AirZone, of Kelowna, was a finalist in the first New Ventures competition in 2001. While they didn’t win that year, they’re still around and doing well. AirZone manufacturers tents with pneumatic inflatable poles. This makes them easier to set up, in “less than 12 seconds” with an air compressor, bike pump, or CO2 cartridge. They’re also very durable and suitable for extreme weather where traditional tents would fail.
After competing in New Ventures BC, AirZone received good coverage from the likes of Popular Science, Wired, and Western Living magazines, to name a few. They have also expanded the technology to other uses, included a Golfnet practice tent, and other construction and entertainment tents. They have also established a UK office.