FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5, 2021
BioNova’s BioInnovation Challenge (BIC) Invites Applications from Early-Stage Health and Life Sciences Entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada
Hosted by BioNova, BIC celebrates and accelerates the next top health and life sciences companies in the Atlantic Canadian region.
HALIFAX. N.S. — For the eleventh year, BioNova will host one of the longest-running business competitions in Atlantic Canada: the BioInnovation Challenge (BIC) to recognize significant commercialization potential in health and life sciences. Early-stage health and life sciences companies in Atlantic Canada will compete for a $55,000 package to develop their business idea during the 20th annual BioPort conference which will be held from November 2nd to November 5th. The conference will be held virtually this year, increasing accessibility for regional applicants while connecting them to potential partners, investors, key government contacts, academia, and other supporters from a regional, national, and international level.
Since its inception in 2011, BIC has supported the creation of over 70 new companies in the sector and provided $465,000 in prize value to accelerate innovation. The competition also provides participants with sessions from expert pitch training coach Linda Plano to create and enhance their pitches.
“In the last decade, BioNova has invested over $4 million to accelerate companies in our region — including those involved in BIC. Past BIC participants have benefited greatly from that early support and gone on to become high-growth and successful companies, providing immense value to our regional economy,” said Scott Moffitt, executive director of BioNova.
Last year’s eight BIC semi-finalists raised over $1 million in 2020. Previous participants of the competition include ABK Biomedical, NovaResp Technologies, 3DBioFibr, Motryx, and Coloursmith Labs from Nova Scotia; Swiftsure Innovations from Newfoundland and Labrador; and Chinova Bioworks and Picomole from New Brunswick.
BIC is supported ACOA, PEI Bioalliance and BioNB, with in-kind services provided by Cox and Palmer, Gallagher, Bereskin & Parr, Grant Thornton, and Jennifer Cameron PR.
Applications for BIC must be submitted to BioNova by August 6, 2021. For full competition details and to apply, please visit https://bioportatlantic.ca/bioinnovation-challenge/
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About BioNova
BioNova leads, accelerates, and advocates for Nova Scotia’s growing Health and Life Sciences sector and is the host of the BioPort Conference and the BioInnovation Challenge (BIC). Since 1993, BioNova has been accelerating the growth of its member companies to commercialize life-changing research to improve healthcare, provide healthier food, and develop sustainable solutions. BioNova champions the sector’s cluster of world-class research facilities, incubator programs, and companies who, together, bring investment and jobs to Nova Scotia.
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 raised over $75 million in investment dollars in 2020.
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.
Contacts
Media Inquiries:
Shana Cristoferi
Marketing Manager, BioNova
(902)-830-9193
[email protected]
BIC Application Inquiries:
Kerri Mannette
Director of Operations, BioNova
(902)-421-5705
[email protected]