Yesterday, Hamilton’s life science community gathered at McMaster Innovation Park to take part in the second annual Synapse Life Science Competition final showcase.
The showcase is the culmination of months of hard work. Back in January, the competition teamed up life science innovators with business and engineering students from McMaster University and together, each team produced both business and commercialization plans for their ventures. All of the finalists also participated in training sessions to help them complete the plans and fully prepare for the final event.
The event showcased ten teams: seven through poster presentations while the top three teams presented their innovations live on stage to a panel of industry experts, competing for over $35,000 in cash and professional resources. The top three finalists – Avertus, Blue Orchid and Sound Options – each had 20 minutes to impress the judges in hopes of scoring the top prize.
Sound Options was named the grand prize winner for their effective, affordable and convenient sound therapy for people suffering from tinnitus, a hearing condition that produces ringing in the ears. The company took home $15,000 cash, a $5,000 IP package, and a life science specific $5,000 consulting package from SHI Consulting.
Dr. Michael Chrostowski is the founder of Sound Options and says the awarded prizes will have a huge impact on his company: “Sound Options will be able to benefit from the prizing we received from this competition in so many ways in our immediate future; it couldn’t have been more timely. The Synapse competition and the supporting ecosystem are among many reasons why Hamilton is a great place to start a company. We look forward to continuing to grow and providing more tinnitus sufferers with an effective and customized sound therapy.”
Blue Orchid and Avertus both tied for second place, each receiving $1,500 cash and a $5,000 IP package courtesy of one of our legal partners Gowlings, Ridout & Maybee, and Sabeta IP, and ANDzyme took home the poster board prize of $500 cash and an introductory meeting and $1,000 consultation package from Willow Tree Capital.
Avertus has created a home based, wireless, brain monitoring and seizure warning system with active dry electrodes. Over 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy and assessment times for treatment can be lengthy. This is because patients often do not realize they are having a seizure, which can lead to brain damage over time or even death. Avertus has designed a comfortable, home-use technology, which would allow physicians to record brain waves (EEG) without requiring extensive, time-consuming and uncomfortable patient preparation.
Blue Orchid has developed the OrchidLift: a compact and portable sit-to-stand lift aimed to provide an affordable, simple solution to lift, transport and assist with patients’ mobility in their own home. Inaccurate handling and lifting of patients by caregivers can put both parties involved at high risk for further injuries. With the aging population, devices that allow the elderly to remain in their own home longer are becoming increasingly important.
iF’s Executive Director, David Carter, says the Synapse competition is a testament to Hamilton’s growing strength in the health and life sciences: “The innovations we saw yesterday have the potential to be life-changing. I’m thrilled that our region is paying attention to research coming out of the life sciences. Synapse has shown that Hamilton’s life science cluster is thriving and I’m confident we have the supports in place here to help take these ventures to the world stage.”
In addition to the top three pitches, the other finalists from the competition had poster boards on display showcasing their innovations. These included: 12 Squared Diagnostics, ANDzyme, Colourimetric Biosensing, DNA Quantifier, Qidni Labs, RotaNovus and Virtual Possibilities.
The event also featured keynote speaker Niall Wallace, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Infonaut Inc. Wallace discussed his own experience building Infonaut from a start-up, to the successful evidence-based infection control company it is today, and touched on pitching for investment, what investors look for, and pointers for growing Hamilton’s life science cluster.
Congratulations to our winners and all finalists who participated in the competition!
View photos from the showcase here or video coverage by Invest in Hamilton TV here.
Visit SynapseLifeScience.com to learn more!
Innovation Factory thanks our generous prize contributors that included Hamilton Health Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Mohawk College, Bay Area Health Trust, McMaster Innovation Park, Ridout & Maybee LLP, Gowlings LLP, Sabeta IP, SHI Consulting, Willow Tree Capital, and supporting partners that included McMaster Industry Liaison Office, Ontario Centres of Excellence, TechAlliance, W Booth School of Engineering, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, the City of Hamilton and St. Joseph’s Healthcare.
