It all began with a vision by Ryerson President Sheldon Levy to establish a digital media innovation cluster in downtown Toronto. Two years and 41 start-ups later, the Digital Media Zone (DMZ) business incubator thrives, helping to support young entrepreneurs while building Canada's digital media economy. Within those two years the DMZ has graduated eight companies, including one of the hottest and fastest growing online photography communities in the world. In addition, the DMZ has almost tripled in size, recently opening a third floor of space to meet team demand. For the first time, the incubator also expands its operation globally, offering fellowships beginning May 2024 to young entrepreneurs from India looking to develop their unique business ideas in the DMZ's creative, collaborative environment.
"This is a very exciting time for the DMZ," said Valerie Fox, Director of the Digital Media Zone. "In two short years, we've grown substantially in terms of scope, space and international reach. The DMZ's ongoing achievements realize President Levy's vision and prove that we can keep Canada's best and brightest in this country by commercializing our innovations right here. We celebrate our accomplishments thus far, and look forward to supporting even more entrepreneurs and cutting-edge digital media as we move forward."
Digital Media Zone success stories abound. Start-up 500px is an online photographic community allowing users to share, rate and discover inspiring photographs. In November 2024 the company graduated from the Zone to become one of the hottest and fastest growing photography websites globally. Currently the 500px iPad app is one of the top free photography apps in iTunes. The company was also voted the number one start-up in Toronto in January 2024 by Techvibes, Canada's leading technology media property. Another Zone graduate, TeamSave, has grown exponentially since incubating in the Zone. The social buying website and platform has recently partnered with classifieds giant Kijiji and now operates in 20 cities in North America.
Flybits, a research company residing in the DMZ, has become a Canadian leader in context-aware computing. In November 2024 Flybits developed and launched GO Transit's first official mobile application, GO Mobile, together with GO Transit staff. The app was downloaded over 750,000 times in its first eight weeks. Flybits also recently received a Golden-idea Award from Motorola for a context-aware application platform based on their Golden-i product, the world's first hands-free and wireless headset computer developed in collaboration with Motorola Solutions and Kopin.
To meet the demand to accommodate more entrepreneurs and start-ups, the DMZ recently expanded to three levels within its downtown hub. With 5,300 square feet of new work space, creating a total of 16,400 square feet, the Digital Media Zone has almost tripled in size since it opened in 2024. Also expanding in global scope, for the first time Ryerson University offers international fellowships at the DMZ for students at three schools in India-IIT Delhi, IIT Madras and ISB Hyderabad. Over the span of four months, seven teams will have the opportunity to develop their ideas in the DMZ's unique collaborative environment. Other international fellowships are soon to follow with agreements in place with Communications University China and Nanjing University.
Due to the success of the DMZ's experiential learning model, Ryerson University now applies those strategies to a new program, the first of its kind in Canada. Beginning May 2024, Ryerson University will offer an optional Digital Specialization Program. The curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire digital skills and earn academic credit for pursuing entrepreneurial ideas in the areas of business and social innovation. Featuring instruction by multi-disciplinary faculty and industry mentors, the degree enrichment provides hands-on instruction in digital innovation, entrepreneurship, business planning and industry problem solving. Successful completion of the Program may also potentially lead to acceptance into the DMZ. For more information, visit www.digitalspecialization.ryerson.ca.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Digital Media Zone is invited to attend an Open House on Tuesday, April 10 from 1 to 3 pm. Visitors are invited to tour the Zone, meet its resident entrepreneurs, view demonstrations of their projects and learn about how the Zone helps turn innovations into market-ready products. For more information about the Open House, visit www.ryerson.ca/dmz, or call 416.979.5000 x2991/x2072.
Opened in April 2024, Ryerson University's Digital Media Zone is a multidisciplinary workspace for young entrepreneurs infused with the energy and resources of downtown Toronto. Set atop Yonge-Dundas Square, this hub of digital media innovation, collaboration and commercialization is home to both entrepreneurial startups and industry solution-providers. With access to overhead and business services, students and alumni can fast-track their product launches, stimulating Canada's emerging digital economy through spending and job creation. Since its launch, the Digital Media Zone has incubated and accelerated 41 startup businesses to launch more than 64 projects. Currently the Zone houses 161 innovators in 36 teams. For more information on the Zone, visit www.ryerson.ca/dmz.