North Inc., formerly known as Thalmic Labs, has received $24-million from the federal government.

The funding was announced Tuesday at the company's Kitchener offices by Navdeep Bains, Canada's minister of innovation, science and economic development.

Bains said the money would help the company create 230 new jobs, most of which would be in Kitchener.

"That sends a positive signal to the employees here that there's more opportunities and it also demonstrates that a Canadian company has the ability to compete against some of the big players like Apple and Google and Facebook as well," he said.

High-tech meets high-fashion: Ontario company may finally win eyewear technology race

An Ontario tech start-up thinks it has the foresight to succeed where giant international technology companies have stumbled. North Inc., which is a Waterloo technology firm, says it has created high-tech glasses that focus on high-fashion.

Focals made by North Inc., which retails at roughly $1,000, leverages the “magic” of technology with a hidden holographic display that projects images about an arms length in front of your eyes. 

Focals

Focals, made by North Inc., retail at roughly $1,000. The Waterloo tech start-up says the glasses leverage the 'magic' of technology with a hidden holographic display that projects images about an arms length in front of your eyes. 

Distracted too often by your smartphone? This company thinks it can help

A small Canadian company believes it can succeed where Google failed, and convince consumers they need smartglasses to replace their smartphones. Kitchener, Ont.-based North has invested millions of dollars and years of effort into designing Focals, which unlike Google's Glass product, look like regular eyeglasses.

A model wears the Focals smart-glasses. Wearers can check texts and emails with the glasses, as well use clock, weather and mapping functions.

Focals smart glasses

A model wears the Focals smartglasses. Wearers can check texts and emails with the glasses, as well use weather, time and mapping functions.

"We're really excited about the fact that North is now considered in that league when it comes to specific eyewear technology."

The funding is a repayable contribution, which means the company will eventually have to pay it back.

The announcement came the same day North Inc., 

Navdeep Bains

An Ontario tech start-up thinks it has the foresight to succeed where giant international technology companies have stumbled.

Kitchener's North Inc. gets $24M from federal government for job creation

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