Natural Products Canada (NPC) is supporting $4.3M in commercialization activities for seven Canadian companies. The companies, which are developing innovative solutions to address soil health and food production, food security and food waste, and human and animal health, are the successful applicant to NPC’s highly competitive Commercialization Programs, which support Canadian bio-based innovation.
“This group of innovators demonstrates the expansive range of food, nutrition, and agriculture solutions that can be addressed through bio-based technologies,” says Shelley King, CEO, Natural Products Canada. “The products range from biostimulants that support crop yields for Canadian farmers, to powerful new natural health formulas that can bring hope to those suffering from dementia and stroke.”
NPC’s total contribution of $1.2M will support the following recipients:
- Bactana (Prince Edward Island): Bactana tackles the costly issue of obesity and diabetes in companion animals. The company receives $105,208 from the Proof of Concept Program to conduct product trials in cats and dogs.
- Crush Dynamics (British Columbia): Crush Dynamics is transforming ingredients from the wine-making process into flavour-enhancing products that increase food preservation. The company receives $250,000 from the Proof of Concept Program to develop and scale up a new product format.
- Entosystem (Quebec): Entosystem has developed an advanced insect rearing technology to produce animal protein and frass, a powerful ingredient to promote soil health and crop yield. The company receives $250,000 from the Proof of Concept Program to validate the effectiveness of their frass fertilizer.
- Innodal (Quebec): Innodal is addressing food pathogens that can put Canadians’ health at risk and cause millions of dollars in losses for food companies. The company receives $250,000 from the Proof of Concept program to produce and validate product efficacy in seafood, meat and cheese.
- Kapoose Creek (Ontario/British Columbia): Kapoose Creek hopes to decrease the impact of dementia and stroke with powerful compounds found in mycelium. Kapoose Creek receives $65,550 from the Access to Talent Program to hire a senior scientist to manage regulatory requirements and clinical trials.
- Protein Powered Farms (Saskatchewan): Protein Powered Farms is focused on increasing the value of faba bean crops while reducing resources and maximizing nutrition. The company receives $250,000 from the Proof of Concept Program to develop and validate their processing technology.
- Reazent (Nova Scotia): Reazent is creating biostimulants and biopesticides to help increase crop yield and soil health. The company receives $15,600 from the Fast Track To Financing Program to develop a regulatory plan.
“Our government continues to support innovation in agri-food, a sector that is benefitting all Canadians. The seven projects selected by Natural Products Canada will help develop ground-breaking food products and technologies to positively and directly impact Canadians in their lives. Congratulations to all recipients, the work you are doing is cementing Canada’s position as a world leader in your industry.” The Honorable François-Philippe Chapagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
NPC’s financial contribution comes through its Commercialization Programs, supported by the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund, designed to help Canadian start-ups address critical gaps along their path to market. The three non-dilutive, non-repayable programs – Fast Track To Financing, Access To Talent, and Proof of Concept – address different needs, with varying maximum amounts ranging from $25,000 to $250,000.
“The last few years of unprecedented global events have underscored the importance of stable and diversified food and agriculture systems that can adapt to continually changing conditions,” says King. “These programs and the companies they support are ensuring Canada’s continued position as a global food leader.”
NPC’s Commercialization Programs are just one element of their strategic offering. They also provide advisory services and crucial introductions and referrals, as well as leveraging various events and initiatives to showcase Canadian innovation to their broad network of international investors and corporations.
NPC has also launched NPC Ventures, a $50M capital fund to invest in high-potential Canadian natural products. The fund follows on the exceptional success of NPC’s previous investments of $3.8M across 13 early-stage Canadian companies, which resulted in 170 new jobs, $60M in revenue, and $137M of additional capital raised from Canadian and international investors.
