IGNITE Northern tenants win $75,000 in Spark Innovation Challenge
STELLARTON — Two tenants from Ignite Labs Inc. (IGNITE) have won a collective total of $75,000 in the Spark Innovation Challenge. This challenge is focused on supporting startups in rural communities across Nova Scotia who are doing amazing things but aren’t always noticed.
Green Oil Solutions, a sustainable innovation company based in Pictou County, won third place and a $35,000 prize in the Northern region for their filtration technology that separates oil and water for use on commercial fishing vessels.
Cultivated Eco Systems, a zero-waste Ag-tech company based in Pictou County, won second place and a $40,000 prize in the Northern region for their soil probiotic that stabilizes hostile soil conditions to increase crop yields and plant growth.
“At Cultivated Eco Systems, we are proud to be a woman-run, zero-waste, Ag-tech company based in rural Pictou County,” said Angie VanKessel, co-founder of Cultivated Eco Systems. “Teaming up with IGNITE and now being Spark winners has really helped us on our mission to bring our product across Canada and eventually, the world.”
Almost a third of all shortlisted finalists in Nova Scotia were IGNITE tenants. IGNITE describes itself as Nova Scotia’s rural innovation hub. The company helps entrepreneurs by providing mentorship and opportunities for them to create and grow.
“By supporting these startups, IGNITE hopes to create a culture of innovation where we can help grow vibrant industries in rural Nova Scotia,” said IGNITE President and CEO Doug Jones