The Digital Media Zone technology startup incubator created by Ryerson University rebrands to become DMZ on its fifth anniversary.

Ryerson University’s technology startup incubator, Digital Media Zone, is rebranding itself as DMZ to coincide with its fifth anniversary. The incubator currently plays host to more than 70 companies spread across three floors at its base in Toronto. The Digital Media Zone launched in April 2008 as a workspace for eight startups. Brendan Dellandrea, director of marketing and communications at DMZ, said: “Digital media or digital content facilitation really only applies to 20% of the companies in the DMZ now… We’ve outgrown that narrow niche. We’re now home to all types of startups who are involved with solving some sort of problem with technology, whether it’s with hardware, software, apps or algorithms.” The DMZ and its affiliated accelerator program Ryerson Futures have housed 180 startups. These startups have, collectively, raised more than C$70m ($57.5m) in funding. Valerie Fox, executive director of DMZ, said: “Five years ago Ryerson University had a lofty goal to help grow Canada’s digital economy by empowering young people and giving them the tools to realise their dreams. The result has surpassed every expectation. The DMZ is fuelling the success of entrepreneurs at home and abroad at an unprecedented pace.” 

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