Innovate BC Allocates $1.5 Million to Enhance Clean Technology and Life Sciences Research

On November 28, 2024, Innovate BC announced a remarkable decision to provide a total of $1.5 million in funding to support five research and development projects based in British Columbia. The funding is part of the Ignite program, which aims to promote innovative solutions that can tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced by various industries.

Innovative Solutions in Key Areas

The funded projects are set to make significant strides in various fields, including healthcare accessibility, emissions reduction in the mining sector, and other initiatives that will enhance job creation and industry competitiveness throughout British Columbia.

Supporting the Local Economy

Peter Cowan, the President and CEO of Innovate BC, expressed pride in the Ignite program and its crucial role in advancing the commercial success of high-tech solutions born from collaborations between industry and academic institutions. Cowan noted that these innovations not only seek to address critical issues within the province but also bolster productivity and drive growth across vital sectors.

Funding Breakdown

Each project receiving funding will get up to $300,000, with awards based on their ability to present viable and market-ready solutions within three years. All the selected projects were chosen for their potential to significantly benefit British Columbia and for being developed by collaborative teams comprising both academic and industry experts.

• Clean Technology: Ideon Technologies, in partnership with Dr. Shaun Barker from the University of British Columbia, plans to utilize cosmic-ray muon tomography to enhance mineral mapping and extraction for energy transition minerals. Awarded: $300,000
• Food Technology: The Peqish Group, Food and Hospitality Inc., and Anubhav Pratap-Singh from the University of British Columbia will develop dietary fiber-based fat replacements to provide healthier food options. Awarded: $300,000
• Clean Technology: Rockburst Technologies Inc. and Dr. Bern Klein from UBC are working on leveraging CO₂ to replace heavy machinery traditionally used for mineral extraction, aiming to reduce emissions significantly. Awarded: $300,000
• Clean Technology: Viridis Research Inc. collaborates with Neil Branda from Simon Fraser University to create a water treatment technology that removes harmful pollutants from textile wastewater. Awarded: $300,000
• Life Sciences: Geno10X Biosciences Ltd. and Gene Bio Medical are partnering with researchers from Simon Fraser University to develop a rapid diagnostic platform for HPV using advanced AI algorithms. Awarded: $300,000

Investing in the Future

Since its launch in 2016, the Ignite program has allocated a total of $13.5 million to fund 53 innovative projects aimed at addressing major industry challenges. Previous recipients of this program have included pioneering firms such as VoxCell BioInnovation Inc. and Terramera Inc., who are making significant contributions to high-impact sectors. The Ignite Program is supported by the Natural Resources and Applied Sciences Endowment Fund, designed to enhance the quality of life in B.C. through research and development, technology transfer, and commercialization.

Quotes from Innovators

Looking ahead, project leaders have shared their enthusiasm for the opportunities this funding presents:

“The Ignite funding propels our goal of translating research into practical healthcare solutions,” said Michael Adachi from Geno10X Biosciences Ltd.

“Innovate BC's funding will help us tackle the global water crisis with scalable solutions,” stated Dr. Macarena Cataldo-Hernandez From Viridis Research Inc.

Oscar Malpica of Rockburst Technologies emphasized the potential to significantly reduce global energy consumption through their innovative CO₂ Pulverization technology.

These voices highlight the collaborative ethos of the projects, reflecting a commitment to driving meaningful changes that will benefit the local economy and environment.

innovation, healthcare, environment, technology, economy