Darren has been helping companies reach their potential for nearly 20 years. A born connector and analyst, he leverages his extensive list of global contacts to provide information and introductions that produce results for entrepreneurs and investors.

Before joining Natural Products Canada, he worked extensively with Alberta Innovates where he worked with a number of SMEs in a range of sectors, providing due diligence, creating linkages with angel and other investors, and addressing market and commercialization challenges. One of his proudest moments was helping a start-up biofuels company obtain more than $10 million in capital and develop a strategic commercial partnership with a global oil and gas company.

Darren has a formal education focused on science (agricultural genetics) and technology transfer, and has been immersed in the commercialization of new technologies throughout his career. He’s worked in multiple countries with small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, multinationals, and various government agencies and programs, giving him a broad set of knowledge and tools to share with his clients.

Darren has led international distribution partnerships, global market launches, negotiations with subsidiary companies, patent portfolios, and been involved in countless reviews of investment opportunities. He has primarily focused on the sectors of agriculture & forestry, food & beverage, clean technology, and industrial biotechnology.

With NPC, Darren acts as the main point of contact for all Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba-based companies, research institutions, investors, support organizations and others interested in opportunities in natural products. He connects people and organizations to key contacts at NPC, across the country and around the world, and provides guidance and advice on everything from intellectual property to regulatory and financial and competitive analysis.