What is it?
The Communitech Apps Factory helps companies and not-for-profits without access to development resources realize early stage application prototypes.
We are currently halfway through an eight-month pilot project, running from May until December, 2011. The project is broken up into two four-month terms. During each of the two pilot terms the team is developing four new application prototypes. As the project continues past its pilot stage into 2012 we are removing the limit on the number of prototypes we develop and working to find more ways to help more people move their ideas closer to completion.
Who is it?
The team is composed of a full-time Senior Developer and four co-op students specializing in mobile and web-based applications.Every term a new group of Co-op students are hired to build brand new prototypes.
So how does it work?
Every term the Apps Factory develops four entirely new prototypes. These proofs-of-concept are selected from a pool of submissions collected and filtered in the months prior.
First, you submit a proposal. You must be able to describe the application you have in mind for your business and the problem that it addresses. Applications must be market-driven, and you should be able to define how you envision this application impacting your company, wealth creation or job growth.
Two Advisory Groups made up of industry experts drawn from Communitech and member organizations review the submissions. The Commercialization Advisory Group (CAG) is tasked with filtering and ranking the proposals. They determine eligibility, vet and prioritize the submitted applications. The Technology Advisory Group (TAG) assesses the technical viability of the qualifying submissions and provides guidance and mentorship to the development team throughout the development process.
From this prioritized shortlist the projects to be tackled in each term are selected and development begins.
So this is free?
No. The Apps Factory generates value, and a return on that investment is expected. There are a few options available, including revenue sharing, and various IP licensing arrangements will be considered.
What happens when the prototype is finished?
The Apps Factory creates an early version of an application. The idea submitter can then use this prototype to demonstrate the idea, and to generate interest around the product. We’re also happy to recommend some of the many great companies we work with locally to continue development into a full-fledged product, or the idea submitter can take product maintenance in-house.
You: But I still have questions!
Ask them! Email rob.drimmie@communitech.ca and we’ll talk.
