The AI hardware startup leads a diverse group of winners who claimed over $250,000 in cash and prizes
VANCOUVER, BC — September 21, 2026 — Dream Photonics, a Vancouver-based startup using 3D-printed micro-lenses to automate microchip assembly, has been named the grand prize winner of the 2026 New Ventures BC Competition, presented by Innovate BC. In addition to securing the coveted $110,000 Innovate BC First Place Prize, the deeptech venture earns the honour of being British Columbia’s top early-stage tech startup for 2026.
Dream Photonics is solving the manufacturing bottleneck holding back next-generation microchips. The UBC spinout’s proprietary platform uses 3D-printed micro-lenses to connect optical components automatically, replacing slow, expensive manual assembly methods. By turning a painstaking precision process into high-speed printing, Dream Photonics enables chipmakers to build faster, cheaper hardware to power the global AI boom.
NanoTech Innovation, a cleantech startup providing a non-toxic, plant-based coating to protect industrial equipment and infrastructure from rust, captured the $60,000 Innovate BC Second Place Prize Package. Rounding out the top three, Ontoly earned the $35,000 Innovate BC Third Place Prize for its carbon accounting software that automatically turns commercial building energy savings into verified carbon credits.
Beyond the top podium finishes, four specialty prizes were presented across key sector categories:
- $10,000 Innovate BC Sustainability Prize: Ontoly
- $10,000 Innovate BC Life Sciences Prize: Radiant Fluidics
- $10,000 Innovate BC Woman-Led Venture Award: VEGAIN Nutrition
- Top Science-Based Company, presented by SFU VentureLabs: NanoTech Innovation
The 2026 edition of the competition saw 283 early-stage tech ventures from every corner of British Columbia step up to refine their business models and scale their technologies. Beyond the $250,000+ in cash and in-kind prizes, participating founders received intensive hands-on guidance and deep connections within the provincial tech community. Over the past 26 years, NVBC has accelerated thousands of startups, driving the creation of over 15,000 local jobs and attracting more than $3.4B in funding back into the province.
QUOTES
Angie Schick, Executive Director at New Ventures BC
“B.C. continues to prove that world-class, homegrown innovation can tackle challenges in virtually any industry. This year’s winners highlight the versatility of our tech community—delivering purpose-built solutions across cleantech, life sciences, and traditional sectors that will shape our economy for years to come.”
Peter Cowan, President & CEO at Innovate BC
“Building the next generation of successful B.C. companies starts with giving promising founders the right support early in their journey. Through this competition, entrepreneurs gain the mentorship, connections and opportunities they need to strengthen their businesses and prepare for growth. Congratulations to this year’s winners and all the participants — their ambition and ingenuity are helping build a stronger, more competitive economy in B.C.”
Adrian Dix, acting Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth
“British Columbia’s future prosperity depends on turning great ideas into growing companies that can compete globally. Through initiatives like the 2026 New Ventures BC Competition, we’re helping startups access the mentorship, connections and support they need to scale their innovations here at home and reach new markets around the world. As we strengthen our trade relationships and advance our Look West strategy, B.C. companies are well positioned to seize new opportunities helping create good jobs, attract investment and build a stronger, more resilient economy for people throughout British Columbia.”
Lukas Chrostowski, CEO & Co-Founder at Dream Photonics
“To come out on top against a finalist cohort this strong is a massive honour for our entire team. We started Dream Photonics to solve one of the biggest manufacturing bottlenecks in modern hardware, and winning first place gives us an incredible boost as we bring our technology to factory floors and expand our reach across global markets.”
For 26 years, New Ventures BC (NVBC) has been part of BC’s startup community, empowering early-stage tech companies with the tools, mentorship, and funding they need to succeed. As a non-profit, NVBC programs include the annual New Ventures BC Competition, Accelerator Programs, Capital Compass, IP Pathways and AccelerateIP — supporting thousands of founders as they launch and grow. To date, NVBC has helped launch some of BC’s top tech success stories, contributing to a thriving innovation ecosystem that has created thousands of jobs and attracted over $3.4 billion in investment.
Innovate BC helps turn bold ideas into real-world impact. As a Crown agency, we serve as a trusted advisor and partner for British Columbia’s innovation ecosystem. Our diverse programs and initiatives advance opportunities for made-in-B.C. innovations, giving companies, industries, and communities the resources they need to grow and prosper.
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