InBC Investment is working with the University of British Columbia to launch a new fund aimed at accelerating the growth of innovative companies built on local research. The UBC Catalyst Ventures Fund, supported by $10M from InBC and $10M from UBC plus up to $20M in private funding, will invest in spinoff companies created from […]
UBC
UBC, SFU Garner Federal Support for Defence Innovation Projects
Canada recently invested nearly $50 million into eight BC-based projects designed to accelerate defence innovation and help local businesses integrate into domestic and international defence supply chains. The funding, through Pacific Economic Development Canada, will support the University of British Columbia and others British Columbia “has the talent, innovation, and expertise to help protect Canada,” […]
Genome BC and UBC Partner to Advance Biomining Tech in Canada
A new partnership positions British Columbia for growth in biomining, a process which uses microorganisms to extract valuable metals from ores, low-grade minerals, mine waste, and industrial residues. Supported by an investment of up to $1 million over three years, the strategic collaboration between Genome BC and the University of British Columbia’s Bradshaw Research Institute […]
Wood-Based ‘Foam’ Tech Developed by UBC Researchers Draws Federal Capital
An economic development entity based in British Columbia is commercializing sustainable building materials derived from forestry byproducts. The Yinka Dene Economic Development Limited Partnership, or YLP, is partnering with the University of British Columbia’s Department of Wood Science to scale a technology dubbed DicinFoam. The “foam” is actually a biodegradable, fire-retardant material made from ligno-cellulosic […]
Victoria Team Builds SAR Tool Powered by AI at Ocean Hackathon in France
This month, 10 national teams from around the world competed at the Ateliers des Capucins in Brest, France. The competition was the Grand Finale of the ninth annual Ocean Hackathon, organized by Campus Mondial de la Mer. The Ocean Hackathon brings together winning teams from local hackathon events held worldwide. These groups, including a Victoria-based […]
In the Battle Against Microplastics, UBC Taps ‘Magic of Chemistry’ for Solutions
How much plastic is in the air we breathe? How about the water we drink? These important questions are being researched at length by students and professors at the University of British Columbia through the Push Forward program. Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic debris that result from the breakdown of synthetic textiles and […]
Novel Therapeutics Innovator to Tackle ‘Silent Epidemic’ of Bed Sores in Canada
Lying or sitting in one position for too long can disrupt blood flow and even damage tissue. As a result, in hospitals and long-term care homes across Canada, people with limited mobility often develop pressure injuries known as bed sores. Such non-healing wounds—among the most common type of wound encountered in healthcare—are a “silent epidemic” […]
UBC Spinout Avivo Biomedical Reveals World-First Blood-Type Conversion
Several thousand Canadians are waiting for lifesaving organ transplants, but many donor organs go unused due to blood-type mismatch. Researchers recently transplanted a donor kidney after converting it from blood type A to the universal type O, removing a major barriers in organ donation: blood-type compatibility. The world-first transplant was conducted by Dr. Turun Song […]
Targeting Zero Waste, BC Place Taps ShareWares to Slash Single-Use Plastics
BC Place, home venue for the Vancouver Whitecaps and the BC Lions, announced this month that it is “rolling out several new food and beverage innovations,” including launching Canada’s first stadium-wide reusable cup program. All draft beer, wine, cocktails and mocktails are now being served in cups from ShareWares, shifting tens of thousands of cups […]
Genome BC Funds Research as UBC and SFU Study Impacts of Wildfire Smoke Exposure
Genome BC is funding three research projects oriented around genetic-level impacts of wildfire smoke exposure. The not-for-profit organization, which supports genomics innovation in British Columbia, says the projects aim to help vulnerable populations. Suzanne Gill, who serves Genome BC as chief executive officer, says the projects are “specifically designed to uncover what makes our vulnerable […]