BIONOVA – BIC Junior

BioNova’s BioInnovation Challenge Junior (BIC Junior) inspires Nova Scotia’s high school and first year post-secondary students to create a business idea for the Health and Life Sciences sector that has real commercialization potential. With the support and guidance of BioNova and Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia (JA Nova Scotia), students are given the knowledge and skills necessary to create their business idea and pitch it to a panel of judges during BioPort. For many participants, this will be greatly influential to mapping out their future career.

BIONOVA – BioInnovation Challenge

The BioInnovation Challenge is an Atlantic Canadian business competition to recognize significant commercialization potential in Health and Life Sciences. BioNova understands that, more than ever, a strong and vibrant economy in the province requires continuous innovation and the creation of new Nova Scotian Health and Life Sciences companies. Early stage companies evolve over time to become major employers in the community and encourage a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation – key ingredients for prosperity.

BIONOVA – Financial BioBusiness Accelerator Program (BAP)

BioNova’s BAP program is a suite of individual program initiatives that are assembled based on the present day needs of the local life science community. The program has an over-arching goal to move businesses down the commercialization pathway faster to get technologies and products to the market sooner. The suite of programs offered include: Investor Kit Program Photography Portfolio Project Investor Pitch Training Specific Consulting Engagements Business Development Assistance and Consulting Reimbursement Assessments

BIONOVA – International Bio-Partnering Program

This program provides financial assistance to further develop international business and/or research relationships for Atlantic Canadian Companies. It facilitates the creation of focused international business and research alliances for Atlantic Canadian life sciences companies and research organizations and is an opportunity to move existing international relationships into the next level of the collaborative process, and may include company recruitment, new product development, investment opportunities, in/out licensing agreements for intellectual property, R&D collaborations, and potential export opportunities. Eligible costs include travel-related costs of the business guests being invited to the region.

BIONOVA – Mission & Conference Assistance

BioNova participates in a select group of external conferences that are seen as pivotal events for the local industry. For these select, external events, BioNova partners with; local, national and international organizations to develop assistance programs for member companies, which may involve discounted registrations, speaking engagements, and travel and accommodation assistance.

BIONOVA – Technical Assistance Program (TAP)

TAP allows life sciences SMEs to apply for small project funding to engage technical expertise that is not available within their company. The technical expertise received is intended to allow the company to overcome an immediate challenge that is acting as a barrier to commercialization. This program provides direct financial assistance for approved projects that seek to resolve an issue that is hampering product development, and is critical to commercialization. Projects that will be considered include those that engage a subject matter expert to help with: science and / or engineering challenge experiment design prototype development advice other assistance of a technical nature that cannot be solved with in-house expertise

BIONOVA Boost

BioNova provides this workshop series to accelerate the innovation and productivity of Nova Scotia’s businesses while boosting the bioeconomy. The sessions bring together BioNova members, business professionals, industry representatives, students and other key stakeholders to offer:

Informational seminars to boost your chances of achieving your business goals, such as accessing new sources of funding and emerging business needs
Educational events to facilitate business development, such as Intellectual Property and Patent system changes, Marketing and Communications workshops to improve outreach and Talent Recruitment & Management training to enhance your workforce
Industry related workshops to address known challenges and emerging issues, such as regulatory changes within the FDA & Health Canada, CE Marking and reimbursement strategies

Black Business Initiative Financial Programs

The Black Business Initiative (BBI) promotes and assists in the development of Nova Scotia Black-owned businesses providing business development assistance. BBI provides financial assistance in the form of loans up to $25,000 and facilitates access to other financing. BBI also provides business training programs and opportunities.   Ownership must be 33% black and must be a registered proprietorship, partnerships or limited company. Participants must have a viable business plan, with two year cash flow projections, the ability to repay the loan and a suitable management strategy is required. Types of loans provided include Capital Equipment Acquisition, Working Capital, or Short-term receivable financing.

BMO Succession Planning

As a successful entrepreneur, simply running your business requires a significant amount of time and energy. At the same time, it’s worth the time investment to plan for the future – regardless of your vision for your business after you retire. Whether you wish to sell your business or pass on leadership of your company to someone else, through BMO Bank of Montreal, BMO Private Investment Counsel Inc. and BMO Trust Company, working with your legal advisor, we can assist you with the development of a business succession strategy that helps transition the management and ownership of your business according to your wishes.

Business Benefits Finder

The Benefits Finder is a tool that can help you find Benefits and Services that you may be eligible to receive. It asks a few questions and uses your answers to search. It does not collect or track your information. The more questions you answer, the more customized and accurate your results will be.