Life Sciences BC has revealed the companies and mentors selected for its 2026 Investor Readiness Program (IRP), a six-month initiative designed to help emerging life sciences ventures in British Columbia attract investment, refine their business strategies, and accelerate growth. Now in its sixth year, the IRP continues to be a cornerstone of LSBC’s efforts to strengthen the province’s life sciences ecosystem and support the development of innovative ventures poised for market impact.
The Investor Readiness Program is structured to connect promising small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) with Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs), experienced professionals who bring decades of expertise in venture capital, commercialization, and executive leadership. Together, these pairings focus on advancing each company’s investment strategy, refining business models, and improving access to capital, ensuring participants are well-prepared for investor engagement and long-term growth.
“Life Sciences BC continues to be honoured to work with life sciences entrepreneurs readying their companies for investment,” said Wendy Hurlburt, President & CEO of LSBC. “In its sixth year, our Investor Readiness Program continues to attract diverse groups of SMEs and dedicated sector leaders, who, as Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, form focused cohorts aimed at attracting capital and advancing our ecosystem’s pipeline of innovation.”
The 2026 IRP cohort brings together a dynamic mix of early-stage life sciences ventures and seasoned mentors:
- Ascender Bioscience Inc. paired with Lu Han, Partner, Lumira Ventures
- Autochart.ai Health Assistant paired with Jason Robertson, Co-Founder and CEO, Nimbus Synergies Inc.
- eSense Health Inc. paired with Brenda Irwin, Managing Partner, Relentless Venture Fund
- FibroDynamx paired with Allison Gaw, Principal, Amplitude Ventures
- Garde Bioscience paired with Anne Stevens, VP of Business Development, AbCellera
- Lab 915 Technologies Inc. paired with Norma Sebestyen, Life Sciences Executive
- MindfulGarden Digital Health, Inc. paired with Geof Auchinleck, CEO, Claris Healthcare
- Omni Biotech Innovations Ltd. paired with Nancy Harrison, Venture Partner, Amplitude Ventures
- Osmin Health paired with Malcolm Kendall, Founding Partner, CDG Ventures
- Resolve Nanotherapeutics paired with Sam Mercer, CEO, Samuel Mercer Consulting
Throughout the program, which runs from October to March, participants receive personalized coaching, strategic goal-setting guidance, and tailored educational sessions. These sessions cover a range of critical topics, including investor communications, business model optimization, regulatory considerations, and capital-raising strategies. The program culminates in a final pitch event, where each company presents to a panel of investors and key stakeholders from British Columbia’s life sciences community, offering participants a valuable platform to showcase their innovations and attract funding.
The Investor Readiness Program has been instrumental in strengthening the commercialization capabilities of BC-based life sciences companies, helping them navigate challenges in fundraising, business development, and strategic planning. By pairing SMEs with experienced EIRs, the program ensures that companies receive actionable advice grounded in real-world industry experience, bridging the gap between early-stage innovation and market success.
Applications for the 2027 Investor Readiness Program are scheduled to open in spring 2026, providing another opportunity for emerging companies to gain guidance, mentorship, and exposure to investors.
The IRP is supported in part by funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), reflecting a shared commitment to supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth in Canada’s life sciences sector.
By providing mentorship, structured education, and access to investors, the program helps position British Columbia’s life sciences companies to succeed in a competitive global market. LSBC continues to play a leading role in nurturing the next generation of life sciences innovators, ensuring that Canada remains at the forefront of scientific discovery and commercialization.
With a focus on building investor-ready companies, fostering mentorship, and accelerating commercialization, the IRP exemplifies how public-private collaboration can effectively strengthen regional innovation ecosystems and create pathways for high-impact science to reach patients and markets.
