Spark Cape Breton Winners Named in Startup Challenge

A new software analytics company in Sydney is receiving $50,000 in funding and business guidance through Innovacorp’s Spark Innovation Challenge. The business, Talem Health Analytics, is one of five winners selected in the Spark Cape Breton region of the province.

Talem Health Analytics co-founders, Paul Travis and Matthew Kay, are developing software to help physiotherapists and orthopedic specialists track, analyze and predict treatment regimens. Their software will analyze patient data and predict treatment timeframes, helping to standardize financial expenditures in private-sector insurance.

“With the Spark funding we will be able to bring our prototype to commercialization,” said Mr. Travis. “We have the team, technology and innovation to make this a success and we’re excited to get started.”

The challenge expanded across the province this year, with winners in each of the four competition regions receiving up to $50,000 in funding and mentorship from seasoned business professionals. The four regions were Spark West, Spark North, Spark Halifax and Spark Cape Breton.

The first provincewide Spark Innovation Challenge attracted 136 submissions. Eleven finalists in the Spark Cape Breton region pitched their ideas to a panel of judges. Finalists also participated in several business workshops and were mentored by seasoned business professionals.

The other winners in the Spark Cape Breton region are:

• Campaign EA, a municipal election campaign management software company founded by Todd Graham of Sydney, $50,000
• EasyGolfTour.com, a golf tournament management platform company founded by Kevin Chant and Todd Chant of Sydney, $50,000
• GoGo Groceries (now renamed Full Plate), a personalized grocery shopping and delivery service company founded by Jay McNeil of Glace Bay, $25,000
• Hydrotroniks, a carbon neutral boat engine company founded by Scott Aucoin, Stephane Sogne and Joel Lefort of Cheticamp, $25,000

Winners must use the prize money to build prototypes or take new products and services to market.

Innovacorp and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency each contributed $400,000 towards this year’s Spark Challenge.

“Spark is a great program that’s helping new technology companies across Nova Scotia get started,” said Geoff MacLellan, Minister of Business and Minister responsible for Innovacorp. “The winners of this year’s challenge will build stronger products and create jobs for other Nova Scotians, particularly young Nova Scotians.”

“Congratulations to all of the finalists in the first ever provincewide Spark competition,” said Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA. “This competition has been an excellent showcase of talented entrepreneurs from across Nova Scotia whose spark of innovative ideas have real potential to be commercialized and grown into thriving businesses. I look forward to seeing how the winners advance their ventures and bring their ideas to fruition.”

For the full list of winners, visit www.innovacorp.ca/news/spark-winners-2017.