Nov 4, 2020 | BIOPORT ATLANTIC, News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2020
BioNova Announces Swiftsure Innovations as the Winner of the Tenth Annual BioInnovation Challenge (BIC) at BioPort 2020
Halifax, NS – November 4, 2020 – Today Swiftsure Innovations from Newfoundland was named the winner of BioNova’s tenth annual BioInnovation Challenge (BIC) business pitch competition at BioPort 2020. Swiftsure is developing a novel endotracheal tube that will revolutionize oral care for mechanically ventilated patients.
“The BioInnovation Challenge gave us the opportunity to really hone our business plan and strategy,” Deanne McCarthy (RN), CEO & Founder said, “We have benefited not only from winning, but from the program and training it provided as a whole. It was also a great chance to learn about the game changing technologies being developed right here in Atlantic Canada.”
The eight semi-finalist startups from across Atlantic Canada that participated this year raised over $1 Million dollars since the start of 2020, making this one of the most competitive years in the competitions ten year history.
The goal of the competition is to help ease the transition from research laboratory to market. Swiftsure Innovations will receive a prize package that includes $25,000 in seed funding and an advisory services package worth more than $30,000. Swiftsure Innovations was up against AffinityImmuno Inc. from Prince Edward Island, and 3D BioFibR from Nova Scotia.
“This year’s competition highlights the strong leadership and innovation coming from health and life sciences startups in the region and the need for continued support programs like the BioInnovation Challenge.” Scott Moffitt, Executive Director, BioNova
The Judging Panel:
Rhiannon Davies – Founding and Managing Partner, Sandpiper Ventures
Arif Aziz, PhD – Senior Manager, National Life Science SR&ED, MNP
Patricia Folkins – Partner, Bereskin & Parr LLP
About BioNova
BioNova leads the Health and Life Sciences sector in Nova Scotia and is the host of the BioPort Conference, the BioInnovation Challenge and BIC Junior. Our industry-led sector growth plan, BioFuture 2030, has made us the fastest growing sector in Atlantic Canada. We represent over 150 companies in Nova Scotia who have raised over $73 million in investment dollars since the beginning of 2020. Visit our website at www.BioNova.ca
About BioPort
BioPort provides a forum to educate, inform and inspire the health and life sciences community to develop their ideas, commercialize their technologies and build links within the region and with guests brought in from the U.S. and from around the world. For more information visit www.bioportatlantic.ca.
Media Contact:
Shana Cristoferi, Marketing Manager, BioNova
902-830-9193
[email protected]
Nov 6, 2019 | MNP, Motryx, News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2019
BioNova Announces Motryx as the Winner of the Ninth Annual BioInnovation Challenge (BIC) at BioPort 2019
Halifax, NS – November 6, 2019 – Today Motryx from Nova Scotia was named the winner of BioNova’s ninth annual BioInnovation Challenge (BIC) business pitch competition at BioPort 2019. Motryx is developing high-resolution, wireless, water and temperature resistant data-loggers with data analysis capabilities.
“The BioInnovation Challenge has positioned us for fast acceleration,” Franziska Broell, of Motryx said, “We have benefitted not only from winning, but from the program and training it provided as a whole.”
Atlantic Canada’s best health and life science innovators participate in the BioInnovation Challenge (BIC) business pitch competition each year. The competition’s goal is to help ease the transition from research laboratory to market. Motryx will receive a prize package that includes $25,000 in seed funding and an advisory services package worth more than $30,000. Motryx was up against SeeChange Biochemistry and Fieldetect.
“Selecting a winner was difficult for our judges panel as all three finalists have what it takes to make their start up a success,” said Scott Moffitt, Executive Director of BioNova. “Congratulations to Motryx.”
The Judging Panel:
Jennifer Hamilton, PhD – Senior Director, New Ventures at Johnson & Johnson Innovation and Advisor to Johnson & Johnson’s Impact Investing team
Arif Aziz, PhD – Senior Manager, National Life Science SR&ED, MNP
Milos Todorovic, PhD – International Business Development Officer, Global Affairs Canada
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Media Contact:
Shana Cristoferi, Marketing Manager, BioNova
902-830-9193
[email protected]
About BioNova
BioNova leads, accelerates, and advocates for Nova Scotia’s growing health and life sciences sector. Since 1993, BioNova has been accelerating the growth of its member companies. By hosting networking and educational events, and providing connections to potential funders and business resources, BioNova helps companies succeed. While these companies commercialize life-changing research to improve healthcare, provide healthier food, and develop sustainable solutions, BioNova advocates on behalf of the sector. BioNova champions the sector’s cluster of world-class research facilities, incubator programs, and companies who, together, bring investment and jobs to Nova Scotia. www.bionova.ca
Aug 29, 2018 | Coloursmith Labs Inc., News, THE BIOINNOVATION CHALLENGE
| NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BioNova Names 2018 BioInnovation Challenge (BIC) Semi-Finalists
August 29, 2018 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Eight (8) semi-finalists have been chosen to compete in the BioInnovation Challenge (BIC), BioNova’s regional health and life sciences business competition, which will be held in Halifax on November 7th during BioPort 2018 at the Halifax Convention Centre.
BIC is one of the longest running business competitions in the region with over 50 companies having gone through the program since 2011. The competition has supported the growth and innovation of past winners such as New Brunswick-based Pfera Inc., along with Spring Loaded Technology, ABK BioMedical and Covina Biomedical from Nova Scotia.
“A strong and vibrant economy in our region requires continuous innovation and BIC has become a key program to support that,” said Scott Moffitt, Managing Director of BioNova. “Many of the companies coming out of the program have gone on to raise millions to grow and scale.”
This year’s semi-finalists will receive significant training to be positioned for business growth, including sessions with expert pitch training coach Linda Plano, who has over ten years of experience mentoring entrepreneurs with start-ups in life sciences. This year’s winner will receive $25,000 in funding to develop their business idea as well as a package of support services and mentoring valued at more than $30,000.
Read more about the eight (8) semi-finalists below:
Coloursmith Labs – Direct-to-consumer contact lenses that work as the world’s first practical solution to colour blindness.
Unified Health – New models designed to ease the strain on the emergency system while reducing healthcare costs and bringing better patient outcomes.
Talem Health Analytics – Software for healthcare professionals to track, analyze and predict treatment regimens for people in motor vehicle accidents.
Picomole – A painless, accurate, and versatile diagnostic breath test to detect early stage lung cancer.
BioHuntress – A natural treatment for blood cancer that brings a better patient experience.
Neuro Amel Technologies – A frameless, automated brace that uses electrical stimulation to improve mobility for stroke patients.
Macro Movements – Software that gives feedback on movement to prevent injury.
3F Waste Recovery – Turns waste problems in the fishery, farming and forestry industries into profitable solutions.
BIC 2018 is presented by BioNova in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, BioNB, Emergence, DalhousieUniversity Industry Liaison and Innovation, Springboard Atlantic, Jennifer Cameron PR, PWC, Cox & Palmer, Bereskin & Parr, Archway Insurance, and Grant Thornton.
BIC 2018 will take place over two days in November. The eight (8) semi-finalists will present to a panel of judges and the conference audience at BioPort, BioNova’s annual conference, on November 7th. The top three presenters will then pitch the following morning. The winner will be announced at the close of BioPort 2018 on the afternoon of November 8th.
About BioNova:
BioNova leads, accelerates, and advocates for Nova Scotia’s growing health and life sciences sector. Since 1993, BioNova has been accelerating the growth of its member companies. By hosting networking and educational events, and providing connections to potential funders and business resources, BioNova helps companies succeed. While these companies commercialize life-changing research to improve healthcare, provide healthier food, and develop sustainable solutions, BioNova advocates on behalf of the sector. BioNova champions the sector’s cluster of world-class research facilities, incubator programs, and companies who, together, bring investment and jobs to Nova Scotia.
About BioPort 2018:
BioPort 2018 will take place at the Halifax Convention Centre on November 7 and 8. BioPort provides a forum to educate, inform and inspire the health and life sciences community to develop their ideas, commercialize their technologies and build links within the region and with guests brought in from the U.S. and from around the world.
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For further information, media may contact:
Shana Cristoferi
Marketing Manager, BioNova
902-421-5705
[email protected]
Click here to download the BIC, BioPort, and BioNova Logos. |
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Jul 24, 2018 | News
th and 8th at the Halifax Convention Centre. With a top prize of $25,000 in funding and $30,000 in in-kind services, BIC is set to highlight the potential of the many growing Health and Life Sciences start-ups in Atlantic Canada. BIC applications are open until August 10th.
You can learn more about Linda Plano and her work by visiting her website or following her on Twitter @lindaplano.]]>
Jun 25, 2018 | BIOPORT ATLANTIC, News, THE BIOINNOVATION CHALLENGE
BioPort 2018 Announces Keynote Speakers
And Explores the Future of Life Sciences in Atlantic Canada
June 21, 2018 – Halifax, NOVA SCOTIA – Health and life sciences innovators, industry leaders, and investors from across North America will come together to attend BioPort 2018, on November 7-8, 2018 at the Halifax Convention Centre. This year’s event will feature keynote speakers Dr. Corrina Lathan, CEO of AnthroTronix, Inc. and William Charnetski, Ontario’s Chief Health Innovation Strategist, who will explore the transformative impact of technology on life sciences companies and health care. The annual event will also feature a business pitch competition and an exciting new program targeting Nova Scotia’s youth.
“BioPort highlights the potential of the health and life sciences sector in Atlantic Canada to tackle the world’s toughest challenges,” said Scott Moffitt, Managing Director of BioNova. “This year our speakers will share how embracing disruptive technologies like robotics, artificial intelligence, and synthetic biology, present opportunities to grow our sector.”
Corinna Lathan, Ph.D., will provide the keynote address on November 7, 2018 at 6:00 pm ADT. Dr. Lathan is a neuroscientist, engineer, and health technology entrepreneur. Her company has successfully developed an FDA-cleared mobile platform for healthcare providers to assess cognitive function. She has also developed robotics for kids with disabilities, and wearable sensors for training surgeons and soldiers. These human-technology innovations have been featured in Forbes and Time magazines, and led to Dr. Lathan being named as MIT Technology Review Magazine’s ‘Top 100 World Innovators’.
On November 8, 2018 at 12:30 pm ADT, William Charnetski, LL.B, will provide a keynote address on how collaboration across the health care system facilitates the adoption of innovative health technologies. Mr. Charnetski is an accomplished national and global executive who has worked in the highest levels of business, law, and government. For over 10 years he was vice president and general counsel for AstraZeneca. He was also a partner at the law firm Torys LLP and served as chief of staff to The Hon. William Graham, P.C., Q.C.
As per previous years, BioPort will feature the BioInnovation Challenge (BIC), an Atlantic Canadian health and life science business pitch competition that gives entrepreneurs a chance to win $25,000 in funding to develop their business idea. 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.
For more information or to register for the event, visit BioPortAtlantic.ca. Complimentary media registration is available to reporters. Follow #BioPort2018 @BioNovaNS for updates.
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.
About BioNova
BioNova leads, accelerates, and advocates for Nova Scotia’s growing health and life sciences sector. Since 1993, BioNova has been accelerating the growth of its member companies. By hosting networking and educational events, and providing connections to potential funders and business resources, BioNova helps companies succeed. While these companies commercialize life-changing research to improve healthcare, provide healthier food, and develop clean energy solutions, BioNova advocates on behalf of the sector. BioNova champions the sector’s cluster of world-class research facilities, incubator programs, and companies who, together, bring investment and jobs to Nova Scotia.
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For more Information, contact:
Shana Cristoferi
Marketing Manager, BioNova
[email protected]
(902) 421-5705]]>
