Five Vancouver Island tech firms progress in province-wide startup challenge

New Ventures BC announced the companies selected to advance in its 2022 competition, and five Vancouver Island-based businesses made the cut. Three are moving directly into the third round, while two ventures will pitch in an additional round, named 2.5, for their chance to advance to the third. Across the province, 42 companies in total are progressing to the next stage of the challenge out of an initial collection of 207 applicants.

These are the top 3 Vancouver Island companies in alphabetical order.

• Asset Market (Nanaimo)

• Nyoka Design Labs (Courtenay)

• VoxCell BioInnovation (Victoria)

These are the round 2.5 businesses. Their pitches will be heard on June 22, with the chance to join the companies in the third round.

• Breathe-Global Devices (Victoria)

• SLE Planner (Nanaimo)

Now in its 22nd year, B.C.’s largest and longest-running tech competition is known for identifying and propelling forward the province’s most promising startups. According to New Ventures BC, past winners have raised over $807 million in financing, generated upwards of $288 million in revenues, and have created over 5,400 jobs in British Columbia.

Over 150 of B.C.’s top business leaders volunteer as mentors and jurors. Since its inception, more than 1,500 entrepreneurs have participated in the program.