On September 25 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, Innovate BC brought together an intimate group of industry, academia, and investors to forge partnerships and spark ideas to address the economic, social, and environmental problems that British Columbians face. This one-day innovation and funding showcase featured inspiring speakers and sessions, networking and pitching, and the announcement of over $1M in funding through our Ignite program.
Here’s a recap of what happened.
L to R: Naina Sloan, Pacific Economic Development Canada; Angie Schick, New Ventures BC; Shikhank Sharma, InBC Investment Corp.; Radwa Saad, Innovate BC; Tomica Divic, Innovate BC
To kick off the day, Sxwpilemaát Siyám (Chief Leanne Joe) of the Squamish Nation extended a warm welcome to all attendees, shedding light on the importance of ancestral lands and sharing insights into her unique identity and responsibilities as a hereditary chief. Her message served as a call to action, emphasizing the significance of reconciliation and fostering meaningful relationships between Indigenous peoples and the broader community. We were privileged to host the event took place on the traditional unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Mission, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
Innovate BC then unveiled Capital Compass BC, a new interactive data platform developed in partnership with Innovate BC, InBC, PacificCan, and New Ventures BC. Navigating B.C.'s capital and business ecosystem can be challenging, and this new tool aims to simplify the process. Capital Compass BC provides a one-stop solution for entrepreneurs, investors and other ecosystem players to access funding-related resources and connect with innovative BC businesses and startups.
The unveiling of Capital Compass BC marked a significant step toward streamlining the funding process for startups and entrepreneurs in the region. With this powerful tool, British Columbia continues to solidify its position as a global innovation leader, poised to address complex challenges and drive positive change.
Tamer Mohamed, Aspect Biosystems
Next, Innovate BC was thrilled to welcome Tamer Mohamed, Founder and CEO of Aspect Biosystems to the stage for a keynote. In the world of innovation and entrepreneurship, success stories often begin with a simple idea and a passionate team. The journey of Aspect Biosystems, a B.C. biotech company, embodies this spirit of innovation, determination, and collaboration. From humble beginnings to global partnerships worth billions, this is a story of how dreams can lead to ground-breaking achievements. Innovate BC was thrilled to support their journey through not only the Ignite program, but with hiring grants and mentorship support as well as through the New Ventures BC Competition, presented by Innovate BC.
From an early age Tamer knew that technology could solve some of the world's most pressing issues, from climate change to economic challenges. As Tamer's passion for science grew, so did his entrepreneurial spirit. He recognized that the true impact of scientific innovation lies in its application, and this led him to explore the world of entrepreneurship. Tamer’s journey into entrepreneurship began with a focus on creating value and addressing real-world problems, which she believed was the essence of commerce.
“One way to move to market is to move to the real world. One of the biggest lessons I learned early on is to get out of the building to make connections, find the right partners, and actively contribute from the ecosystem.”
The journey of Aspect Biosystems serves as an inspiring example of what determination, collaboration, and a passion for innovation can achieve. Their story reminds us that success in entrepreneurship is never guaranteed, but with the right team, mindset, and strategic partnerships, anything is possible. So, whether you're a geek, a nerd, or simply someone with a big idea, remember that your journey might just be the next inspirational story in the world of innovation.
L to R: Udi Daon, Daanaa; Pat Brady, Genome BC; Maya Medeiros, Norton Rose Fulbright; Fernanda Whitaker, Innovate BC (Moderator)
In today's fast-paced business landscape, intellectual property (IP) and its commercialization play a pivotal role in driving innovation, securing competitive advantages, and fostering business growth. In this panel discussion, experts shared valuable insights into the world of IP, its significance, and successful strategies for IP commercialization.
Fernanda Whitaker began the conversation by emphasizing the growing recognition of the incredible value of a robust IP strategy among entrepreneurs, businesses, and even government entities. Governments at both federal and provincial levels are actively supporting innovation through IP strategies, with British Columbia's recently announced IP Strategy as a prime example.
Innovate BC is at the forefront of delivering these supports, collaborating with various partners, including the federal government, to accelerate the adoption of effective IP knowledge and capacity in the province. Connect with us to learn more about the IP support available.
Key Takeaways:
When discussing intellectual property, many people immediately think of patents. However, IP encompasses a wide range of assets, including trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and more. Understanding this broader scope is essential for crafting a comprehensive IP strategy.
Consider your business's current stage when developing your IP strategy. Early-stage startups might focus on securing funding, while more established companies may prioritize protecting their existing IP assets.
L to R: Candice Loring, Genome BC (Moderator); Sxwpilemaát Siyám (Chief Leanne Joe), Squamish Nation; Ryan St. Germaine, StGermaine Tech Labs; Carol Anne Hilton, Indigenomics Institute and the Global Centre of Indigenomics
In recent years, British Columbia has witnessed significant growth in First Nations and Indigenous-led projects, spanning various sectors like clean energy, water technologies, forestry, natural resources, and housing. This growth represents a profound shift in economic development and innovation, driven by the passion, commitment, and unique perspectives of Indigenous entrepreneurs and leaders. This panel featured a conversation among distinguished individuals who share their insights on the factors contributing to this remarkable growth and how Indigenous definitions of success and innovation differ from mainstream approaches.
The conversation highlighted the transformative power of Indigenous-led innovation and economic development in British Columbia. By embracing a holistic and community-centric approach, Indigenous entrepreneurs are reshaping traditional notions of success and innovation. As these ideas continue to gain prominence, there is much to be learned and embraced by all, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future for all living things.
Key Takeaways:
L to R: Andrew Hamilton, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority; Keri Phoenix, Vancouver Airport Authority; Jessica Yip, A&K Robotics; Nathan Nankivell, Innovate BC (Moderator)
This panel discussion highlighted the power of collaboration, proof of concepts, and local innovation in driving supply chain innovation. It was a lively discussion featuring experts from the Port of Vancouver and Vancouver Airport Authority, and a startup founder specializing in airport solutions. They shared insights into the port and airport environments, the complexities of innovation, and the barriers faced by startups entering this space.
Key Takeaways:
Oscar Malpica, Envisioning Labs & Rockburst Technologies
Six ventures took the stage to pitch their ground-breaking solutions to address complex challenges impacting our world today. From cutting-edge industrial innovations to sustainable solutions, this event showcased B.C. innovation at its finest.
Meet the Companies:
Meet the Investors:
The 2023 Ignite awardees and award presenters
The event closed with an awards ceremony where Innovate BC awarded $1.365M to five B.C. research and development projects in natural resources and applied sciences that are improving lives for British Columbians. Specifically, this year’s funding, through Innovate BC’s Ignite program, is accelerating the commercialization of clean technology, advanced materials and manufacturing, and life science projects.
The successful projects were selected based on their promising commercial and technical viability as well as their ability to be market ready within three years. To be considered, projects must also address an industry problem with the potential for significant benefit to British Columbia and be implemented by a group of academic and industry members.
Read the full press release about the winning Ignite projects.
Each year Innovate BC’s Ignite program selects research projects in the natural resources and applied sciences, awarding up to $300,000 per project. To date it has funded 46 projects for a total value of $12M.
It was an incredible day celebrating innovation and collaboration, nurturing future partnerships, and fostering conversations across sectors.
Congratulations to all the winners! And a huge thank you to our award presenters and all who attended.
Flip through photos from the event below. And become an Innovate BC Insider to be notified of upcoming events.