8 May 2008 - WideSail Technologies receives Venture Capital
Financing from MSBi Valorisation

Commercialization of a unique Error Correction technology for use in a wide range of digital communications systems

Montreal, QC – May 8, 2008 – MSBi Valorisation Inc., an entity dedicated to commercializing innovations and building companies based on technological advancements and inventions originating from McGill University, Université de Sherbrooke and Bishop's University, as well as their affiliated hospitals and research institutes, announced today that it has made an investment in WideSail Technologies, a developer of a novel world-leading error correction technology for digital communications systems.  

Founded in 2007, WideSail is a spin-off from McGill University. The company is based in Montreal and develops semiconductor products and intellectual property for very high performance error correction. The company will license its’ designs to developers of integrated circuits for communications applications such as WiFi, WiMAX, 10 Gb Ethernet, Direct Video Broadcast (DVB) and 4G telephony (UMTS Long Term Evolution or LTE).  

"We are very pleased to provide funding to WideSail to support the commercialization of highly promising intellectual property originating from McGill University," said Mark de Groot, Chairman of the board of directors of MSBi Valorisation.  “WideSail clearly demonstrates how scientific research from a world class academic institution can be rapidly translated into applications with very strong commercial potential.”  

"The researchers at McGill University have created a breakthrough technology which outperforms state-of-the-art error correction techniques," said Gord Harling, President and CEO of WideSail. "This investment will allow WideSail to develop and demonstrate error correcting circuit designs based on this technology. At the conclusion of this phase WideSail will be prepared to launch a range of high performance products to customers in various markets."  

WideSail Technologies
WideSail is a developer of high performance error correction technology and is a world leader in the application of Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) coding. WideSail’s technology addresses the errors that occur during wired and wireless digital communications, as well as in semiconductor and magnetic storage devices. It’s products provide excellent error correction performance at very high speeds with much lower power than competing technologies. For more information, visit www.widesail.com.  

MSBi Valorisation
MSBi Valorisation (“MSBiV”) is dedicated to commercializing seed stage innovations in information technology, life sciences and the physical sciences, that are based on technological advancements and inventions originating from McGill University, Université de Sherbrooke and Bishop's University, as well as their affiliated hospitals and research institutes. MSBiV focuses on establishing and building companies, as well as developing high potential licensing opportunities for its partner institutions. For more information see www.msbiv.ca.  

McGill University's Office of Technology Transfer
McGill University's Office of Technology Transfer (McGill OTT) provides the crucial link between the McGill research community and the realm of industry leaders, entrepreneurs and venture capital. McGill University is recognized internationally for its scholarly achievement and scientific discovery. With 22 faculties and professional schools, and more than 300 programs from the undergraduate to the doctoral level, McGill is a leader among Canadian universities in terms of research funding per full-time faculty member. McGill OTT is directly responsible for managing the continuous interactions between industry, government, and the commercialization of the University's intellectual property. For more information see www.techtransfer.mcgill.ca.

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