In search of top new health and life sciences entrepreneurs across Atlantic Canada, Emergence has joined forces with BioNova to present this year’s BioInnovation Challenge (BIC).
BioInnovation Challenge 2018 semi-finalists: photographed in Halifax this week with Emergence director, Martin Yuill and pitch coach, Linda Plano
The BioInnovation Challenge offers early-stage health and life science companies from across Atlantic Canada the opportunity to compete for $25,000 in seed funding and $30,000 in advisory services to help develop their business ideas.
The finals will be held during BioPort 2018 on November 7-8, 2018 at the Halifax Convention Centre.
The BioInnovation Challenge is an Atlantic Canadian business competition that recognizes commercialization potential in health and life sciences, and encourages innovation and the creation of new companies in the bioscience sector.
“Every year we are blown away by the potential of the companies in the competition,” Scott Moffitt, Managing Director at BioNova told us. “Even a small investment in health innovation can spur business growth, job creation and better health outcomes for Canadians.”
This year’s BioPort 2018 conference is set to be the biggest yet, with the CEO of AnthroTronix, Dr. Corinna Lathan, scheduled to give the keynote address.
New to this year’s program, the conference will also feature BioInnovation Challenge Junior (BIC Junior), for Nova Scotian high school and first year post-secondary students to create health and life science business ideas. The winner will receive a prize of $2,000.
Lisa Pfister, CEO of PFERA
Past winners of BIC include New Brunswick-based Emergence client, Pfera Inc., and Spring Loaded Technology and Covina Biomedical from Nova Scotia.
This year’s finalists will be awarded advisory services with the first-place winner receiving $25,000 in seed funding, for a total prize package valued at $55,000.
BIC is supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Dalhousie University Industry Liaison and Innovation, EmerGence BioIncubator and BioNB, with in-kind services provided by Archway Insurance, Bereskin & Parr, Jennifer Cameron PR, PwC, Cox and Palmer, and Grant Thornton.
About BioNova
BioNova leads, accelerates, and advocates for Nova Scotia’s growing health and life sciences sector.
About BioPort
Since 2002, BioPort has provided a forum to inform and inspire the health and life sciences community to develop their ideas, commercialize their technologies and build links within the region, nationally and abroad.
See also: BioNova Opens BIC Applications