Innovacorp’s Spark Innovation Challenge Open for Submissions

Innovacorp’s Spark Innovation Challenge is Open for Submissions! Heads up Nova Scotia start-ups! Spark is back for another year. Spark is a province-wide competition for early stage technology companies. It is funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Innovacorp. Spark is held in four geographic regions covering all of Nova Scotia. The regions are:

• Spark West - entrants must be based in western Nova Scotia (i.e., Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby, Annapolis, Kings and Hants counties)
• Spark North - entrants must be based in northern Nova Scotia (i.e., Guysborough, Antigonish, Pictou, Colchester and Cumberland counties)
• Spark Cape Breton - entrants must be based in Cape Breton (i.e., Inverness, Richmond, Victoria and Cape Breton counties)
• Spark Halifax - entrants must be based in Halifax county

Innovacorp is especially interested in start-ups from the information technology, life sciences, clean technology and ocean technology sectors. However, we welcome submissions for any innovation with market potential. The four Spark competitions will run simultaneously. Each region will operate independently, with its own applicant pool, judging committee and award funding of $175,000. Spark winners will receive up to $50,000 to put their ideas into action, as well as access to guidance from seasoned business professionals. This initiative will enhance innovation and entrepreneurship in the region, while helping to build the community ecosystem. Entrants must be a start-up based in one of the four competition regions. They must have a new knowledge-based product or service with zero sales revenue since inception. Funds awarded will be used to support the completion of prototypes or preparation for taking the product or service to market. Entering is easy. Simply submit a 5-8 page business summary by Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at 11:59 pm ADT. The competition is now open for submissions! For competition details and the summary template, visit www.innovacorp.ca/spark. We would love you to share this opportunity with your network. Questions can be directed to Nick Punjabi, Program Coordinator, Innovacorp, at 902.424.8670 ext. 1602, 1.800.565.7051 ext. 1602, or spark@innovacorp.ca.