Edmonton Startup OligomicsTx Crowned Winner of Startup TNT Life Sciences Summit

The Life Sciences Investment Summit is a unique platform created in partnership between Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation and Startup TNT to empower innovative ideas, invest in life sciences discoveries and build a community of life sciences start-ups and investors.

Edmonton, AB–April 3, 2024–Startup TNT, a non-profit focused on capital access for startups, and Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API), a non-profit life sciences commercialization organization, have announced OligomicsTx as its 2024 Life Sciences Investment Summit winner.

OligomicsTx was chosen over five other finalists to secure the win, which includes over $175,000 in equity investment. The total includes commitments from Startup TNT’s syndicate of qualified angel investors and $50,000 from Startup TNT’s venture capital fund, TNT Capital. Two other finalists, Qualisure and PulmVita also secured deal commitments from participating investors. The other finalists were MACH32, Wave View Imaging and Difinity Solutions.

“We, at OligomicsTx, are truly grateful for the opportunity to work with Startup TNT and thrilled to be selected as the winner!” commented Dr. Toshi Yokota, co-founder and chief strategy officer at OligomicsTx, on the news. “It’s wonderful to have the support of our community through this collaborative process in terms of scientific and business diligence. As a company with several exciting preclinical assets to develop, the funding from Startup TNT will help us build the foundations of our business operations and facilitate work on the critical IP for our lead program. We thank everyone at Startup TNT and API, especially the investors, for their support and belief in OligomicsTx.”

OligomicsTx is in the early stages of developing advanced therapies that can effectively combat rare and hard-to-treat nervous system disorders.

“Once again, this year’s Startup TNT Life Sciences Summit, powered by API, showcased companies that are advancing health outcomes through pioneering research and biotech breakthroughs,” said Tim Lynn, co-founder of Startup TNT. “Congratulations to everyone, including the founders who took part, as well as the investors and partners who made this year’s program possible. It’s clear that innovation is alive and well across the Prairies.”

The Life Sciences Investment Summit, hosted by Startup TNT and powered by API, is a platform for life sciences entrepreneurs seeking seed-stage funding and investors interested in life sciences. Across three previous life sciences summits, Startup TNT has invested more than $1.4M into 10 different startups.

"At API, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive progress in the life sciences," said Andrew MacIsaac, CEO of API. "This partnership with Startup TNT is important, as it accelerates the life-changing research of ventures like OligomicsTX and other finalists. These companies embody the transformative potential of Canada's life sciences sector."

Over the past 5 years, API has grown to be one of Canada's leading not-for-profit organizations supporting the life sciences sector by helping researchers and innovators commercialize their ideas, incubating startups and spinoffs, and training students as part of real-world industry teams. Since its founding, API has supported over 75 companies, including more than 50 SMEs, scale-ups, and spinoffs incubated.

Startup TNT also facilitates a cleantech and agri-food investment summit. Following the completion of these 2024 Sector Summits, Startup TNT has now raised over $13 million in seed-stage capital for 90+ companies across Western Canada.

Summit IX Applications Open

Startup TNT is now accepting applications for its Spring Summit IX which aims to raise $1M for Prairie-based startups across all industry verticals. Four unique Summit streams will be held for startup companies located in Edmonton (Northern Alberta), Calgary (Southern Alberta), Saskatchewan (Provincial), and Manitoba (Provincial). The deadline for companies to apply is April 15, 2024. The investor kick-off is April 24, 2024. Learn more at startuptnt.com/summit-ix 

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Media contact:
William Johnson
Startup TNT
will@startuptnt.com
604.619.4163

About Startup TNT

Startup TNT is the most active pre-seed and seed stage investor in Western Canada (CVCA, 2023). We are a community of entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, innovators, and startup supporters that gather every week to have fun, share stories, and build great companies. With 90+ investments into companies that are 40% women-led and 25% BIPOC-led, we have one of the most diverse portfolios in the country. Co-investors on TNT deals include Panache Ventures, Hustle Fund, BDC Capital, Y Combinator and Thin Air Labs. TNT Capital, our $5M fund, invests in companies across Western Canada through our Investment Summits. Learn more at StartupTNT.com.

About API

API is one of Canada's largest not-for-profit life sciences commercialization organizations, dedicated to enhancing quality of life (sciences). As an industry-funded not-for-profit, API provides end-to-end support to life sciences researchers, businesses, and innovators on their journey from idea to commercialization. With scientific leadership from Nobel Laureate Sir Michael Houghton, API provides strategic capacity and access to facilities and experts that help life sciences projects reach the market. With a commitment to sharing expertise, resources, and infrastructure, API aims to build an unparalleled life sciences sector driving prosperity for all. Learn more at: https://appliedpharma.ca/about