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Welcome to this week’s Sunday Digest, brought to you by Tiny. In this issue, read about the sole Victoria firm in the New Ventures BC top 11, and learn about UVic’s new bioinnovation hub. Have a great day. We’ll see you again on Thursday.

VoxCell BioInnovation is in the New Ventures BC Competition top 11

The New Ventures BC Competition is a fixture of the province’s tech community. Starting in 2000, it has a nice synchronicity with the calendar as it enters its 22nd iteration.

Yet, even as a young adult, New Ventures BC is still experiencing some firsts. For the only time in that over-two-decade history, there was a tie. The finalists in the competition make up an odd-numbered top 11 as a result. One of those 11 is Victoria’s own VoxCell BioInnovation.

VoxCell creates 3D-printed, human-like tissues for drug testing, reducing the need for animal and human experimentation and bringing lifesaving therapies to market quicker.

Discover how the startup has already gained an impressive string of accolades, grants, and recognition, in this week’s feature story. Start reading

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📰 More Victoria innovation news

🧬 Life sciences central: The University of Victoria in partnership with Vancouver Island Life Sciences opened the doors of its new BioInnovation Hub. Based in Saanich, it’s meant to be a collaborative workspace where entrepreneurs and life sciences organizations can connect with UVic researchers, access equipment and tools, share resources, showcase new technologies, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the life sciences community to help accelerate growth in the region and provide a welcoming space for innovators and entrepreneurs to test new ideas,” said Lisa Kalynchuk, UVic’s vice-president of research and innovation, in a statement. “The goal is to bring UVic expertise and resources into the communities we serve and open up new pathways for collaboration.”

🚗 Uber again: “Uber has been operating in Canada for 10 years in over 140 municipalities. It’s time that residents in Victoria and Kelowna have the same access to this safe, reliable and affordable transportation option.” That’s the message from Uber Canada to regulators as the ride-hailing company attempts to set up shop for the second time in the province’s capital and other regions.

Last December, the company’s first application for a license was rejected. The Passenger Transportation Board, which made the ruling, feared its proposed expansion would harm existing transportation service providers. So, what’s different now? This time, the company is requesting a license transfer from another rideshare company, not a new license.

Here’s how columnist Rob Shaw describes the new situation via Twitter: “When Uber applied for new licenses, the PTB weighed the public need. But in applying for a licence transfer, there is no such criteria. The PTB only needs to determine if Uber is a fit company (which is already has b/c it runs in Metro Vancouver).” Stay tuned.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Executive Director at Centre for Ocean Sustainable Technologies (COAST)

• Business Development Representative at Vinn Automotive Technologies

• Software Developer, C++ at Safe Software

Hiring in Victoria? Reply to this email and let us know! 

📅 Upcoming events

September 7:  Stem for Social Impact

September 8:  Cognito Presents: Health Tech Nights

October 12:  Acetech Mix + Mingle

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