SMART Technologies Inc.

1997 Winner: Outstanding Commercial Achievement in Alberta Science and Technology (Sales less than 25 million)

Global Growth for Alberta Tech Company

SMART Technologies creates and sells hardware and software products that help people collaborate and work together whether they are in the same room or spread across the world. The company’s flagship product is the SMART Board, an interactive white board that looks like a regular white board, but is connected to a computer and can be used to capture and immediately transmit all the notes written on it during a meeting.

The Judges recognized that SMART Technologies has experienced tremendous growth over the past three years. Sales have increased by 107%, with a portion of that growth attributable to a 260% increase in export sales, primarily in the US, Japan and Europe. During the same period the number of staff has increased by 120%. Major technology companies have developed strategic alliances with SMART Technologies for its product development expertise. They include PictureTel Corporation, VTEL Corporation, NorTel and Texas Instruments. This partnership set the stage for continued growth and development.