With support from the Provincial and Federal Governments, a student group from the province will soon engage in an international completion aimed at revolutionizing the transportation industry.
Paradigm Hyperloop, a group with students from Newfoundland and Labrador and Boston, will be competing in the SpaceX Hyperloop Competition in California this July. The Hyperloop concept is focused on delivering a ground mode of transportation at speeds over 700 MPH, where vacuum tubes would stretch from destination to destination and pods would travel inside them. The work of each competing international team is intended to accelerate the design and feasibility of the Hyperloop. Past student participants have leveraged this experience to give them employment opportunities at firms such as Tesla and Google, while others have created firms in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $87,024 to the project, and the Government of Canada is providing a non-repayable contribution of $174,048.
Sarah Stoodley, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, on behalf of the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, as well as Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency made the announcement today.
Economic growth and the creation of good jobs for Atlantic Canadians require innovation and diversification. Support for this project is one way the Government of Canada is growing the innovation economy by working to sustain strategic clusters, and enhance the development and reach of business accelerators and incubators. Projects like this also contribute to the Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.
Support for innovation and technology delivers on commitments in The Way Forward’s Business Innovation Agenda to strengthen the province’s economic foundation. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified economy and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“The Paradigm Hyperloop team continues to impress with their innovative designs and product development. The team’s quest to revolutionize the transportation industry speaks to the skills and capabilities of these students. Our government recognizes the importance of growing the innovation economy in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“Our government is laying the foundation for Canadians to become more competitive and succeed in the global economy. The Government of Canada is pleased to invest in Paradigm Hyperloop’s clean technology initiative that will assist with efforts to commercialize Hyperloop technologies.”
Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Paradigm Hyperloop is playing an important role in advancing the clean transportation sector globally, and the Government of Canada is pleased to support their work. Their participation in the SpaceX Hyperloop Competition will create opportunities for Atlantic Canada to succeed in international markets.”
Nick Whelan
Member of Parliament for St. John’s East
“Without the support of both the Federal and Provincial Governments, our success and participation in the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition would not be possible. Paradigm Hyperloop aims to develop a fifth mode of transportation, the hyperloop while fostering innovation and economic growth. The team is very grateful for the tremendous local support we have received in this mission.”
Nathan Power
Project Manager, Paradigm Hyperloop
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Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Paul McGrath
Director of Communications
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
Paul.McGrath@canada.ca
Nathan Power
Project Manager
Paradigm Hyperloop
709-697-3332
nfpower@mun.ca