NPC Seeks Early-Stage Bio-Based Innovation

Natural Products Canada (NPC) is seeking bio-based innovations from the Canadian start-up and research community that may benefit from NPC’s upcoming events, initiatives, programs and services, including potential sources of capital and opportunities to connect with strategic partners such as investors and customers.

Please note: The following is meant to introduce new innovation to Natural Products Canada. If you have engaged with your NPC Regional Director in the last 12 months, there is no need to do anything further. If you are unsure, please contact your Regional Director.

BACKGROUND/WHO WE ARE

NPC is a national not-for-profit organization with a mandate to identify and support early-stage bio-based innovation. Since our inception in 2016 we have helped over 1200 Canadian innovators advance their product/technology. We are eager to meet new bio-based innovators from across Canada’s broad research and start-up communities.

NPC Programs and Services

NPC’s diverse platform of support covers the broad lifespan of bio-based technology development and commercialization, and is generally comprised of the following:

• Advice and guidance (business, regulatory and technical)
• Referrals to expertise and resources
• Commercialization programs (non-dilutive capital)
• Facilitating introductions to strategic partners (i.e. investors, customers, etc.)
• Investment

BIOPRODUCTS – WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

NPC is seeking Canadian bio-based innovations that can be applied to a diverse array of industries, and that represent the broad spectrum of technology/solution development from research through to commercialization.

NPC’s focus is on Canadian technologies/products/processes in which a biological component is a critical aspect of the solution. In addition, these bio-based solutions and technologies should help to remove/reduce/replace the use of less sustainable ingredients/processes, including those derived from petroleum or fossil fuels. Finally, they should represent true innovation: translating something new into a valuable offering that has the potential to meet the need of a customer.

Key Criteria:

• Canadian origin/ownership
• Dependent on a bio-based component
• Helps to remove/reduce/replace the use of less sustainable ingredients/processes, including those derived from petroleum or fossil fuels

Target Sectors:

These bio-based innovations could be applied to any industries, including but not limited to: agriculture and food production; manufacturing; remediation; water/waste management; cosmetics/personal care; and construction.

Examples of Bio-Based Innovation:

Examples of bio-based products include but are not limited to the following:

• Bio-based chemicals* (phytoactives, extracts, etc).
• Bio-based cleaners and disinfectants
• Bio-based textiles
• Bio-equivalents
• Biologicals
• Biopesticides
• Bioherbicides
• Biostimulants
• Biolubricants
• Biomaterials
• Bioplastics
• Biopolymers
• Bioremediation
• Bioresins

See more examples of potential products/technologies. CLICK HERE>>

* The solution may be associated with/supported by other components such mechanical process, AI, or IT, but the bio-based innovation must be integral to the technology. For example, this oral health solution in which the active ingredient is derived from a botanical source, and is delivered via a light-activation device.

Stage of Innovation:

NPC is seeking the above bio-based products and technologies from the Canadian research and start-up communities, and as such will be welcoming entries across a broad range of technology readiness levels, including:

• EARLY STAGE: Prime for industrial partnership on further development
• LATE STAGE: Ready for licensing or some other form of commercial engagement
• SPINOUT: Ready for commercialization support from NPC or others
• START-UP/SME: Ready for commercialization support from NPC or others

OPPORTUNITIES – WHY GET INVOLVED?

NPC is planning a range of activities and initiatives to help support and showcase Canadian bio-based innovations, including:

• Bioproduct Research-Industry Showcases – NPC plans to conduct events that connect promising bio-based innovation from Canadian research institutes to interested corporations/industry players.
• Bioproduct Pitch Events – NPC plans to host pitch events to help bio-based innovation within Canadian investment-ready, early-stage companies connect to interested investors from across Canada and around the globe.
• Bioproduct Industry Report – NPC is developing a snapshot of Canada’s bioproduct industry, featuring research expertise and capacity, early-stage innovation, investment and research activity, and innovation/commercialization resources. The purpose of this report is to provide a resource to Canadian stakeholders, as well as introduce international investors, corporations and other potential partners to Canadian opportunities in bioproduct innovation.
• Curated Introductions – NPC is continually working with domestic and international corporations and investors to help them connect with Canadian innovation. Where appropriate, NPC is happy to make introductions based on relevant technology/application/stage of the innovation.
• Events – NPC is involved in/or responsible for a variety of events related to bioproducts. For example, NPC is hosting a virtual pitch session in February for Canadian investment-ready innovations in bio-based products. Other events are in development.
• NPC’s Advisory Services and Programs – Early-stage Canadian innovators may be eligible for NPC’s suite of advisory services (technical, regulatory, business, commercialization) or Commercialization Programs, which provide up to $250K to address key commercialization hurdles.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE?

We’re looking for non-confidential information about your technology and/or company. Please complete this form to get started. CLICK HERE>>

Have questions? Speak to your RD. CLICK HERE>>