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Ryerson Digital Media Zone
	File:Ryerson Digital Media Zone logo.pngLogo of the The Digital Media Zone
Company type	Business incubator
Industry	Experiential Learning
Founded	April 7, 2010
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario
Key people	Sheldon Levy, Valerie Fox, Hossein Rahnama
Website	digitalmediazone.ryerson.ca

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Ryerson University's Digital Media Zone (DMZ) is a Canadian business incubator located at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto, Ontario. Started in April 2010, the Digital Media Zone provides overhead, business services, advice and a rich network of contacts. As a hub of digital media innovation, entrepreneurs and researchers can accelerate product launches and contribute to Canada’s growing success in the digital economy.^[1]

History

In his March 2009 address to the Empire Club of Canada, Ryerson University President Sheldon Levy announced his intention to make digital media a top priority for the university and a driver of the university’s innovation and city building agendas. On April 7th, 2010, the Digital Media Zone was founded.

On December 15, 2010, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty toured the DMZ, meeting with ARB Labs, EDGE Lab and Flybits. The premier held his daily media availability session in the DMZ to showcase the success of bringing education and innovation together to create business and jobs.^[2]

On January 26, 2011, the Government of Canada officially designated 2011 as the Year of the Entrepreneur at the Digital Media Zone. The Honourable Ted Menzies, Minister of State (Finance) and the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) announced the official designation on the Prime Minister’s behalf.^[3]

On May 22, 2012, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visited the DMZ as part of the 2012 Royal Tour to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. Premier Dalton McGuinty and Ryerson President Sheldon Levy escorted Prince Charles through the DMZ, where he greeted Ryerson staff and chatted with teams about their latest innovations and projects. Prince Charles met with Bionik Labs, a medical engineering research and development corporation, 500px, a photography website and iPad app, Greengage, a sustainability smartphone app, and Flybits, a Canadian leader in context-aware computing.^[4]

As of June 2012, there have been 45 companies incubated and accelerated, more than 88 projects initiated, 438 jobs fostered and created through newly formed companies and market-driven research (plus 60 new jobs at Ryerson University), and 12 alumni companies. Furthermore, the DMZ has hosted more than 460 tours, including government delegations, captains of industry and international journalists.

Program

Entrepreneurs accepted into Ryerson's Digital Media Zone are from diverse academic disciplines, backgrounds and business stages. The DMZ is available to all entrepreneurs, not just those affiliated with Ryerson University, who have a unique idea that has commercial or social value and a comprehensive business plan demonstrating feasibility and entrepreneurial capability.

The DMZ's program structure is flexible and inclusive. Companies can enter at different stages through a variety of supported pathways. They can remain and grow through rental agreements until they feel ready to move on. Equity exchanges for eligible companies are optional.

The DMZ operates using a four-prong model:

Educate: The Digital Specialization (DS) Program, offered by Ryerson University, teaches digital skills to students who receive academic credit in the areas of business and social innovation.
Ideate: StartMeUp Ryerson offers the service of helping budding entrepreneurs come up with and document a viable business idea.
Incubate: Startups in the DMZ Incubation Program focus on validating their business model, R&D, iterating on their prototype, seeking out pilot customers and isolating the market for their product. The DMZ Incubation Program is a semi-structured 4-month program with an optional additional 8 months where fees may apply. Payment details are determined primarily by team size, with possible options for equity exchanges or in kind contributions.
Accelerate: The Acceleration Program consists of a three-phased structured program ranging from 6 to 18 months with equity funding available.

Application process

Applicants are selected through StartMeUp Ryerson, a business startup program run by Ryerson’s award-winning Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), and a committee of industry leaders, faculty experts, peers and mentors. Ryerson University students, Ryerson alumni and non-Ryerson University students are welcome to apply.

Notable Ryerson Digital Media Zone alumni

500px
Bright Bunny
Burstn
Crowdfield
Finizi
Kela Medical Inc
LeanIn
ReadyChat
Scanly
Shape Collage
StackRocket
Teamsave
Vitalhub

References

^ "Ryerson Digital Media Zone Launches New Website". TechVibes. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 20012-06-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
^ "Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty visits Ryerson's Digital Media Zone". Ryerson University. 2010-12-17. Retrieved 20012-06-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
^ "Government of Canada officially designates 2011 as Year of the Entrepreneur at Ryerson's Digital Media Zone". Ryerson University. 2011-01-26. Retrieved 20012-06-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
^ "His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visits Ryerson University". Ryerson University. 2012-05-22. Retrieved 20012-06-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

[1] "Ryerson Digital Media Zone Launches New Website". TechVibes. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 20012-06-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

[2] "Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty visits Ryerson's Digital Media Zone". Ryerson University. 2010-12-17. Retrieved 20012-06-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

[3] "Government of Canada officially designates 2011 as Year of the Entrepreneur at Ryerson's Digital Media Zone". Ryerson University. 2011-01-26. Retrieved 20012-06-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

[4] "His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visits Ryerson University". Ryerson University. 2012-05-22. Retrieved 20012-06-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

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