District Digest
June 24, 2020
Local Startups Recognized At 2020 Canie Awards
Halifax-based startups, SimplyCast and Bailly Cosmetics have been awarded in the 2020 Canie Awards, presented by the Ottawa-based Innovators and Entrepreneurs Association, and Startup Canada. The awards which focus on promoting the Canadian startup ecosystem celebrated six other winners from the East Coast. “It is incredible to see the resilience of entrepreneurs and innovators across the country during times like this,” said Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation Board Chair Kayla Isabelle
District Startups Make AquaHacking Challenge Top 5
The Atlantic Canadian version of the nine-month AquaHacking Challenge program has announced the top 5 final teams to compete for the grand prize of $50,000. Three of the five finalists chosen out of a group of 16 will be focusing on well water testing. The finalists are: Well Warriors, Water Innovators, ExTech MIP, Clean Catch Baits and What The Well.
Adaptiiv Wins First Health Challenge Series, Bags $100k
Last week, local MedTech company, Adaptiiv Medical Technologies won the first health challenge pitch competition focusing on cancer care and organized by Volta, Nova Scotia Health Authority, QEII Foundation, BioNova and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Their innovative turn-key solution which enables the design of patient-specific, radiation treatment accessories created via 3D printing won a $100,000 prize. The NSHA will also consider adopting their technology for use in regional hospitals.
Water is Life: Indigenous entrepreneurship opportunities in the ocean economy
Are you interested in learning and collaborating with the ocean community? Or are you looking to start your entrepreneurial journey? Join the Ocean Startup Project in partnership with the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) for the Ocean of Opportunities webinar at 12PM ADT on June 25.
b4 Launches Contactless Payments for Hotels
Local Software-as-a-Service solutions company, b4 has launched a contactless payments process to help the hospitality industry recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The solution allows property owners take online payments as an eCommerce transaction thus cutting costs on transaction fees and reducing the risk of fraud or chargebacks. “Contactless payments are an easy way to exercise safer hygiene standards following the COVID-19 pandemic,” said b4 CEO Saar Fabrikant
Volta Labs
Get Mentorship & Support with Volta
Volta is a Halifax-based innovation hub for startup technology product companies. Volta helps remove barriers faced by many startup companies by offering free legal, world-class mentorship, HR/recruiting, marketing and funding office hours, furnished office space, internet connection, and much more. Since 2013, Volta has supported more than 50 tech startups through their Residency program which have gone on to create over 300 jobs and raise over $50 million in equity financing.