The BioInnovation Hub: a partnership with the University of Victoria
In Summer 2022 the University of Victoria and Vancouver Island Life Sciences association embarked on a partnership that transforms the local life sciences community,
as it provides us a physical meeting space and coworking centre.
The BioInnovation Hub is an open, welcoming place for all those interested in life science and health innovation. It is a node in the
UVic Innovation Network, which
is an expanding initiative to bring potential collaborations with UVic off campus and into the community and industry. The Hub is also the headquarters of
Vancouver
Island Life Sciences association, and as such a gateway for health, medtech, and biopharma innovators, and a way to connect other industry and innovation groups, as
well as our sponsors, supporters, and mentors.
Where is this BioInnovation Hub you speak of?
The BioInnovation Hub is located at
Saanich Plaza, above Soccerworld. It is centrally located with easy access
from UVic, downtown, Westshore, airport, ferries, Peninsula, and up island as you come off the highway. The bike route links are superb at the Hub since it
is where the Galloping Goose and Lochside Trails converge near
this water station. We are also a short walk from
our friends at
Starfish Medical's headquarters and
Industrial Plankton's headquarters!
^ this is the upper floor, which some of our downstairs neighbours didn't even know existed!
^ this is the door at ground level you're looking for (there is another similar door on the other (south) side of the building next to the medical clinic)
^ by the time you see this door to our actual suite, You've Arrived!
What are the higher goals of the BioInnovation Hub?
The Hub is an expression of
shared purpose, combining the
constitutional purposes of VILS itself
(Talent Development, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship in Life Science Innovation, and Community and Communication) with
UVic's goals
with the innovation network, being to make a difference through community-based research and partnerships; provide space for researchers to
expand their community networks; connect research experts with business, government and community partners;
and support technology partnerships e.g. with connecting funding.
In practice the BioInnovation Hub is a place for anyone involved in or interested in life science innovation to feel at home and where their ideas are welcome.
How do I visit/tour the BioInnovation Hub?
Drop in at the Hub almost anytime! Since we're still settling in as of this writing in Sept 2022,
to be sure someone is in at the Hub at the time of your first visit, get in touch with
Sam Mercer of VILS (
sam@vils.ca or 250-eight eight four 7774), Shaeleen Mihalynuk, Site Manager,
at
bioinnovationhub@uvic.ca.
Becky Hof of CAMTEC
Biomedical Core, or
Jerome Etwaroo of Coast Capital Innovation Centre.
I am/my venture is an innovator in life science and need an office and/or peer support. How might I/we become a User of the BioInnovation Hub?
Users admitted to the BioInnovation Hub are granted shared desk and office space, boardroom use, etc, via an
electronic key and a certain number of bookable hours each month of hot-desk and boardroom time, as well as use of the kitchen,
and the ability to request the use of the space for events and evening and weekend activities.
If you want to use the hotdesk office space at the BioInnovation Hub, then simply apply as a User with one of the above folks listed under visits/tours! We will quickly
let you know if we
have capacity, though rest assured we can find a way to accommodate nearly all deserving life science innovator/entrepreneur applicants.
Who are some of the Hub's first Users?
We are proud to note these ventures as some of the first Users and tenants of the Hub:
How did you pull this off? I heard VILS was always shoestring budget?
We
are very lean and remain proudly so! The community could not have achieved this space without the vision and generosity of our landlord
Hansbraun Investments, a local and truly community-minded firm; and
with the massive and ongoing support of our partner
UVic. See
some fun pictures from the first launch event here and keep an eye out for the
many more events coming.
