Sona wins Startup Canada Innovation Award
Halifax, NS – 11th June 2019 – Dartmouth-based life sciences company Sona Nanotech Inc. has been named the Startup Canada Innovation Award winner for the Atlantic Canada region.
The company, which produces microscopic gold nanorods for diagnostic tests and medical applications, won the prestigious award at a ceremony in Fredericton tonight.
The sixth annual Startup Canada Awards aims to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievement in Canada’s entrepreneurship and innovation community.
Sona Nanotech CEO Darren Rowles said: “We are honoured to win this prestigious award, which caps off an incredible twelve months for Sona Nanotech in which we’ve listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange, moved into our new laboratory space and signed several high-profile collaboration agreements with companies across the world. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every member of our fantastic team, from the lab to the office and beyond. We would like to thank Startup Canada and award sponsor Intuit Quickbooks for this honour.”
“Congratulations to all our 2019 Startup Canada winners,” said Anastasia Valentine, Chief Executive Director of Startup Canada. “We are honoured to recognize vibrant entrepreneurs and disruptors across Canada. Each recipient is highly contributing to build our nation’s economy and to strengthen the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. It makes me proud to celebrate the talent and achievements of every one of our winners. Thank you for being community builders, and role models for future generations.”
Regional winners will now be evaluated by the National Adjudication Committee; comprised of some of Canada’s leading entrepreneurship and industry experts. The national winners will be announced and celebrated at the Startup Canada Awards Grand Finale in Toronto in October 2019.
For more information, and to schedule media interviews, please contact:
Darren Evans
Head of Communications, Sona Nanotech Inc.
+44 (0)7967 707160
Rachelle DeSorcy
Media Relations, Startup Canada
819-664-8701
rachelle.desorcy@startupcan.ca
About the Startup Canada Awards
The Startup Canada Awards can be likened to the Oscars for the Canadian entrepreneurship community. The awards celebrate and recognize individuals, communities, and institutions that demonstrate innovation, excellence, outstanding achievement, and impact in advancing entrepreneurship in Canada:
- Celebrate those working to advance entrepreneurship in Canada;
- Increase awareness of the importance of strengthening Canada’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and culture; and,
- Incentivize efforts and elevate the ambitions of the Canadian entrepreneurial and innovation community.
For more information, visit www.startupaward.ca.
About Sona Nanotech Inc.
Sona Nanotech Inc. is a life sciences company that produces microscopic gold nanorods for use in lateral flow diagnostics and medical applications. Sona’s gold nanorods are unique because they are made without a toxic chemical called CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide), which makes them safe for use inside the human body. Sona Nanotech is based at the Innovacorp Technology Innovation Centre in Dartmouth, where it emplys five full time staff. Sona is a publicly listed company on the Canadian Securities Exchange existing under the laws of Nova Scotia, with its operations in Nova Scotia.
For more information, visit www.sonanano.com
About Startup Canada
Startup Canada is the national rallying community and voice for Canada’s 2.3 million entrepreneurs. Since launching in 2012, Startup Canada has grown to represent more than 200,000 entrepreneurs and 50 grassroots communities from coast to coast to coast. Through digital programs and flagship events, Startup Canada is the network promoting, inspiring, educating, connecting and giving a voice to Canada’s entrepreneurs; supporting them to start, operate and scale businesses that build a better Canada for the world today and for future generations. For more information, visit www.startupcan.ca.
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