AirZone, of Kelowna, was a finalist in the first New Ventures competition in 2001. While they didn’t win that year, they’re still around and doing well. AirZone manufacturers tents with pneumatic inflatable poles. This makes them easier to set up, in “less than 12 seconds” with an air compressor, bike pump, or CO2 cartridge. They’re also very durable and suitable for extreme weather where traditional tents would fail.

After competing in New Ventures BC, AirZone received good coverage from the likes of Popular Science, Wired, and Western Living magazines, to name a few. They have also expanded the technology to other uses, included a Golfnet practice tent, and other construction and entertainment tents. They have also established a UK office.

After some quiet months, Basil Peters (presenter at Seminar #7) has posted new content to AngelBlog, his resource on “Best Practices for Angel Investors and Entreprenuers”. The new posts cover raising funding from friends and family, and why early exits are a good thing. Based on Basil’s 10+ years of experience as a fund manager, AngelBlog contains a wealth of information for entreprenuers, all relevant to doing business in British Columbia and Canada. A must read for NVBC entrepruenuers.

Congratulations to the companies that made the cut. All participants have been notified by email. Remember that only 30 companies will make it past round 2.

1. CellMap
2. Web-based Global marketplace with dynamic multi-language support
3. Lerna
4. TeraTek Inc.
5. Oprius
6. Modifiable Shoes
7. MealMax.com by BeyondMax Technologies Inc.
8. word of mouth marketing project ltd.
9. Bhubble.com
10. Powering Adventure Travel online: with excellent profit projections
11. Floatek Innovation Inc.
12. Open News Network (Opennn™)
13. StartLabs Research Corporation
14. Smart Nuts Technology
15. Sustainable Easy Computing for Anyone
16. CloudTel
17. dScrybe Personal Financial Assistant
18. Absolute Technologies
19. Tourist Cellphone Rental: Handy Mobile Technologies
20. Ultimate Gift Card (UGC)
21. OnGuard Enterprises - PwerLoc
22. Solar Desalination
23. Red Dot Campaign
24. Thermo Matrix (computerize distribution and managemnet of heat and cooling)
25. In-line Water System Power Generation
26. 3rdwhale
27. fundfindr Media
28. Tecagora Solutions - Photo Sharing Solution
29. Singular Software
30. Scalable Analytics
31. ReThink Diabetes Inc.
32. Raeyco Lab Equipment Systems Management Ltd.
33. Electric Muscle Car Company Ltd.
34. Battery-Free Wireless GPS Security System for Shipping Containers
35. PairCoach
36. Global Cultures Inc.
37. PneuVation Medical Inc
38. AC Global Systems
39. Kreofusion Inc.
40. Mytripjournal.com
41. Transit Alert
42. Wall Share
43. Vvvroom.com
44. SailMeter
45. Project Opus Technologies
46. eCET - electronic Cognitive Enhancement Technologies
47. Taglocity
48. Crowdtrust Technologies
49. DreamBank
50. MYLIFESPRINT.COM
51. “Rain Renewer” Storm Water Pollution Remover
52. Driving School Administration & Scheduling
53. PLASMID AUTOMATED ROBOTICS
54. Replacement Lamps for Streetlighting / Outdoor Lighting
55. Clarity Accounting: Online Accounting Software for Businesses and Professionals
56. Prosthesis product
57. Essential Motorcycle Services
58. Anti-theft alarm system for bicycles
59. Garbage, Waste, recycle transfer system
60. PeerFX
61. Lets Go for Dinner
62. World Rally Sport Media, Inc.
63. RallyAd Media Inc.
64. Inseyed Putters Ltd
65. Omega 3 & 6 EFA extraction and Biodiesel production
66. GR Building Materials Limited
67. Heavy Tool Support Arm
68. 200 MPG 2 Person Commuter Vehicle
69. Trinity Healthy Living Products Inc. [FluSTOP Herbal Antiviral]
70. PerfectMIND
71. TheIndieFilmScene.com
72. Simplified multidimensional liquid chromatographic solution
73. Recon Instruments Inc.
74. Room 88
75. aPhoneTracker
76. Tech Ambassadors - providing technology access to mature adults
77. Sherman Log
78. Wireless Communities
79. Milliondishes
80. Collingwood Carbon Solutions (John Turner, Jacek Gorwa, Andrew Flostrand, Khosrow Mossannen)
81. Megbro Enterprises Ltd. - Biomass recylcing and reuse - total waste reduction
82. Peragro Media Inc.
83. AdHack Media Inc. (AdHack)
84. TorchLight Bioresources
85. mQ
86. Charge It! Payment Solutions Inc.
87. Source the Globe
88. Woopd
89. Modopost Inc.
90. E-Port Systems, Inc.
91. EKEM Power Inc.
92. Health Media Marketing, Ltd.
93. Notionlab Software Inc
94. PacCard
95. Open Box Integration Inc
96. Amotrolex Technologies Corp.
97. RF Therapuetics Inc.
98. Universal Discussion Forum, codename “Wukii”
99. Roadstead Technlogies Inc. home of the Road Runner driveway oil mat!
100. Udutu Teach & Learn
101. Hi=Def Digital Video Solutions for Security and 3D Video Creation
102. Pure Lignin Environmental Technology Ltd.
103. Navigate Media, Inc.
104. I the group
105. Total heath pat
106. Kommonwealth semantic web builder
107. PoGo
108. Indel Therapeutics Inc.
109. Progressive Health Innovations Inc.
110. ForumTrak
111. BookingCalendar.com
112. Kimiatech Specialties Inc.
113. Crown Skis Ltd.
114. PerformanceObjects Inc.
115. Duo
116. goodboog Global Virtual Catalog Inc.
117. Brilliant Lighting Products Inc.
118. Pensito
119. Personalized Genomics
120. The Painters Edge
121. Filmryder Technology
122. Protagonize
123. The Modern Mirror Inc.
124. Brand2hand Media Inc.
125. Volo Innovations Inc
126. CPlates Inc.
127. The Chronicles of Aveon
128. Amadeus Decision Making Software
129. Rezgo - Internet Tour Booking
130. Sharing Books
131. RCOTECH WASTEWATER SOLUTIONS inc.
132. Razor Technology Inc.
133. FireTonic mobile content distribution platform
134. reducing GHG by reducing excessive use of vehicles and gradually reducing speed of cars chased by police to full stop
135. End-user application software creator/cloner (software tool)
136. DailySplice
137. 100Watt Solutions Ltd.
138. Prospero Media Group Ltd.
139. Vanport Ecologies Inc. - VASH-ACCESS Model; Vanport Artificial Soils, Hydrogen and Advanced Carbon and Clean Energy Storage System
140. StrataXL Software Inc.
141. Ubiquitous Discussion Forum
142. Zebra Logic Inc.
143. Vsiant
144. custom pipeline Welding Tractor with unique track suspension system
145. Clean electric power generating system
146. PeerMint - Online Peer to Peer Lending
147. ClicVue
148. QCDocs Systems Inc.
149. Map Manager
150. Greendex
151. Greenhouse Gas Management Business Solutions
152. Echoflex Solutions Inc.
153. Cooling Device for HTS Industries
154. Wireless Image
155. Beetlecrete Products
156. MyOlive Small Business Portal
157. UniversitySolutions
158. PAC RES GRU - Pacific Research Group
159. Small Energy Group
160. iSociety Networks Inc.
161. Etalim Inc.
162. BAIT-CAR.COM PRODUCTS
163. Genist Systems Inc.
164. Chakra Cola
165. Primisyn
166. Portable Logging Trailer Attachment and Clean Energy Engine
167. Innisoft - Intellegent Investment Software
168. Destinations Multimedia
169. SoundOfMotion
170. PortaReader
171. Online English Education
172. ALTEN Energy Solutions Inc.
173. CB Williams Bio-Energy Group - has a Disruptive Clean Energy Catalyst Technology
174. Transphat Imports
175. Mechanized Shrinkage Jumbo
176. Twicebright Lighting Ltd.

The press release came out on April 1, but it’s no joke: the New Ventures BC competition has raised the stakes thanks to a new title sponsor, the British Columbia Innovation Council. BCIC’s Proof-of-Concept awards add $200,000 in award money, bringing the total to $335,000.

The prize breakdown is as follows:

BC Hydro First Prize: $60,000 in cash and services PLUS
BC Innovation Council Proof-of-Concept Award: $100,000

Enbridge Second prize: $38,000 in cash and services PLUS
BC Innovation Council Proof-of-Concept Award: $50,000

Third prize: $17,000 in cash and services PLUS
BC Innovation Council Proof-of-Concept Award: $50,000

BC Hydro Sustainability Prize: $20,000 cash

There’s still time to enter the competition; the deadline is April 23, 2008. Any BC resident who hasn’t received more than $500k in outside funding for their idea is eligible. You can either register online or call 604-725-5740.

The seminar series starts tonight and is open to both contest competitors and the public. It takes place at 6:30pm at the SFU Segal Graduate School of Business, 500 Granville Street. There will also be an online video stream viewable to anyone. Following seminars will happen weekly, each Wednesday evening.