GEE-GEES FOOTBALL ALUM MAKES IT BIG
Naim El-Far, with uOttawa from 2003 to 2007, and Lightspeed Studios sold the tough CBC reality show on First Memories.
First Memories builds next-generation photography kiosks that are placed in maternity wards in hospitals and allows families and friends of newborns to take pictures with the baby, share these pictures online and via email and also walk away with a colour photo, all for free. The firm earns profit from sponsorships and advertising.
"They reviewed our books and reviewed our technology," said El-Far, 28, whose brother Fayez also works at the start-up.
"They made sure that everything that was said on set was actually true."
First Memories is currently in use in eight Canadian hospitals, with rapid growth planned in 2009.
"We're primarily in the kiosk business, but we're moving to other platforms like Facebook, iPhones, Blackberries, and Bluetooth-enabled cell phones", said El-Far.
The group first presented to the Dragons' Den in June.
"There was a lot of waiting."
Lightspeed Studios' website: www.lsstudios.ca
Source: Gee-Gees Athletics