Leading Edge Geomatics will be able to develop new and advanced airborne mapping technology thanks to a repayable government contribution of $486,471, which was announced today by Matt DeCourcey, Member of Parliament for Fredericton, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.

The company, based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, will research and develop a new product to help standardize industry technology. Currently, airborne geomatics companies across the sector-companies that map geographic information-use different equipment. The various mapping technologies have varying capabilities and analyze data in different ways. Leading Edge will develop a product to standardize and integrate these different technologies, which will improve the accuracy of mapping data and the sector’s capabilities for analyzing geomatics information.

The investment is being made through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI), which supports companies in leading-edge research and development to help improve competitiveness and promote collaboration.

Quotes

“Through investments in research like this, we are committed to ensuring that our aerospace and defence industry remains a world leader. We are proud to support companies like Leading Edge Geomatics that are developing products and services that will drive innovation for years to come.”

– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“The support of the SADI program has enabled us to accelerate the design and commercialization of an innovative set of proprietary aerial survey sensor components that will improve our remote sensing operations and be a catalyst for us to grow our export sales.”

– Bill Kidman, President and Chief Technical Officer, Leading Edge Geomatics

Quick facts

• SADI investments enhance the competitiveness of the Canadian aerospace and defence sector and enable Canadian aerospace and defence companies to accelerate innovation and collaborate with post-secondary and research institutions.
• Atlantic Canada’s aerospace and defence industry includes over 200 companies that employ more than 10,000 people and account for $1 billion in annual revenues.
• This repayable contribution marks the first SADI investment in a New Brunswick-based company and second in Atlantic Canada.
• Founded in 2008, Leading Edge Geomatics provides aerial survey and geomatics services across North America. The company’s airborne imagery helps organizations map, monitor and manage their assets.

Associated links

– Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Industrial Technologies Office

– Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative

– Leading Edge Geomatics

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Twitter: @MinisterISED