CALLING ALL INNOVATORS: WHAT’S YOUR BRIGHT IDEA?
Tech competition now open for NexStream 2.0 applications
Campbell River’s tech competition, NexStream 2.0, launches Oct. 1 – with innovators pitching their ideas for up to $300,000 in prizes.
The second annual international competition is now accepting applications in four categories inspired by our coastal region. Challenges are: health and emergency preparedness, food security and sustainable resources. In addition, there is a wildcard category.
“Whether it involves gears, gigabytes or a combination of both, organizers are again looking for inventive applications of technology in all its forms,” says Rose Klukas, the City’s economic development officer. “After a very successful inaugural year, the City is once again partnering with the Campbell River Area Angel Group for NexStream 2.0.”
New this year: suggest a challenge. Is there a particular problem that you would like innovators to tackle for NexStream 2.0? Submit your suggestions at nexstream.is/community-engagement.
“We were very pleased with the quality and quantity of entrants in NexStream 1.0 and the finalists represented the spectrum of innovation, from clean energy to novel uses of seafood-processing byproducts. We are excited to announce NexStream 2.0 alongside the City of Campbell River and look forward to equally innovative solutions to global challenges in this round,” says Dana Kammersgard, angel investor and co-founder of the Campbell River Area Angel Group (CRAAG).
“On behalf of Council and our entire community, we extend immense thanks to the Campbell River Angel Group for their commitment to the partnership, mentorship and investment that makes this competition possible,” says Mayor Andy Adams. “The NexStream Tech Competition is proof that big things happen when people collaborate – and Campbell River is seeing increased investment interest and economic diversification as a result of this international competition.”
NexStream is open to individuals, academic institutions and businesses with fewer than 100 employees; innovators from around the world are encouraged to apply. Teams can enter more than one category, and the competition and categories may have more than one winning team.
Submit your expression of interest at nexstream.is before 11:59 p.m. PDT on Oct. 31, 2020.
More information about how to participate in the NexStream Tech Competition can be found online at nexstream.is/participate and nexstream.is/faq. A virtual question and answer session will be held on Oct. 8. Details will be posted online at nexstream.is/events closer to the date.
NexStream 2.0 winners will be announced in September 2021.
About the NexStream Tech Competition
The NexStream Tech Competition was founded in 2019 by the City of Campbell River Economic Development and CRAAG. Based in Campbell River, B.C., this global competition aims to cultivate creative solutions to challenges faced by the region’s industries, with a focus on clean, sustainable technology. These challenges are relevant to industries worldwide. Challenge categories vary each year.
Winners of the first NexStream Tech Competition have already received commitments of investment funding with a combined value of more than $600,000.00.
For more information about the challenges, visit nexstream.is/current-challenges.