Software Company Receives $1M to Green the World’s Computer Industry
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<strong>Calgary, Alberta</strong><br />A Canada-based software company that helped its customers cut global CO2 emissions by more than 29,000 tons during the past 12 months — the equivalent of taking 5,000 cars off the road — is preparing to ramp up sales of its ecologically friendly software that’s already revolutionized more than 30,000 public and private desktops worldwide, said Tim Griffin, president of Userful Corp.<br /><br />Userful is a Web service that lets users multiply and manage their desktop computers. They can multiply their hardware investment, creating up to 10 independent workstations from a single computer by attaching multiple monitors, mice and keyboards. This reduces demand for electricity and cuts hardware waste by up to 80 percent.<br /><br />Userful also enables users to manage and monitor their desktops through a central administrative Web site that generates significant savings in administration. Userful replaces expensive administrative tools, licenses and IT staff enabling nonexperts to easily manage and control their desktops from a simple Web browser. By switching to Userful, organizations typically save more than 50 percent on their desktop computing costs, said Griffin.<br /><br />In an effort to expand Userful’s international reach and boost sales of its products, AVAC Ltd. has committed a $1 million investment from AVAC’s capacity builder program.<br /><br />“Userful software programs are becoming recognized as the new global standard in green computing on Linux and represent a significant growth opportunity,” said Jacques LaPointe, senior investment manager at AVAC Ltd.<br /><br />“Userful’s products are unique in the marketplace and AVAC’s investment, which will be repaid through revenues over time, will help the company take better advantage of the global opportunities their technology presents. It will also help Userful attract third-party risk capital to its user-friendly technology,” added LaPointe.<br /><br />More specifically, AVAC’s investment will help Userful attract new personnel and build channel sales, whereby independent partners act as an extension of Userful’s direct sales force, said Griffin.<br /><br />“We’ve got a very successful product, and this money is strategically important because of what it will help us do. The investment is also a vote of confidence in Userful and our long-term approach to the company’s development,” added Griffin.<br /><br />AVAC helps Alberta-based companies build capacity and attract commercial investment to advance ideas and products in agribusiness, ICT, life sciences and other industrial technology sectors.<br /><br />“The fund addresses a shortage of available funding from third-party investors for new and existing companies. It also provides mentoring, marketing and operational guidance and other support to help Alberta businesses become competitive in both local and global markets,” explained Ross Bricker, AVAC president and CEO.<br />Viewed 5905 times.
