Calgary, Alberta — Natural Products Canada (NPC) today announced support for two revolutionary companies based in Alberta through its Commercialization Programs. The recipients, CanBiocin Inc., who specialize in species-specific probiotics, and SixRing Inc., who are creating sustainable biofuels, are each addressing different parts of our bioeconomy using nature-based solutions. 

NPC’s Commercialization Programs focus on three gaps common to highly innovative companies: product validation, talent, and competitive strategy. The Proof of Concept, Access to Talent, and Fast Track to Financing programs address each of these gaps and provide up to $350,000 in support. Acting truly as “strategic angels” NPC works with applicants before, during and after the official application process, providing in-depth advice, guidance and connections to resources from across the country. 

“Natural Products Canada is proud to support the development of natural products as a catalyst of sustainable economic development that benefits all Canadians,” said Shelley King, CEO, Natural Products Canada. “NPC’s investment in Alberta’s start-ups CanBiocin and SixRing Inc. is a sign of our commitment to companies harnessing the power of nature to create competitive sustainable products that contribute to Canada’s economy and the planet as a whole.” 

The investment into CanBiocin through the Access to Talent Program will support the addition of new expertise for commercialization activities related to CanBiocin’s species-specific probiotics, which improve the health and wellness of companion animals and livestock. NPC is investing $49,680, enabling a total budget of $124,200.  

“Like many early-stage companies, we need to build an increasingly high performing team to keep pace with our rapid growth,” said Jake Burlet, CEO, CanBiocin. “NPC’s capital is the perfect support for our current hiring needs.”  

The support for SixRing Inc. will help fund Proof of Concept activities to harness nature by converting low value, non-food, waste biomass into advanced biofuels and sustainable chemicals with up to 80% fewer GHGs. NPC will invest $250,000, enabling a total budget of $715,942.   

“The capital from NPC allows us to advance our process to create the higher yields that industry needs, while reducing costs,” said Scott Treadwell, President, SixRing. “Doing so will help to finally bring economical cellulosic ethanol to market.”  

NPC’s work to advance natural products is supported by the Government of Canada.  Since 2016, NPC has provided advice and promotional support to over 1600 Canadian start-ups and has curated thousands of strategic introductions through its extensive network of investors, industry leaders, business and technical consultants, and others that help advance sustainable innovation. 

“Thanks to our government’s support, Natural Products Canada is helping Canadian entrepreneurs navigate the marketplace and bring a wide range of ecologically mindful products to consumers. These projects represent diverse opportunities for innovation, while creating skilled jobs and promoting a greener economy for all Canadians.” 

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

For more information about these clients and their technologies, or to explore opportunities to collaborate with Natural Products Canada, please contact Sue Coueslan at [email protected]. 

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About Natural Products Canada (NPC) – NPC is the driving force behind Canada’s Natural Product Innovation Cluster–a strategic and diverse community focused on 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 in-depth advice and a suite of commercialization programs to Canadian early-stage companies and research institutes; provides connections and innovation scouting services to corporations and investors; and leverages an investment fund (Nàdarra Ventures) to help develop and de-risk promising Canadian opportunities. NPC has received financial support from the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund, administered by the department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and the Centre of Excellence in Commercialization and Research (CECR) program, administered by the Networks of Centres of Excellence.