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New Ventures BC Announces Winners of 2017 BCIC-New Ventures Competition - Ecoation Innovative Solutions Takes Home Top Prize
Thursday, September 28, 2017Company Profile | Follow Company
Vancouver, BC, September 28, 2017--(T-Net)--BC Innovation Council (BCIC) and the non-profit New Ventures BC Society announced today the winners of the 2017 BCIC-New Ventures Competition.
North Vancouver's Ecoation Innovative Solutions was named as overall winner of the $110,000+ BCIC First Prize package following an in-person pitch to a panel of judges made up of entrepreneurs and investors last night.
Ecoation Innovative Solutions has developed a platform that predicts the type, location and level of crop stress using plant signals, and communicates this information to growers via smartphone or computer. This reduces crop loss as well as the need for pesticide use.
This team also won the BC Resource Industry Prize package valued at $22,000.
“The NVBC competition was a great experience for us. The mentorship and critical feedback that we received were instrumental for our success and we will take these lessons beyond the competition. We are going to change the way we produce and protect our food, and tonight is [the beginning of] something big,” commented Saber Miresmailli, CEO and Founder of Ecoation Innovative Solutions Inc.
Microbiome Insights, which provides clients with a deeper understanding of functions and interactions of microbial communities, took home second prize, worth over $60,000, as well the Center for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) Life Sciences prize worth $10,000 in in-kind services.
Slickspaces, a software system that allows for remote entry into a short-term rental or AirBnb property, has won the $35,000 prize package from BCIC as well as the $25,000 Plug and Play Tech Centre prize.
Other winners include:
“I would like to congratulate all of this year's competition winners and recognize Ecoation Innovation Solutions in particular for taking first place with its crop stress detection platform,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs Trade and Technology. “The award recipients represent some of B.C.'s best and brightest innovators and I look forward to seeing how they will contribute to our tech sector and economy as they continue to grow.”
“It's incredibly exciting for us to fuel the next wave of BC innovation that will drive our local economy and change the world,” said Carl Anderson, President & CEO of the BC Innovation Council. “This year's winners are a great example of the incredible talent, ingenuity, and innovation this province has to offer.”
About New Ventures BC
New Ventures BC is passionate about helping early stage tech companies grow their businesses. Now in its 16th year, the BCIC-New Ventures Competition is the largest and longest-running tech competition in British Columbia, and continually highlights up-and-coming provincial technology startups.
During the competition process, startups benefit from mentorship, guidance, and support from angel investors and noted local entrepreneurs.
Our competition's alumni have often been recognized as fast-growing BC companies on track for significant venture capital investment or acquisition. We have supported more than 2,000 entrepreneurs, and has been a strong contributor to BC's tech economy. To date, alumni companies have generated 3,300 jobs and raised more than $300-million in financing.
Thinking about joining next year? The competition typically runs from April - September. Check our website in March 2017 for details on how to register your early stage venture.
History of the BCIC-New Ventures Competition
The BCIC-New Ventures competition was founded in 2000 under the direction of Wal van Lierop as a means of recognizing and encouraging entrepreneurship in B.C.'s technology sector.
The first board included representation from both public and private organizations, and many of the founding organizations and key individuals from the original group have provided continuous support to the competition.
Today, the non-profit New Ventures BC Society administers and operates the competition with generous support from the public and private sectors, including title partner BCIC.
Photo Credit: Award winner photos courtesy of New Ventures BC
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