Applications are now open for the 2018 Spark Innovation Challenge, a Nova Scotia-wide competition for early-stage technologies companies.

Last year, Innovacorp and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency awarded up to $800,000 to 18 different companies across four regions in Nova Scotia. The goal of the competition is to support high-potential, innovative solutions in the province.

Companies can receive up to $50,000 in non-dilutive funding as well as workshops and one-on-one sessions with seasoned professionals. In last year’s competition, each of the winning companies received no less than $25,000.

Last year’s winners included FinLeaf Technologies and Axem Tech, which have since gone on to grow into bona fide companies.

FinLeaf is the research development partner of Aqualitas, a hydroponic grow company and the third licensed producer of cannabis in Nova Scotia. Axem, a tech company in Halifax, recently travelled to China to build its beta prototype.

Innovacorp first began the Spark competition in Cape Breton years ago, and gradually it grew into a provincial competition, replacing the biennial I-3 Startup Technology Competition.

To apply, entrants must submit a 5 to 8 page business summary online by May 22.

You can read more about and apply for the competition here.

Disclosure: Innovacorp is a client of Entrevestor.