BioNova Launches BioInnovation Challenge
BioNova is now accepting applications for the 2016 BioInnovation Challenge, a $50,000 pitching competition for early-stage life sciences companies or researchers from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
BioNova, Nova Scotia’s life sciences industry association, created the BIC to help ease the transition from research laboratory to market. The organization said the BIC is more than just a competition: it is a support program to accelerate Atlantic Canadian researchers and life science companies and help them become bona fide businesses.
Since its inception in 2011, 38 companies and research groups have competed in the BioInnovation Challenge, each receiving significant training.
“We are very excited about this year’s competition,” said Scott Moffitt, managing director of BioNova. “There is a lot of innovation happening in the life sciences in Atlantic Canada and we are on track to be one of the pillars of the new economy, we are definitely a sector to watch out for.”
The finalists will pitch at BioPort Atlantic, the annual life sciences industry event, on Oct. 25 and 26. Applications for the competition, which can be found here, close on Aug. 12.
Shad Launches NB Initiative
Shad, the national business and innovation program for high school students, has launched the Shad New Brunswick initiative, which aims to provide a life-long support network for the province’s top talent.
Shad participants will now be connected not only to Shad’s peer-to-peer alumni network, but also to businesses, incubators and educational programs in the local innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is providing $89,000 to help the Pond-Deshpande Centre at the University of New Brunswick to hire a coordinator to promote the Shad program, work with the business community and identify students to join Shad.
Hermoni to Speak at Startup Grind Halifax
Oded Hermoni, a partner at London-based hedge fund Rhodium Capital, will speak at the next Startup Grind Halifax event on June 29 at the McInnes Cooper offices.
Since 2012, Hermoni has invested in early stage companies in Israel and North America and acted as a bridge for Rhodium in Silicon Valley.
He has invested in and been involved with dozens of companies including Zooz, Chosen, Yotpo, Rounds, Silo, Compass, Switchap, and Comedy.com. Hermoni is also the founder and Co-Chair of J-ANGELS and the Israeli Founders and Executives in Silicon Valley. He has been in the tech world since 1999 as an investor, advisor, entrepreneur, and a journalist.
Tickets for the event are available here.
Webinar on Employment Contracts Set for June 14
First Angel Network and Stewart McKelvey will host a one-hour webinar called “The Start-up’s Guide to Avoiding HR Hell - Lesson 1 - Employment Contracts”.
The webinar, which will emphasize the importance of clarity in employee contracts, will be held at noon ADT on June 14.
A statement from FAN said the program will interest startups and fully operating businesses.
Anyone interested in the webinar can sign up here.
