Up to $300,000 for B.C. innovation projects in natural resources and applied sciences
May 01 2024 - 11:00AM
Applications are now open for Innovate BC’s Ignite program, which
awards up to $300,000 to fund B.C.-based research and development
projects that are creating game-changing innovations in the areas
of natural resources, engineering and applied sciences.
The funding is awarded to teams composed of academia and
industry who come together to solve a significant challenge that
British Columbians face. Previous winning projects have ranged from
cleantech, energy, mining, forestry, agriculture, and beyond. The
Ignite program supports the Province’s Stronger BC Economic Plan by
providing local businesses with the support needed to add value to
industries, create new jobs and growth throughout B.C.’s
economy.
“Through Ignite, partnerships between companies and academic
researchers will grow, leading to new solutions that will improve
the quality of life for British Columbians, while strengthening
B.C.’s diverse economy,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs,
Economic Development, and Innovation. “B.C. has been following our
Industrial Blueprint and taking action to drive new investment,
create new jobs and seize new opportunities in growing clean energy
and sustainable industries.”
Since the program started in 2016, 41 projects have been funded
by a combined $10.7 million, and have garnered more than $239
million in follow-on investments and awards. To date, 21 projects
have been completed and more than 288 academic and industry jobs
have been created or maintained through this program.
“Our province is home to a robust community of innovators,
researchers, and developing talent who are working to realize
changemaking ideas that drive progress and create positive impact
for British Columbians, addressing key issues like climate change
and sustainable operations,” said Peter Cowan, President + CEO of
Innovate BC. “The Ignite program provides critical
funding to high potential projects that can help nurture those
pioneering ideas into transformative solutions that redefine our
future.”
Last year, Dr. Karolina Valente of VoxCell BioInnovation Inc.
and Dr. Alexandre Brolo of the University of Victoria were awarded
$300,000 for their life sciences and advanced health project. They
are collaborating to develop fully vascularized, human-like cancer
tissue models by combining a custom high-resolution 3D bioprinter,
advanced vascularized software, and proprietary bioinks to
accelerate the development of life-saving anti-cancer drugs and
decrease the current 95% drug failure rate.
Other notable former winning projects include Flash Forest and
the University of British Columbia’s drone technology – which
plants trees at ten times the normal rate while significantly
increasing accuracy, safety, and cost savings in the reforestation
industry – and Browns Bay Packing Company Ltd. and the University
of Northern British Columbia who are formulating a renewable and
fully biodegradable packaging solution to replace traditional
plastics.
Innovate BC is thrilled to support the commercialization of
novel innovations through Ignite. Learn more about past winners
here.
Applications are open until July 8, 2024 at 11:59 PM PDT. Learn
more and apply here.
Want to know how to make your application stand
out? Join us for an info session on May
23. Register now.
Media Kit
- Ignite program video
- Photos from 2023 Ignite Awards
About Ignite
Launched in 2016, Ignite provides funding to accelerate
commercialization of new technologies and innovations in the
natural resources and applied sciences in B.C. Awards are up to
$300,000 to B.C. industry and academic partnerships that are
conducting research and development projects with the intent to
commercialize. Past winners include fast-growing B.C. companies
such as Aspect Biosystems, Terramera, Axine Water Technologies, and
Performance Biofilaments.
About Innovate BC
A Crown Agency of British Columbia, Innovate BC works to foster
innovation across the province and bolster the growth of the local
economy through delivering a wide range of programs that help
companies start and scale, access talent and encourage technology
development, commercialization, and adoption. Innovate BC also
harnesses crucial data collection and research, and works to forge
strategic industry and community partnerships that create more
opportunities for B.C. innovators.
- Up to $300,000 for B.C. innovation projects in natural
resources and applied sciences
Innovate BC
marketing@innovatebc.ca