NPC’s latest cohort drives breakthrough solutions from waste-to-energy technology to next-generation protein platforms.
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA – October 23, 2025 – Natural Products Canada (NPC) today announced a $740,000 investment across four early-stage companies, bringing its total investment to over $12.6 million across 96 Canadian start-ups. The four recipients—NULIFE GreenTech, Maia Farms, Seacork Studio, and Taylored Biotherapeutics—represent the cutting edge of bio-based innovation, addressing critical challenges from waste management and sustainable materials to alternative proteins and mental health therapeutics.
NPC’s investment will enable $1.86 million in total project activities, accelerating transformative technologies from waste-to-energy processing to seaweed-based materials across multiple provinces.
“These four companies exemplify Canada’s ability to turn scientific breakthroughs into market-ready solutions that create both economic value and environmental impact,” said Shelley King, Founder & CEO, Natural Products Canada. “Our latest cohort demonstrates how Canadian innovation addresses both domestic and global challenges while building a more sustainable future.”
This investment is supported by the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund and is building momentum behind NPC’s bioeconomy leadership across the country and around the globe. NPC’s Commercialization Programs bridge the gap between innovation and market success for deep-tech bioeconomy companies. Portfolio companies have leveraged every dollar of NPC investment to secure an additional $52 in follow-on capital, creating a powerful multiplier effect. Thirteen high-performing companies from our initial investment fund catalyzed the formation of Nàdarra Ventures, a specialized private investment vehicle that is now amplifying our impact and strengthening Canada’s competitive position in commercializing homegrown bio-innovations that address global markets.
“The Government of Canada’s partnership with Natural Products Canada provides investments to visionary start-ups shaping the future of the bioeconomy in our country. These investments will help Canada remain a global leader in sustainable technologies,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. “By fostering industry collaborations and investing in green innovation, the government is building a more sustainable Canadian economy for future generations.”
NPC’s Commercialization Programs bridge the gap between innovation and market success for deep-tech bioeconomy companies. Through Proof of Concept, Access to Talent, and Fast Track to Financing streams, NPC provides up to $350,000 in support while acting as a “strategic angel,” offering guidance and connections to its network of over 4,000 investors, industry leaders, and experts.
Details of the four Commercialization Program recipients are listed below. For more information about the clients and their innovations, or to explore collaboration opportunities with Natural Products Canada, please contact: [email protected].
- Program: Access to Talent
- Project Budget: $172,500
- NPC Contribution: $69,000
- Province: Saskatchewan
NULIFE GreenTech’s patented Hydrothermal Liquefaction technology transforms food manufacturing waste and agricultural residues into renewable bio-crude oil for carbon sequestration; allowing NULIFE to sell Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) credits under contract, with NPC funding supporting critical finance expertise to drive their expansion from two to 48 commercial processors by 2026.
- Program: Proof of Concept
- Project Budget: $850,000
- NPC Contribution: $340,000
- Province: British Columbia
Maia Farms’ proprietary Fungal IntelligenceTM platform produces fresh mushroom mycelium, a minimally processed whole food protein ingredient, with NPC support enabling pilot-scale validation to demonstrate industrial viability.
- Program: Proof of Concept
- Project Budget: $765,000
- NPC Contribution: $306,000
- Province: British Columbia
Seacork Studio creates circular, carbon-storing acoustic panels from regeneratively harvested seaweed using only natural binding agents, with NPC funding validating cost-effective dewatering processes for commercial production scale-up.
- Program: Fast Track to Financing
- Project Budget: $75,000
- NPC Contribution: $25,000
- Province: Alberta
Taylored Biotherapeutics is developing a microbial therapeutic approach to symptoms of bipolar disorder through targeted gut microbiome intervention, with NPC support advancing regulatory pathway planning and IP strategy for clinical trials in Canada.
About Natural Products Canada
Natural Products Canada (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.