HALIFAX, NS (April 26, 2021) – Fifteen early stage technology startups based in Atlantic Canada have been selected to pitch their business ideas during the virtual Volta Cohort Pitch Event on Wednesday, May 19.

Volta Cohort Pitch Event serves as the kick-off to up to five companies being selected to receive mentorship, resources and $25,000 in investment as part of the year-long Volta Cohort program. Since Volta Cohort began in 2017, thirty-four startups have been selected for the program, which continues to demonstrate its impact on the regional startup ecosystem, and the regional economy. It is estimated that in this quarter alone, Volta Cohort Program companies have raised over $10 million in major VC financing, and created approximately 120 full-time jobs.

With the ongoing success of Volta Cohort, BDC Capital, Innovacorp and Volta, have expanded the fund to allow for follow-up investment. Up to five high-growth companies, selected from previous Volta Cohort winners, will have the opportunity to secure $25,000 in additional investment, provided they remain in the program for six months and meet specific Program milestones. This potential $50,000 in total investments for select Cohort companies, results in increased jobs and economic contributions. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) will continue to support the day-to-day operations of the program.

“At Volta, we’re incredibly excited to see the impact of Volta Cohort on early stage startups. The results of this initiative are truly being felt across Atlantic Canada; Cohort alumni companies have raised significant VC financing rounds, participated in global accelerators, like Tech Stars and Mass Challenge, and created jobs in the region”, says Martha Casey, Volta’s CEO. “We’ll continue to work with our partners ACOA, BDC Capital and Innovacorp to offer the Cohort Program as well as support the growth and development of the Cohort companies.”

The fifteen finalists include: 

• Air Clarity Solutions: Air Clarity Solutions is developing an innovative air filtration system. 
• Altever Solutions Inc.: Altever Solutions Inc. product AutoWIKI is an application that utilises voice technology to provide unique local narrations to tourists and travellers, based on their geolocation.
• Avisens: Highly sensitive sensor for vital health sign monitoring. 
• Clean Valley Bio-Filtration Technologies CIC: A Research and Development company commercializing Algae-based filtration.
• Dear Life: Dear Life is a new way for you to capture and share the story of a loved one’s life so that their legacy can live on for generations to come. 
• Drastic Scholastic Thermoplastic: Drastic Scholastic Thermoplastic (DST) is a waste management company that remanufactures plastic waste into consumer and industrial products via our semi-industrial shredder, decontamination, injection, and extrusion machines.
• Food For Thought Software Solutions : Food For Thought Software Solutions helps Canadian children access nutritious food through food initiative programs while reducing the stigma around food insecurity.
• Glade Software Inc.: With Glade your web audience can comment directly on your content.
• KAYR for Communities Inc.: KAYR is a technology platform that uses gamification to encourage and reward students to get involved in school life, inside & outside the classroom.
• Moodie Labs: Moodie is a platform for you to connect therapists with their clients.
• myFlock: Our platform digitizes complex paper based animal compliance programs while automating data collection and providing real-time, actionable intelligence to poultry farmers. 
• PLAEX Building Systems Inc.: With the PLAEX composite material we are able to process a wide range of difficult to recycle thermal plastic waste, that is then turned into a super durable, long lasting, fully interlocking building system that can be used and reused in a wide range of low rise construction applications.
• Pressto: Pressto helps to develop media literacy, critical thinking & strong writing skills in young people by making journalism easy, simple and accessible for students of all ages.
• Tribe Network: A digital platform where Black, Indigenous and People of Colour come to accelerate ideas, build communities and access opportunities. 
• V-Arm: Upper Limb Rehabilitation using virtual reality and myoelectric sensors.

This event marks the eighth intake of the Volta Cohort program since 2017. Volta Cohort was created to address gaps in resources and early stage investment available to technology startups in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The collaboration between Volta, ACOA, BDC Capital, and Innovacorp ensures startup Founders in Atlantic Canada have the full scope of resources, and supporters committed to their success.

The Volta Cohort Pitch Competition will be taking place virtually on Wednesday, May 19 at 5:30pm. Members of the public are invited to watch for free, and can register to attend via Eventbrite. More information on the Volta Cohort Program, and the Volta Cohort Pitch Event, can be found at www.voltaeffect.com/cohort.

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About Volta Cohort and Volta Cohort Pitch Event

Volta Cohort runs twice a year, with a panel of industry professionals selecting the finalists. Winners of the Cohort Pitch Event are then thoroughly vetted, and accepted into the Cohort Program. Successful companies are provided space at Volta, access to a board of industry-leading mentors from Volta’s Resident and Alumni companies (supports are arranged with partner organizations for successful companies operating outside of Halifax).

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, creating 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:
Meghan Cadue, Senior Manager, Marketing + Programming
meghan.cadue@voltaeffect.com, 902.702.0194 ext.115

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