The Queen's Centre for Enterprise Development opened in Ottawa with a gala reception at the National Gallery Tuesday evening.

The centre plans to help start-ups learn the management skills needed to survive, says CEO Niraj Bhargava.

The centre has recruited what he calls "knowledge angels" - people experienced in the technology business - to lend their first-hand advice and support.

But the service isn't free. In fact, the centre may just cash in if one of its start-ups finds success.

"We have to recognize their financial realities and the needs they have," say Bhargava. "And we charge fees. Sometimes we take options or equity in the company, if that's their best way of compensating us."

David Cobey is the co-founder of Magma Communications. He watched that company grow from two to 200. Now, as the centre's business development manager, he'll get to help other start-ups.

"It's a lot of fun building businesses and helping businesses grow faster, and in a more sustainable way [by] leveraging other people's expertise," says Cobey.

To help their new clients, Bhargava says the centre plans to use the faculty and business models from Queen's School of Business.

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