BioNova Announces BioInnovation Challenge Semi-Finalists
HALIFAX – BioNova has announced the eight early-stage health and life sciences companies from Atlantic Canada that will take part in this year’s BioInnovation Challenge.
The BioInnovation Challenge is part pitch competition and part accelerator and has been part of the annual life sciences industry event BioPort Atlantic for more than 10 years.
More than 50 companies have gone through the program since 2011 and many have gone on to raise millions. ABK BioMedical, the first-place winner of BIC 2011, raised a record-setting $30 million of venture capital in 2019.
This year’s BIC will be held during BioNova’s 21st annual BioPort conference, Nov. 2-3, 2022, with the BIC semi-finals kicking off on November 1st.
The eight semi-finalists will present their business ideas on November 1 to a panel of judges from the health and life sciences industries.
The panel will pick three finalists that will pitch in the finals on November 3. The winner will be announced that afternoon at the closing of BioPort.
This year’s winner will be awarded a grand prize worth $55,000. That means $25,000 in seed funding to develop their business idea and an advisory services package exceeding $30,000.
Previous participants of the competition include Swiftsure Innovations, Motryx, Breathe BioMedical, ABK BioMedical, NovaResp Technologies, Coloursmith Labs, 3DBioFibr, MacKenzie Healthcare Technologies, and Chinova Bioworks.
BioNova is a Nova Scotia-based accelerator in the health and life sciences industries. The organization represents more than 150 companies in Nova Scotia that raised more than $75 million in 2020.
The full list of BioInnovation Challenge semi-finalists is below:
Aycoutay Technologies Inc.— NS
Aycoutay is the new measure for tracking your body’s wellbeing. Our next-generation technology allows you to capture and analyze meaningful data about your health – digestive, neurological, cardiovascular, hormonal, mood, energy, and more.
Bêche Nutraceutical Company — NS
Manufacturer of Natural & Non-Prescriptive Health Products using extracts and hydrolysates derived from Canadian east coast Sea Cucumber (sp. Cucumaria frondosa) distributed and exported in capsule form.
CanBliss Beverages Inc. — PEI
CannBliss produces non-alcoholic wines infused with Cannabis (THC & CBD) utilizing nano-emulsion technology. Our wine beverages provide the right amount of THC and CBD to offer a sensible and satisfying substitute for people seeking alcohol-free solutions.
Drinkable Water Solutions Inc. — NS
Developed the world’s first effortless, affordable, and accurate drinking water test device for consumers – providing real-time contaminant analysis, health risk intel, and treatment guidance.
Hollo Medical Inc. — NS
Hollo reduces the burden of respiratory disease by transforming the cumbersome inhaler spacer into a device with optimal drug deposition that fits in a pocket.
Myomar Molecular Inc. — NS
Muscle loss severely impacts quality of life and life expectancy. We are creating solutions to monitor, prevent and better treat muscle loss. Our mandate is to provide personalized wellness and healthy aging.
Tunistrong Technologies Inc. — PEI
Tunistrong Technologies Inc. is creating value from a problematic invasive marine species called Tunicates by developing a nano material used to add strength to composite materials.
Virtual Hallway — NS
Virtual Hallway’s platform gets patients rapid specialist-level care by facilitating phone consultations between primary care providers and specialist physicians.