December 20, 2018
Attracting early-stage capital for technology commercialization is a key challenge for small and medium enterprises in Western Canada. It’s a gap Genome BC has historically worked to address through the funding of technology development platforms and specific programs aimed at the translation of technology into commercialization. As well, our support of third party entrepreneurial acceleration programs and our own Industry Innovation (I2) Program have played an important part in advancing innovative companies in BC.
Also recognizing this need, Western Economic Diversification Canada made a significant investment to address the gap in private sector funding, helping to drive commercial success and economic growth in Western Canada.
Through the Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative, the Government of Canada announced in November an investment of close to $20M to help 17 innovative BC businesses get their products to market faster. It is estimated that 300 jobs will be created through this initiative.
We congratulate all the companies receiving funding through WINN, with a special acknowledgment to three companies Genome BC has been honoured to support through our programs:
- Precision Nanosystems ― received $1M to develop and commercialize the next generation of instruments to manufacture nanomedicines.
- Acuva Technologies ― received $2.1M for commercializing UV-LED drinking water purification systems
- Aspect Biosystems ― received $2.7M for commercializing an innovative 3D bioprinting platform