News release

Dartmouth Company Receives Loan to Expand Work in Augmented Reality

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (Dec. 2004 - Nov. 2022)

A Dartmouth company that builds and manages augmented reality applications for major retail customers throughout North America is hiring more employees and developing new applications with help from the province.

Ad-Dispatch is receiving a $250,000 term loan through Nova Scotia Business Inc. to help with the growing demand for its product and to compete globally.

Ad-Dispatch uses what is known as augmented reality to bring merchandise and clothing to life via smartphones, tablets, personal computers or other webcam-enabled devices. When the devices recognize specific visual triggers on clothing logos, called total visual recognition, characters and other imagery instantly become interactive. To see a demonstration go to www.youtube.com/AdDispatch .

"Ad-Dispatch is an innovative Nova Scotia company that is recognized across Canada and the United States for advancements in augmented reality technology," said Economic and Rural Development Minister Percy Paris. "Through jobsHere, the plan to create jobs and grow our economy, we are committed to assisting local companies become more innovative and competitive."

Ad-Dispatch works with some of the largest clothing distributors in the United States. These distributors have licences to some of the most recognizable brands in stores like Macy's, JC Penny, Target, Walmart and Sears.

"Augmented Reality is just now at the point where it's becoming a recognized term in the industry, however we certainly have a long way to go in educating the market on its many applications and uses while keeping a competitive advantage over other industry players," said Nathan Kroll, president and CEO of Ad-Dispatch. "By receiving funding of this kind, we can pursue the market more aggressively with key hires in both sales and product development to ensure we remain industry leaders."

Ad-Dispatch has also worked with North America's finest marketing agencies and big brands like Chevrolet, Mercedes and Home Depot to create memorable and meaningful consumer experiences.

"We are investing in a homegrown company that is harnessing emerging technology and working with some of the largest companies in North America," said Stephen Lund, president and CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc. "This is a great example of how Nova Scotia businesses are competing on a global level."

Ad-Dispatch has been recognized by Profit Magazine as among Canada's fastest growing companies in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Founded in 1999, Ad-Dispatch is a North-American leader in Augmented Reality on the cutting-edge of technology, the company is recognized globally for its unique ability to integrate augmented reality technology into the marketing mainstream. The company is headquartered in Dartmouth. For more information, visit www.ad-dispatch.com or follow on Twitter @addispatch.

Nova Scotia Business Inc. is the province's private-sector-led business development agency. Through trade development, investment attraction, business financing and venture capital, NSBI assists local companies and attracts international companies to Nova Scotia. For more information, visit www.nsbi.ca and follow online at www.nsbi.ca/connect.