This new documentary explores N.L.'s booming tech startup scene

First it was cod. Then it was oil.

But despite thoseeconomic setbacks which still casta shadow over Newfoundland and Labrador's financial future one director has turned his camera toward a burgeoning industrygaining a foothold across the province.

A new Absolutely Canadian documentary, airing this weekend on CBC,exploresthe rapid expansion of the Atlantic province's tech sector growth thatsurprised even Christopher Richardson, the man at the helm ofSilicon Island.

"There is so much talk of doom and gloom about the N.L. economy, and it's so easy to fall into that camp," Richardson said.

"I was there too, but doing this film really opened my eyes to the real opportunity on the horizon. I had no idea Newfoundland and Labrador had this new front of business activity bubbling away in the background."

Memorial University's business incubator, Genesis, supports the three companies profiled in the film.

Michelle Simms, president and CEO, says St. John's has turned into a kind of tech hub in the Atlantic region, leading the eastern provinces in new startups.

And the location comes with a distinct advantage, she says.

"If you live in Toronto and you're trying to grow a startup, you're one of 5,000 startups that aretrying to grow," Simmssaid.

"The beautiful thing about Newfoundland and Labrador is that in this province, all the investors know your name. All of the people in the tech ecosystem get to know you very quickly. You're not a number here."

Meet the innovators

Isaac Adejuwon, chief executive officerof Metricsflow, is developing technology to replace web cookies, the tiny digital filesthattrack online use.

Hewishes the startup sector was better known in Newfoundland and Labrador. Its 200tech companies bringin investments worth over $1.6 billion, he says, and these companies are always hunting for talent.

Emily Bland's social enterpriseSucSeed specializesin hydroponic grow kits. Blandenjoys working alongside other startups:if you have a challenge, she says, there's always someone a few feet away who has had that same challenge and they already know the solution.

Dr. Purvikalyan Pallegar and Dr. Nikitha KendyalafoundedNucliq Bilogics, a company developing medical kits to test gut health. Theyadmitthat when they arrived at Memorial University from India,they planned to leave as soon as they got their degrees. But once they started building their business, having children, and hiking on the East Coast Trail, they decided to stay.

Despite having the highest provincial debt per capita in Canada and contending with outmigration, an aging population, and an oil industry that's winding down, all three companiesare building budding businesses here and perhaps paving the way for a new, globally competitive tech hub.

Silicon Island debutsSaturday at 8:30 pm NT on CBC Television. It can watched on demand any time on Gem, CBC's free streaming platform, or by clicking the video player above.

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