Introducing DiscoveryGarden: an innovative company built on UPEI technology

The University of Prince Edward Island has launched a private company to service and complement technology developed by the Robertson Library. DiscoveryGarden Inc. will provide service for Islandora-open-source software for the long-term management and archiving of digital information.

'Over the past two years the Islandora software has evolved into a leading open-source digital asset management system,' says Mark Leggott, University Librarian, and CEO of DiscoveryGarden Inc. 'We are pleased to be able to leverage this university-led innovation in the creation of a new spin-off company which will provide a wide range of services for the Islandora software ecosystem. We are also pleased to recognize the critical assistance of both ACOA and Innovation PEI in facilitating this promising IT start-up.'

Leggott says if DiscoveryGarden's first-quarter results are anything to go by, the future is very promising indeed. Their client list already includes major museums, libraries, universities, and archives all around the world, as well as an increasing number of private sector industries who are in need of transforming their raw data into useable information.

'I congratulate Mark Leggott and his team at DiscoveryGarden Inc.,' says Wade MacLauchlan, UPEI President. 'We are proud that this business has been nurtured by UPEI and that it emerges from our underlying commitment to professional service and innovation. In recent months, UPEI has licensed several new technologies to private companies, and today we celebrate the creation of a new company that will enable the world to benefit from an innovative technology and service.'

'It is pleasing to see an Island company arise in the Information and Communications Technology to address the needs of Islanders, starting at the UPEI Robertson Library, and branching out to help clients in other markets,' said Allan Campbell, minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning. 'I look forward to seeing you flourish in new markets and exporting your knowledge to generate wealth and to create jobs.'

Three Oaks Innovations Inc., UPEI's commercialization arm, helped negotiate and facilitate the launch of DiscoveryGarden Inc.

'We are excited to have been a part of initiating the process and coordinating the follow-through that led to this deal,' says Sophie Theriault, director of Technology Transfer and Commercialization Coordination at Three Oaks Innovations. 'DiscoveryGarden is the go-to company for institutions who care about the long-term archiving and management of their digital data. I think you are going to see some exciting things from this company.'

Find out more about Islandora and DiscoveryGarden Inc. at islandora.ca and discoverygarden.ca.