Innovation PEI is looking for promising new P.E.I.-based businesses and startups to bring forward proposals for the second round of its Ignition program.

The provincial government’s innovation agency recently announced the winners of its Development and Commercialization Fund, and is now similarly encouraging earlier stage companies with its Ignition program.

The first round of the ignition program, launched in 2014, provided mentorship and $25,000 of early stage capital to start-ups and traditional small business in P.E.I. Forty-six businesses applied to the Ignition program, the winners included Skip The Waiting Room from Mont Caramel, as well as Can’t Check This and BamText Corp., both of Charlottetown.

The Ignition program offers support for new business ventures in the early stages of operations.

“Government recognizes that innovative and commercially promising projects are being developed in our economy,” Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allen Roach said in a statement. “Entrepreneurship is key to growing the economy of Prince Edward Island and we want to encourage entrepreneurs and start-ups across this province. The Ignition program can help businesses in the crucial early stages of business development.”

Vernon River-based Island Artisan Cheesehouse, which makes locally crafted curd cheese for the food industries, was one of the businesses selected for the first round of Ignition.

“Ignition was perfect to help me reach the market” said Mathieu Gallant, owner of Cheesehouse. “It allowed me to install a packaging line. This helped me control my costs and have a better presence in the marketplace.”

Applications for the Ignition program, which must be submitted before June 1, can be found here.

Meanwhile, Innovation PEI recently approved funding for five projects under the Development and Commercialization Fund for a total investment of $500,000. The government agency will cover what the company spends on development and commercialization up to a maximum of $100,000.

The winners were:

-- Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd., whose Septic Sitter system comprises innovative electronic devices that make on-site sewage systems more sustainable, effective and affordable;

-- MAXIMUS Canada Services, Inc., whose Deltaware Systems will enhance its existing public sector benefits management solution, Medigent, which is currently in use by nine Canadian jurisdictions.

-- Somru Bioscience Inc., which is dedicated to developing investigational medical test kits for patients suffering from Crohn’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis and other illnesses;

-- Mugisha Enterprises Inc., which has developed Video Assistant, a wireless communication tool for film crews to collaborate in an active film and TV production environment;

-- And Frontier Power Systems Inc., which offers renewable energy-based electricity systems to isolated communities around the world.