Sponsor
Ontario Genomics
Program
BioCreate Program - Fall 2022 Cohort
For More Information
Ontario Genomics BioCreate Program Website
Description
Ontario Genomics is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the BioCreate Program Fall 2022 Cohort. This program is open to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in southern Ontario seeking to commercialize genomics and engineering biology enabled products and/or technologies in the health, food and agriculture, and cleantech sectors at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4+. BioCreate will provide funding, access to mentorship and business support to enable companies to raise additional financing to achieve commercial outcomes.
The BioCreate program consists of three phases:
Phase I: BioCreate Investment – The BioCreate expert panel will evaluate market potential and technical feasibility of eligible applications, based on the evaluation criteria defined in the Program Guide. Successful applicants will receive up to $150,000 in non-repayable funding and must contribute $100,000 minimum to leverage the funding for their 18-month project. The application process consists of three stages:
- Expression of interest
- Invitation to submit application/submission of written application
- Pitch to BioCreate Expert Panel
Phase II: Intensive Business Mentorship – During the course of the funded project, the BioCreate program will support technology and business development to successful applicants through business mentors, patent expertise, regulatory support, and other support as defined by the needs of the company. Access to infrastructure can be facilitated through our program partners depending on company needs and location. OG’s strategic sectoral and regional partnerships include Velocity (Waterloo), Synapse Life Sciences Consortium (Hamilton), Toronto Metropolitan University SDZ (Toronto) and Cleantech Commons (Peterborough). SMEs will also work with one or more BioCreate partners and Ontario Genomics BioCreate team to develop a pitch deck to present at the Investor Showcase in Phase III.
Phase III: The Investor Showcase – After the successful completion of the 18-month program, teams will participate in an investor showcase where they will pitch to an audience of regional enablers and investors in efforts to receive follow-on investment.
Funded companies will have access to 18-months of intensive business mentorship and access to critical infrastructure provided by Ontario Genomics’ (OG’s) strategic sectoral and regional partnerships. Each cohort will conclude with an investor showcase, giving the companies an opportunity to pitch to investors and potential partners.
Eligibility
To be eligible for BioCreate, a proposal must conform to the following criteria:
- Applicants must be a Canadian or provincially incorporated business
- Project must be led by a SME located in southern Ontario
- Include use of genomics or engineering biology technology, or be genomics or engineering biology-enabled or enabling
- Conduct research and development starting at TRL 4+ and advance to TRL 7+ during the project
- Each project must be matched with $100,000 minimum in funding from the company. Cash and/or in-kind from the company or project partners can be used to match the funding
- The project must be performed in Ontario and awarded funds cannot flow outside of Ontario unless first approved by Ontario Genomics
- Funded projects must clearly articulate their plan to attract investment, create jobs and improve lives in southern Ontario in the near to long-term
- Project should be 18-months in duration
- Applicants must follow the application process outlined.
Funding Availability
BioCreate will support up to 32 high-potential companies over five years with seven total cohorts (rolling intake with funding decisions twice per year).
Maximum Project Value
The multi-phase BioCreate program will include direct, non-repayable funding of $150,000 that will be matched by an additional $100,000 (minimum) from participating companies to a total project size of $250,000 or more.
Project Duration
18-months
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
External Deadline | Deadline to submit intake form to be considered for Cohort 1- Interested SMEs to submit via the BioCreate intake form. |
How to Apply
The lead applicant for the project must be an SME located in southern Ontario. Interested SMEs should submit a BioCreate intake form at any time. A representative from the BioCreate team will reach out to you to discuss your project idea. Eligible applicants will be invited to submit an application (deadlines in Spring and Fall of each year).
Information For Co-applicants
Please note, Academic Researchers cannot serve as the lead applicant for this program. If you are a collaborator and need to meet a deadline set by an industry lead or Ontario Genomics, please ensure you provide the Office of Research with at least five days in advance to review the application, or your proposed component of the project. Please get in touch with the Office of Research (contact information below) ahead of the deadline if it looks like it will be difficult for you to submit all the required documentation on time (i.e. budget, proposal, OR-5 Form).
If the project is awarded, Ontario Genomics funds must flow to the industry lead. Funds flowing to an academic institution will require a Subaward Agreement with the industry lead at award stage. Please reach out to ORS at the contact below for more information.
Attachment(s)
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 BioCreate Program Guide | 1.24 MB |