Local tech firm up for award
By Collin Gallant on December 20, 2017.
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com @CollinGallant A Medicine Hat technology firm is being recognized among Alberta’s top exporters. Kinetisense, which sells diagnostic systems that map human body movements, is one of four top firms nominated at the Alberta Chambers of Commerce Business Awards announced last week. The three-year old local company designs and markets software that evaluates physical movement in patients and creates a computer model to help clinicians identify problems and develop treatment plans. It’s is the brainchild of the local chiropractor Ryan Comeau and chief operating officer David Schnare. Cameron Robinson is the business relations officer and salesman. “Alberta may not be Silicon Valley, but there are some very innovative things going on,” said Robinson this week. “We’re in Alberta, our software developers are in Greece and I sell into the United States, China, Europe, South America — really I’m selling anywhere on earth at any give time. It only depends on the time zone.” The system, basically, creates a moving three-dimensional image that mimics the patient’s skeleton and shows how joints are working in tandem. It is marketed to universities, chiropractic and physical therapists, but the company plans to launch its new software system for general fitness market next month. In total, 46 Alberta businesses were nominated in 11 categories for awards of distinction. Medicine Hat has had some luck in the export category. Last year, locally based event retailer and distributor Weddingstar took home the award. Six companies or non-profit agencies with local connections are up for awards at this year’s ceremonies. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Edmonton March 2. Medicine Hat’s Temple Fitness is one of five Alberta companies in the running for the small business award. Solid Rock Fencing, which is owned by former local Chamber board member Robin Kurpjuweit, is nominated for the provincial young entrepreneur award. Two Medicine Hat entries are nominated as a top employer of persons with disabilities. They are Pancotto Enterprises Ltd., which owns and operates McDonalds franchises in the city, and which has been nominated in year’s past, and the Post second-hand store run by the Canadian Mental Health Association. The YMCA of Medicine Hat is nominated as top employer of youth. As exporter of distinction nominee, Kinetisense sits alongside several well-known companies. Champion Petfoods, the maker of Orijen and Arcana brand pet food, announced last spring it would build a $200-million expansion to its production facility near Edmonton. BioNeutra North America Inc., of Edmonton, is a manufacturer of low calorie and high fibre sweeteners. Calgary-based Imagination Dental Solutions does interior design and supply work for dental offices across North America. 22
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