloCity Venture Fund grants will be named at the VeloCity Venture Fund Finals & Demo Day on July 25 at the University of Waterloo’s Student Life Centre starting at 1 p.m. ET. Ten finalists are set to compete for a $25,000 share of the grant funding and the opportunity to build their businesses within the VeloCity program.
For more information about WestonExpressions and the Linkett launch, visit www.linkett.com.
About the University of Waterloo
In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's technology hub, has become one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities with 35,000 full- and part-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Waterloo, as home to the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program, embraces its connections to the world and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery. In the next decade, the university is committed to building a better future for Canada and the world by championing innovation and collaboration to create solutions relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow. For more information about Waterloo, please visit www.uwaterloo.ca.
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Media Contact
Bre Whalen
WestonExpressions
321-236-0102 x223
bwhalen@uproarpr.com
http://westonexpressions.co
Nick Manning
University of Waterloo
519.888.4451
nmanning@uwaterloo.ca
www.uwaterloo.ca/news
@uWaterlooNews
Attention broadcasters: Waterloo has facilities to provide broadcast quality audio and video feeds with a double-ender studio. Please contact Nick Manning on 519-888-4451 or 226-929-7627 for more information.
