Life Sciences BC (LSBC) is proud to announce the companies and mentors selected for its 2026 Investor Readiness Program (IRP), a six-month initiative that helps emerging British Columbian life sciences ventures attract investment and accelerate growth.

The IRP connects promising Small and Midsize Enterprises (SMEs) with established Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) who bring decades of experience in venture capital, commercialization, and executive leadership. Together, they work to advance each company’s investment strategies, refine business models, and strengthen access to capital.

“LSBC continues to be honoured to work with life sciences entrepreneurs readying their companies for investment. In its sixth year, LSBC’s Investor Readiness Program continues to attract diverse groups of SMEs and dedicated sector leaders, as Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, to form cohorts focussed on attracting capital and advancing our ecosystem’s pipeline of innovation,” said Wendy Hurlburt, President & CEO, Life Sciences BC.

The following company–mentor pairs have been selected for the 2026 cohort:

• 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, running from October to March, participants receive personalized coaching, strategic goal-setting guidance, and tailored education sessions. The experience culminates in a final pitch event where each company presents to investors and key members of B.C.’s life sciences community.

Applications for the 2027 Investor Readiness Program will open in spring 2026.

The Investor Readiness Program is supported in part by funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).

About Life Sciences BC

Life Sciences BC (LSBC) is a not-for-profit sector association dedicated to advancing British Columbia’s life sciences ecosystem through strategic initiatives at the local, national, and international levels. We drive economic growth in the province by providing leadership, fostering investment and partnerships, collaborating with government, and promoting B.C.’s world-class life sciences sector.

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