BECOME AN INVESTOR
Take an active role in the future of progress. BioCreate companies are high-potential biotech SMEs vetted by a panel of external experts in business, science, tech and company creation.
WHAT WE OFFER
BioCreate has only been around since 2023, but this accelerator program has established a reputation of excellence due to our meticulous standards.
Funded by Ontario Genomics (OG) and the Government of Canada via the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), this five-year, $11.6-million project gives financial support, business and technical guidance to start-ups to help move the province’s biotechnology scene forward in a big way.
The main goal is to create jobs and boost the economy by getting game-changing innovations in the cleantech, food and agriculture and health sectors scaled up and put into real world use as soon as possible. We know time and risk are the enemy and that’s why we offer $150,000 in funding and 18-months of business mentorship to only the most promising SMEs.
We also love to connect our companies with potential investors throughout their time in BioCreate and upon graduation. That’s where you come in!
Trust the Process
Along with the built-in reassurance of a government-funded program where demonstrated results are a must, the BioCreate team has a stellar line-up of investors and business experts from multiple sectors to do a thorough assessment of all the companies who apply to the program and it’s their shrewd expertise that determines who gets into the program.
But that doesn’t happen until applicants get through two rounds of assessments. When we put a call out for applicants in each cohort (selected every fall), an initial filter from the BioCreate team involves follow up to make sure the companies meet the basic program criteria. We want to know they have a solution to a problem, not a solution in search of a problem. Then we call on deep tech and business consultants to review the suitable applications to prevent bias and offer additional expertise.
The next step involves companies submitting an in-depth application that we go over with a fine tooth comb to make sure these start-ups have
a viable business idea, are using sound science and have the financial stability required - at least $100,000 cash or in-kind services.
Once we have the candidates shortlisted, they present to the BioCreate team and a panel of discerning experts and investors from Canada and the U.S. in the health, food and agriculture, cleantech, science, technical and business sectors. The questions the companies get are direct, insightful and meant to find out if they are capable of delivering the important advancements they’re promising.
Our standards are rigorous and only companies vetted by our panel of business, technical and investor experts are welcomed into the program. From that point on, we require all the companies to file regular reporting to ensure they’re on track with their projections and goals. This also helps the BioCreate team adjust our mentorship offerings to best support the SMEs during their time in the program to reach their full potential.
Why invest in BioCreate?
According to BIOTECanada, the bioeconomy is an $87 billion industry spanning the country and has created over one million jobs. But biotech companies also need $1.5 billion in investments every year to keep the innovation creation going. Based on the number of applicants BioCreate receives, the demand is high.
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Spring 2023: 47 companies applied – 8 were chosen
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Fall 2023: 50 companies applied – 4 were chosen
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Spring 2024: 37 companies applied – 4 were chosen
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Winter 2025: 64 companies applied – 8 were chosen
Ontario Genomics has over 330 projects which demonstrates there is immense talent in this province. But brain drain is real, and the country has been losing visionaries at a time when the “bio revolution” is just getting underway. Ontario is loaded with the knowledge and expertise needed to make Canada a major player on the world stage. These companies just need the right amount of support to reach next-level status.
We’re Bringing Results
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The need for this kind of support to Ontario’s biotech businesses is great:
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2023: 97 companies applied – 12 were chosen
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2024: 101 companies applied – 12 were chosen
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Since the program started in 2023, BioCreate companies have:
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Created/maintained 46 jobs
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Raised $30 million in funding
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Have sales and revenue of $8.8 million
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As of 2025, 11 of the 24 companies accepted into the program have women in CEO, co-founder and other leadership positions
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The 24 companies include 2 cleantech, 11 health and 11 food and agriculture SMEs
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Southern and Eastern Ontario are well represented by the BioCreate companies:
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Guelph/Kitchener: 3 companies (Ceragen, Escarpment Labs, Scispot)
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Halton Region: 3 companies (Afynia, Index Biosystems, Kraken Sense)
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Kingston: 3 companies (Performance Plants, Spectra Plasmonics, mDetect)
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Ottawa: 1 company (Virica)
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Toronto: 14 companies (Biofect, Genecis, Liven Proteins, QurCan, Aux Labs, Genuine Taste, Ardra, Epiloid, Inteligex, Materia Bioworks, Material Futures, Mediphage, Noa Therapeutics, ProteinQure)
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WHERE WE THRIVE
