Government of Canada Invests $12 Million in Rockport Network

Canadians increasingly use cloud computing and storage networks in their personal and professional lives.

In order to meet future needs, this data needs to be kept safe and accessible and must be stored in networks that are both green and efficient.

Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced an investment of $12 million in Rockport Networks, Inc. The investment will support the company’s $49.9-million Networking at the Edge (NATE) project.

With this project, Rockport will create software-enabled network systems for storage, making them faster and more secure while using less electricity. Rockport Networks will maintain and create more than 300 jobs in Ottawa, ONT, Canada.

Canada has committed to creating a cleaner economy. Currently, data centres use a lot of energy, so reducing the energy they consume will lead to energy efficiency and environmental benefits.

The NATE project will demonstrate Canada’s leadership in networking technology while fulfilling our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“As Canadians turn to storage and networks more frequently in their lives, they need to be confident that they can quickly and securely store and access their data. Our investment in Rockport Networks is not only making sure Canadians’ data is more secure but also helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, solidifying Canada’s position as a world leader in digital network technologies,” said Bains.

“Innovative companies like Rockport Networks are demonstrating every day how the environment and the economy go hand in hand. Our government is happy to support Rockport’s project that will bring important innovations to network systems, reduce greenhouse emissions, and support hundreds of jobs right here in Ottawa,” said McKenna.

“In partnership with the Canadian government-specifically, visionary programs like the Strategic Innovation Fund-Rockport Networks will deliver world-class networking solutions to the global marketplace. Our innovation will drive the need for hundreds of additional knowledge-based jobs inventing and applying new intellectual property to create sustainable network technology and new levels of cybersecurity protection,” said Doug Carwardine, CEO, Rockport.

Quick facts
• Rockport Networks is an Ottawa-based technology company that is developing network solutions software, referred to as Autonomous Networking, that disrupts traditional network infrastructure by eliminating the need for physical network switches.
• The investment in Rockport Networks is being made through the Strategic Innovation Fund, a program designed to attract and support high-quality business investments across all sectors of the economy.
• In addition to the Strategic Innovation Fund, there are hundreds of programs and services to help businesses innovate, create jobs and grow Canada’s economy. With its simple, story-based user interface, the Innovation Canada platform can match businesses with the most fitting programs and services in about 2mn.