3:30 - Paige: We started working with our first investors this year, so instead of doing as much as we could with very little funding, we're now really able to develop the bioluminescent system that we're using for our fully non-toxic, biodegradable light wand. We have a lab we're working out of, are developing different colours, making them brighter and longer lasting. We'll be launching a bright yellow colour in the new year.

6:20 - Paige: The lumi is a reusable, rechargeable glowstick alternative that lights up after charging it in the sunshine.

7:05 - Paige: Selling the lumi on their online store. Have some distribution talks as well. 

8:05 - Paige: The original idea was to make a glow stick that was fully non-toxic and biodegradable. 

8:45 - Paige: All next year will be really dedicated towards testing the product with customers and getting feedback and doing further product development. Part of that is to set up case and pilot studies with different industries we're interested in. So we're setting up a search and rescue pilot study.

9:30 - Paige: The first key use of the light wand in the marine industry is for safety. They're often attached to life jackets. The second key use is as a fishing lure.There are certain types of fish that are attracted to light under water and will swim towards it. Larger fish and sea animals like dolphins and whales have proven to be deterred by the light so using these lights is also a really efficient way to mitigate by-catch. 

16:00 - Paige: That is something I would say to anyone who is starting out in business or looking to become a founder - that prototype, having that prototype in hand made all the difference. Then people could see and believe in and rally around the product. And some of the media from that and the proof that it was possible. Our team came together because of some of the media that came at that time. 

21:15 - Paige: Getting our first investors has been incredible, we've been working with this firm called Indie Bio and they've been amazing. They invest in biotech companies. They've changed the level of company that we are. Looking at those long legal documents is scary and you feel the pressure and the weight of those expectations. Sometimes leveling up can bring down your confidence because you're now operating on a new level but you are probably doing a good job if you're leveling up and if good things keep happening. In terms of good things happening there have been lots. Someone from Nasa's jet propulsion lab got in touch with us and wanted to try out the bioluminescent formula we've been working in one of their experiments and I almost fell over. They are one of the biggest applied science organizations in the world. When things like that happen, the unexpected things that land on our doorstep, that's when I'm reminded that what we do could really impact a lot of people.  

24:00 - Paige: The Canadian federal government creating legislation that limits the use of single-use plastics really is significant in terms of supporting up and coming companies that are trying to make new and more sustainable products. Bands like these are really important to pushing the needle so that more sustainable products can become the norm. We've looked into what it would take to get single-use glowsticks banned and basically what we've seen across the board is that for an item to be considered up for being banned there needs to be a demonstrated, widely available, commercially viable alternative. So we aren't there just yet but we're working towards that. The price, as we move forward, will be competitive with conventional glowsticks and as that happens, applying for a ban is definitely on our radar. 

26:00 - Paige: One of the issues we've had is finding manufacturers who will work with these new biodegradable materials, and so if plastic items really are being banned then industries will have to shift towards working with some of these materials that are more sustainable. So seeing governments take strong and impactful moves to ban things is so needed.

27:00 - Paige: I know that one of the core challenges in the environmental movement is the balance of individual responsibility and systemic/government responsibility. So I see things like bans as being an amazing reminder that they are being pushed forward by individuals. There was such a melancholy wave of, you know, sure, we're banning plastic bags but what does that really do. But honestly, it's one step at a time and I just really respect everyone who worked on that because it does take collective and concerted work to make these kinds of changes happen.

28:30 - Paige: In the next 6 months we're fully launching our light wand for the first time ever and it's been such a labour of love, years and years in the making, and then on the business development side we'll be working on our seed round. Starting in mid-October I'll be focused on starting our seed round.