Myant commits $100M to the Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster

Myant is focused on partnering with companies and institutions in order to democratize manufacturing in the functional and computing textile industry and support innovation to make it more accessible to educators, inventors, students, medical professionals, researchers, and idea makers who will enhance the fabric of Canada

TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - Myant Inc., a rapidly growing technology and advanced manufacturing company in Toronto, confirmed today that it has committed $100-million to the advanced manufacturing supercluster that has been short-listed by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, as part of the $950-million national supercluster program from the Government of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan. Myant is a key partner in the advanced manufacturing supercluster in the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor (TWIC), which includes companies, universities, health agencies, and not-for-profit organizations such as MaRS, University of Toronto, University Health Network, and IntelliFLEX Innovation Alliance with more than 78 industry partners in Canadian printable electronics, among others.

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, says, "Our government's Innovation Superclusters Initiative has started conversations and created solid partnerships between government, the private sector, academia and communities. In today's knowledge-based economy, this collaboration is essential. Together, we are building the economy of the future, creating the jobs of today and tomorrow, and gearing up for global success that will benefit all Canadians."

Tony Chahine, CEO and Founder of Myant, says, "This is the kind of foresight innovation the world needs – Minister Bains basically just turned the lights on for Canada's future as a global leader in advanced manufacturing." Chahine says, "I am very proud that Myant is a member in this supercluster that brings together over 100 academic institutions, not-for-profit organizations, healthcare groups and manufacturers to establish high quality and resilient jobs, and talent and training in leading industries that intersect manufacturing and technology. It's time to repatriate 'Made in Canada' manufacturing solutions."

Myant is a recognized industry leader in the emerging field of 'textile computing' with a revolutionary R&D facility and full-scale production that includes end-to-end fiber-to-fabric-to-system product design and rapid prototyping capabilities. The unique infrastructure of expertise, capabilities and secured IP allows Myant to transition from idea to prototype to full-scale production. Myant's innovation in knowledge, standards and infrastructure is defining the future of fiber and textile advanced manufacturing.

Based in Toronto, Myant Inc. currently employs a world class interdisciplinary team of over 80 engineers, data scientists, software developers, fashion designers, and user experience experts who are building the next computing platform that ambiently interfaces with humans through textiles. Myant seamlessly embeds sensors and actuators into everyday textiles allowing for 24/7 connectivity. Working with global partners, Myant develops smart-­textiles for the Automotive, Aerospace, Energy, Health/Wellness, Defense, AR/VR, and other sectors.

Myant is expanding its facilities and adding new equipment and staff as it begins manufacturing its own in-house brand, SKIIN (with two ii's for intelligent interface), a line of smart textile and apparel which includes underwear, bras, base layers, socks, mattress covers, seat covers, etc. that provide a direct conduit to the human body. SKIIN's smart clothing and textiles, combined with the app and cloud infrastructure, will create access to the 'Internet of Things' and enable a person to continuously monitor the body's vital signs, measure activity, understand one's mood, control the connected environment, heat up when you're cold, anticipate illness, and deliver therapy, with more advanced functionality than the world has ever seen in textiles. Unlike the current market of wearable technology, primarily plastic single purpose gadgets and devices, SKIIN is comfortable, washable, seamless clothing that collects multiple data points from a single garment. The underwear prototype is currently being beta tested and will go to market next year.

From Myant's perspective, Canada has an outstanding opportunity to prepare for the future as a world leader in advanced manufacturing, especially in smart textiles. The Supercluster Initiative will jumpstart innovation and build on the economic density in the TWIC that is critical to helping Canadian manufacturers and technology firms grow and compete globally. The supercluster will leverage the competitive advantages of the TWIC, helping high growth technology manufacturers expand our collective manufacturing output and economic and industrial competitiveness. This emerging industry sector currently lacks cohesive manufacturing and prototyping to support commercialization and production at scale.

Chahine says, "We believe that The Supercluster Initiative will address significant gaps in the existing advanced manufacturing ecosystem on which we depend. If it's done right, it will generate tangible results and funding for people who want to create and innovate, right here in Canada. I believe that in order to allow for true innovation, one needs to be able to actually 'make' the invention. The quick turnaround from prototyping to full scale production is the missing link to advanced manufacturing."

ABOUT MYANT

Founded in 2010, Myant employs an interdisciplinary team of over 80 people who are creating the world's first computing platform that ambiently interfaces with humans through textiles. SKIIN is Myant's proprietary brand of smart apparel. Myant's 80,000 sq ft facility near the airport in Toronto, Canada, is an end-to-end textile supply chain with a state-of-the-art robotic knitting division, a printed electronic lab, a traditional cut and sew operation, a multidisciplinary team, and significant proprietary technologies. In addition, Myant has strategic relationships with the world's top knitting machine manufacturers and yarn makers and industry suppliers. Myant's mission is to create a digital human presence through a textile ambient interface to connect every human being to self, others, and AI.

For more information about Myant, or SKIIN, or to apply please visit: https://www.myant.ca/ or https://SKIIN.com/ and @2ndSKIIN

SOURCE Myant Inc.