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Queen’s Partnerships and Innovation (QPI) is pleased to announce the award of four microgrants to their companies. Each of the $2500 ($5000 with matching funds) is meant to assist the companies complete project-based endeavours by February 2025.

“Examples of projects might include something like finalizing IP protections on a product where the costs associated would be toward lawyer or patent fees,” says Rick Boswell, Assistant Director, Programs and Operations with QPI. Day-to-day costs of running the business were ineligible for funding.

The grant funding awarded was provided by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario through the Scale Up Platform, delivered by Invest Ottawa.

“This was an extremely difficult task for our adjudicators to choose only four submissions to award the funding grant to,” says Rick. “The applications were each compelling cases for the funds and in the end our judges had to decide which companies would ultimately benefit the most.”

Fifteen applications were submitted to the competition, which closed on September 6, 2024 – one third of the total number of companies participating in the QPI chapter of the Scale UP Platform – and were assessed by seasoned experts in the technology and/or startup space.

The four companies chosen were:

- A spin-off from Queen’s researcher Dr. Christopher Mueller’s team, which has developed a solid tumour cancer detection test that provides real time response to chemotherapy and early detection of relapse.

- Developed from Professor Yongjun Lai’s lab, LenSense is developing novel contact lens and an AI-based app to provide a more accurate intraocular pressure reading and help in earlier diagnosis while also improving treatment efficacy for glaucoma patients.

– SDS Risk Assistant is a cloud-based software, available for desktop and mobile applications, for chemical safety and safety data sheet (SDS) management. The software is ideal for manufacturers, municipalities, hospitals, automotive shops, medical and dental clinics, laboratories, schools, and more.

- Using blockchain and web3 technologies, myLaminin delivers a more secure, controlled, and convenient research data-sharing to mitigate reputational risks, reduce operational inefficiencies, and lead to better grant funding results.

“We are looking forward to seeing how these companies successfully use the grant funding to develop their projects and take the next step in their investment readiness journey,” adds Rick.

As a partner to Invest Ottawa for the Scale Up Platform, Queen’s Partnerships and Innovation provides access to advisors, a network of peers, industry and academic experts, and workshops to assist high potential technology-based startups in the Kingston innovation ecosystem. To learn more about the program and resources available, contact us at qpi.info@queensu.ca.