BioNova announces healthtech finalists for $25,000 pitch competition

Eight semi-finalists have been chosen to compete in the BioInnovation Challenge (BIC), BioNova’s regional health and life sciences business competition.

“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.”

The competition will be held in Halifax on November 7 during BioPort 2018 at the Halifax Convention Centre, and the winner will be announced on November 8. This year’s semi-finalists will receive sessions with pitch training coach Linda Plano, who has over ten years of experience mentoring life sciences entrepreneurs. The 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.

The semi-finalists include:

Coloursmith Labs: Produces direct-to-consumer contact lenses that work as a practical solution to colour blindness.

Unified Health: Developing new models designed to ease the strain on the emergency system while reducing healthcare costs.

Talem Health Analytics: Developing software for healthcare professionals to track, analyze, and predict treatment regimens for people in motor vehicle accidents.

Picomole: Developing a painless, accurate, and versatile diagnostic breath test to detect early stage lung cancer.

BioHuntress: Offers a natural treatment for blood cancer.

Neuro Amel Technologies: Produces a frameless, automated brace that uses electrical stimulation to improve mobility for stroke patients.

Macro Movements: Develops 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.

Photo via Unsplash.