Toronto, Canada; May 7, 2013: Hot on the heels of a recent massive customer win in Florida, Canadian education technology start-up Edsby has much to celebrate today as winner of Backbone Magazine’s 2013 Start Me Up Innovation Campaign.
Backbone’s Campaign, now in its second year, offers innovative Canadian start-up companies a chance to compete for $100,000 in prize money, services, mentoring, and media coverage. Chosen from a field of 10 finalists, Edsby took the top prize after a rousing live pitch competition at Toronto’s TMX Gallery. The event culminated with the ringing in of the Toronto Stock Exchange on Tuesday morning.
Peter Wolchak, the editor of Backbone Magazine, said, “We had 10 fantastic finalists pitching their ideas to our judges, and even with that strong competition Edsby stood out quite clearly. Their presentation was spot-on, the company has a solid and potentially very successful product, and the team behind it has a an impressive track record in the industry and as entrepreneurs. When the judges gathered to choose a winner, Edsby was the early favourite around the table.”
It wasn’t just the pitch that convinced Backbone, continued Wolchak. “Edsby was successful in our competition because they make such a strong case for the use of technology in schools and in the larger education system. Technology can play a significant role in not only reducing the cost of delivering education but also in creating tech-forward environments for student learning. Much of that is just about to happen, and Edsby is well positioned in that space.”
“We’re here to help provide an innovative learning environment for students and teachers,” said John Myers, CEO of CoreFour, the makers of Edsby. “Participating in Backbone’s challenge was an amazing opportunity to connect with an exciting entrepreneurial community. We are so grateful for the support and the opportunities that this award brings – it’s a great campaign and a great showcase for Canadian start up talent.”
About Edsby
Edsby is focused on one very specific goal – to be the world’s best software solution for enabling school districts and private schools to connect their teachers, students and parents together using the kinds of modern technologies that have become so pervasive in so many other aspects of peoples’ lives. The makers of Edsby have been creating and delivering advanced communication and collaboration solutions to education organizations of all sizes around the world for over twenty years. Contact edsby@edsby.com for further information.
About Backbone Magazine
Backbone magazine, launched in January 2001, is one of Canada’s largest and most successful business magazines. Backbone magazine is published by Publimedia Communications Inc.
Backbone is distributed six times a year within The Globe and Mail to business and metropolitan subscribers within major city centres. Backbone is also distributed through corporate alliances, technology industry associations, universities, select retailers, subscribers, etc.