And the winners of “…Canada’s largest business plan competitionâ€? are:
1st Place
Divisio Technologies, Inc. – Dalhousie University
Divisio Technologies, Inc. was founded in 2006 by Ashley Blackman, Reagan J. Davidson, Sydney Davidson, and R. Tayze MacKenzie. This company exploits novel chemical compounds known as “catalysts” designed and developed by Dr. Mark Stradiotto in order to provide a chiral switching service (separating the ‘good’ from the ‘bad’) to drug companies currently manufacturing drug mixtures. Separating these drugs results in a safe alternative that not only has reduced side effects, but also meets the FDA’s strict new standards, increases the drug’s effectiveness, and most importantly extends the patent life. The strong management team at Divisio includes scientists with specialties of chemistry, neuroscience, and pharmacy working alongside accomplished entrepreneurs. In addition, the team is supported by a highly qualified board of directors bringing many years of industry experience.
2nd Place
NeoSpectra Technologies – Simon Fraser University
NeoSpectra Technologies Inc. is headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. and is a promising start-up in the child safety field. NeoSpectra’s initial launch product is the ChromaTap, an innovative faucet add-on device which will help prevent children from suffering burns in the home. It does so by lighting the stream of water different intensities of red for hot, or blue for cold, depending on water temperature. The ChromaTap aims to be safe, easy to use and install, and affordable, and the NeoSpectra team are confident that children and adults alike will enjoy this product and its safety benefits.
3rd Place
Effiventa Corporation – University of Manitoba
Effiventa Corporation is a drug delivery company specializing in nanotechnology. Effiventa’s flagship technology is NutraleaseTM, a drug delivery technology used to improve the solubility – the ability of a substance to dissolve – and the bioavailability – the amount of a compound absorbed given the volume ingested – of drugs within the body. These improvements add commercial and clinical value to pharmaceutical companies through product differentiation, reduced side effects, increased safety, convenience, and consumer compliance. It also helps overcome insolubility and toxicity problems, leading to shortened development times, saving time and money.
The press release can be found at: http://www.bdc.ca/en/about/mediaroom/news_releases/2007/20070305.htm?cookie%5Ftest=1
Helen Kula sources and delivers market data and intelligence to entrepreneurs, high-growth companies and MaRS staff and advisors. She is an active member of Toronto’s information professional and librarian communities.
