BioNova is calling for early-stage life sciences startups from Atlantic Canada to enter the 2019 BioInnovation Challenge, or BIC, which will take place Nov. 5 and 6 at Pier 21 in Halifax.

Now in its ninth year, BIC is the pitching competition held during BioPort Atlantic, the annual conference for life sciences and biotech in Atlantic Canada. The prize for the winner this year will be $25,000 in seed funding and a $30,000 advisory services package to develop the business idea.

The competition targets early-stage companies and helps entrepreneurs to develop and deliver their pitch.

“Some of the most successful companies in Atlantic Canada were past participants of BIC and benefited from that early support ecosystem that the competition provides,” said BioNova Executive Director Scott Moffitt said in a statement.

Anyone interested in participating can find entry details here and must enter before Aug. 9.

Since 2011, BIC has provided more than $300,000 in money and services to encourage innovation and supported the creation of over 50 new companies in the sector. The competition also provides participants with sessions from expert pitch training coach Linda Plano to help in honing their pitches.

Past participants of BIC include ABK Biomedical (which announced a US$30 million funding round earlier this year), NovaResp and Coloursmith Labs from Nova Scotia, along with New Brunswick-based Chinova Bioworks and Picomole.

BIC is supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Dalhousie University Industry Liaison and Innovation, Emergence and BioNB with in-kind services provided by Archway Insurance, Bereskin & Parr, Jennifer Cameron PR, Cox and Palmer, and Grant Thornton.