Innovative companies address sustainable proteins, food security, and ‘green’ chemicals

Natural Products Canada (NPC) has announced the ten most recent recipients of its Commercialization Programs, enabling $2.8 million in projects to complete key milestones needed for commercial success. PRESS RELEASE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO

“We are so encouraged by the incredible potential of these Canadian companies,” says Shelley King, CEO of Natural Products Canada. “They are tackling some of the most important issues of our time with truly ground-breaking, sustainable innovations.”

The diverse array of program recipients reflects NPC’s broad mandate to support Canadian innovation that uses biologically-based solutions to improve the health of people, animals, and the planet. The ten companies are developing a range of products that meet the growing global demand for sustainable solutions to food production and security, human and animal health, and eco-friendly manufacturing.

“Our government recognizes the importance of supporting innovation in the natural product ecosystem and the essential role it will play in our sustainable economy and our health. The solutions developed by Natural Products Canada’s Commercialization Programs’ recipients are bringing innovators together to share their knowledge and expertise, leading the way to new ideas and technologies that will benefit Canadians for years to come.”

 – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry 

NPC’s Commercialization Programs are designed to address three critical areas that often prohibit start-ups from achieving commercial success. The Proof of Concept Program is focused on validating a natural product or technology through testing such as clinical or field trials. The Access to Talent Program helps recipients round out their research, development and commercialization teams. The Fast Track to Finance Program targets key data gaps in the commercialization strategy.

The Commercialization Programs recipients are:

• CanBiocin (Proof of Concept Program): Supporting animal wellness with species-specific probiotics
• Chickapea (Fast Track to Financing): Protein-dense pasta made with only organic chickpeas and lentils
• Folium (Fast Track to Financing): Delivery technology to enhance bioavailability, absorption, and targeted delivery of active ingredients
• GrainFrac (Access to Talent): A unique and disruptive technology to enable sustainable, affordable, and superior plant-protein ingredients
• Impactful Health R&D (Proof of Concept): Tackling the global food waste challenge using sustainable active packaging solutions
• Lucky Iron Fish (Proof of Concept): Combatting iron deficiency through natural, cost-effective solutions
• Näak (Access to Talent): A sports nutrition company focused on sustainable fuel for outdoor enthusiasts
• Seed To Surf (Fast Track to Financing): Plant-based seafood that uses premium whole vegetables to recreate the seafood experience
• Smallfood (Access to Talent): Unearthing the potential of microbial ingredients to develop sustainable proteins
• Zila Works Canada (Proof of Concept): A new industrial bio-plastic from hemp to help product manufacturers lower their carbon footprint

NPC’s Commercialization Programs are part of their comprehensive approach to supporting and connecting the natural product innovation ecosystem in Canada. In addition to providing valuable technical and business advice, NPC works with an extensive network of corporations, investors, industry experts, incubators, accelerators and others to help advance the world-class natural product innovation arising from Canada’s start-up and research communities. NPC is supported by a $20-million investment from the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund.

For more information:

Sue Coueslan, VP Strategy and Partnerships

[email protected]

---

Natural Products Canada

Natural Products Canada (NPC) is the driving force behind Canada’s Natural Product Innovation Cluster–a strategic community of SMEs, research institutes, corporations, investors, government departments, and service providers who support the development and commercialization of naturally-derived products and technologies in health and life sciences, natural resources, agriculture and agri-food, and sustainable bioproducts. As part of its role in the Cluster, NPC offers a suite of Commercialization Programs to help companies and researchers advance high-potential products and technologies; provides connection and innovation scouting services to industry and investors through its Innovation Hub; and leverages its Investment Fund to help develop and de-risk promising Canadian opportunities. NPC has over 1000 opportunities in its pipeline, has completed 13 investments, experienced two exits, and is in the process of raising another $50M dedicated to Canadian natural product innovation. Established in 2015, NPC has received financial support from a range of public and private entities, including the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund and the Networks of Centres of Excellence. Visit www.naturalproductscanada.com.

Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)

SIF supports national innovation ecosystems, pan-Canadian network-led projects that involve a high degree of collaboration to stimulate innovation and commercialization in areas of Canadian advantage and enhance linkages between businesses and academia/research bodies.