Victoria-based Shift Technologies this month awarded its 2026 Shift Impact Grant Recipient to PhyCo Technologies. Shift, which last year launched a completely customizable browsing experience, awarded its second annual $25,000 Impact Grant to PhyCo, a marine biotech company turning seaweed into a home-compostable, earth-digestible plastic alternative. Founded in 2022 by marine biologist Ranah Chavoshi and biotechnologist […]
PhyCo Technologies
University Startups Take Climate Stage at Web Summit Vancouver
Six university-linked startups took the stage at Web Summit Vancouver today as the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University teamed up to showcase the next generation of climate and agritech ventures. Held at the Climate Innovation Zone, the University Power Pitches featured five-minute presentations from emerging companies working on problems ranging from plastic […]
Spring Spotlights Impact Ventures Ahead Of Web Summit
As Vancouver prepares to host Web Summit, Spring is shining a light on a group of B.C. startups it says deserve attention on the global stage. The Vancouver-based ecosystem organization, which trains and connects impact founders and investors, has named four B.C.-based companies to its latest “Impact Ventures to Watch” list, highlighting startups tackling urgent […]
Open Waters Wins Inaugural Beaver’s Den Pitch Event with Solar Innovation
The inaugural Beaver’s Den was a highlight of this year’s Vancouver Starup Week. The event, a Canadian riff on the popular Dragons’ Den franchise, invited pre-series A companies for a chance to win cash and exposure at VSW. Hosted by Funded in Vancouver at Science World, the affair saw nearly 100 companies apply. Twenty-five startups […]
Six Startups Start Second Cohort of Blue Action Accelerator for Ocean Innovation
Six startups are joining Blue Action Canada’s second cohort. The Blue Action Canada Accelerator, powered by Blue Action alongside Victoria’s COAST and the Founders Factory, has expanded internationally for the first time. The second cohort features four Canadian startups (including two based in British Columbia) plus two from the United Kingdom. “Blue Action Canada was […]
NorthX Invests $2M in BC Climate Startups
NorthX Climate Tech used its Converge 2025 conference this week to announce $2 million in new funding aimed at speeding up the growth of British Columbia’s climate-tech sector. The announcement, delivered by CEO Sarah Goodman during opening remarks, includes $500,000 in seed capital for five BC university-linked ventures: Carbonyx, Cura Climate, Green Manganese, Narval Energy, […]
Impact Challenge Awards Voxcell BioInnovation with Investment Toward Anti-Cancer Tech
VoxCell BioInnovation is creating vascularized, human-like cancer tissue models by combining a custom high-resolution 3D bioprinter, advanced software, and proprietary bio-inks. The New Ventures BC Competition finalist aims to accelerate the development of life-saving anti-cancer drugs by providing tissue models that can identify viable candidates earlier in the drug-development pipeline. Toward this tremendous goal will go […]
8 BC Startups Selected for National Ocean Startup Challenge
The Ocean Startup Project has selected 30 idea and early stage ocean technology startups for the Ocean Startup Challenge. Up to $700,000 will be distributed to the winners, plus additional program benefits such as mentorship, networking, events, and workshops. “It is invigorating and exciting to review such cutting-edge ideas from new, early stage ocean technology […]
15 BC Startups Shortlisted for National Ocean Startup Challenge
The Ocean Startup Project has selected 60 idea and early stage ocean technology startups for the shortlist of the Ocean Startup Challenge. Up to $750,000 will be distributed to the winners, plus additional program benefits such as mentorship, networking, events, and workshops. “It is invigorating and exciting to review such cutting-edge ideas from new, early […]
BC Companies Take Top Prizes in First-Ever Ocean Idea Challenge
Four early-stage ocean technology startups have won the first-ever Ocean Idea Challenge. The challenge was hosted the Ocean Startup Project, national organization working to make Canada one of the best places in the world to start and grow an ocean venture. “The high-calibre ocean ideas and founder talent this competition drew out from across the […]