FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Five Atlantic Canadian early-stage startups join Volta Cohort program, 

receiving $25,000 investment, mentorship and resources 

HALIFAX, NS (November 24, 2021) – Five Atlantic Canadian early-stage technology startups will join the Fall 2021 intake of the year-long Volta Cohort program. The companies will each receive a $25,000 investment from a fund co-founded by Volta, BDC Capital and Innovacorp, along with mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, and resources to help grow their businesses. The program’s operations are supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

“Atlantic Canada is a region for innovation, entrepreneurial talent and big ideas – and the Volta Cohort Pitch Competitions continue to show that. The calibre of companies and the significant impact they will make on various industries and sectors is incredibly impressive. We’re thrilled to be supporting these Founders,” said Martha Casey, CEO at Volta. “Several Volta Cohort companies have achieved success on a national and international level, so we are excited to work with and support these Founders as they continue to advance and take their startups to the next stage.”

Companies were selected at the Volta Cohort Pitch Event – a virtual pitch competition held on November 24. Fourteen Atlantic Canadian startup Founders pitched their businesses to a panel of judges, including experts from the region’s tech and startup community, and representatives from ACOA, BDC, Innovacorp and Volta.

The companies selected to join the next Volta Cohort include:

·   Amp Health, Co-Founder, Mandy Woodland, (St. John’s, NL) – is on a mission to prevent 10 million people from developing chronic disease in the next 10 years. Their first product, Struggle app, uses unique behaviour change techniques and machine learning to help prevent diabetes in prediabetics. 

·   HOLLO Medical, CEO and Co-Founder, David Hodgson and COO Sara Fedullo, (Halifax, NS) – is developing the next generation of holding chambers for inhaler users.

·   MOC Biotechnologies Inc., CEO and CTO, Sayedali Mousavi, (Halifax, NS) – offers hybrid bioprinting technologies to clone hard and soft implants, scaffolds, tissues and organs to deliver world-class solutions for pharmaceutical companies, research centres, universities, laboratories and institutes.

·   Myomar Molecular Inc., President and CEO, Rafaela Andrade (Halifax, NS) – is developing a diagnostic tool to detect muscle loss. 

·   Parados, CEO, Pascal McCarthy, (Fredericton, NB) – provides members of high-performance athletics and military organizations with the tools needed to reach and maintain their cognitive potential.

Since the inception of the Volta Cohort program in 2017, Volta Cohort companies have raised more than $20 million in secured investments, and leveraged over $8 million in grant dollars received. Volta Cohort recipients are currently employing 175 full-time staff members and have earned a combined revenue of approximately $1.5 million year to date in 2021.

Visit voltaeffect.com/cohort to learn more.

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About Volta

Volta, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is the largest innovation hub east of Montreal. Focused on creating a space where members of the regional innovation ecosystem can work, connect and grow, Volta provides access to Co-Working Space, programming, mentorship, resources and events. Volta has been home to more than 100 startup companies through the Volta Residency Program. This program has created more than 300 jobs and raised a combined total of over $100-million in equity financing. Learn more at www.voltaeffect.com.

About the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency works to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, by working with diverse communities to develop and diversify local economies, and by championing the strengths of Atlantic Canada. Together, with Atlantic Canadians, ACOA is building a stronger economy. For more information, please visit www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca.

About BDC Capital

With more than $2-billion under management, BDC Capital is the investment arm of BDC,serving as a strategic partner to Canada’s most innovative and high potential firms. It offers a range of equity, venture capital and flexible growth and transition capital solutions to help Canadian entrepreneurs scale their businesses into global champions. To find out more, visit bdc.ca/capital.

About Innovacorp

Innovacorp is Nova Scotia’s early stage venture capital organization. It finds, funds and fosters innovative Nova Scotia startups that strive to change the world. The goal is to help those startups commercialize their technologies and succeed in the global marketplace. In addition to risk capital, Innovacorp gives entrepreneurs access to world-class incubation facilities, expert advice and other support to help accelerate their companies. More information at innovacorp.ca.

For more information contact:

Laura Sinclair

Senior Marketing Coordinator 

laura@voltaeffect.com

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