Natural Products Canada (NPC) has announced investment of $1.7 million into seven early-stage companies bringing its total to $10.6M in investments in 88 Canadian opportunities. The seven companies are recipients of NPC’s Commercialization Programs and represent highly innovative bio-based and natural products.
NPC’s most recent investment will enable a total of $4.6 million in pivotal activities to help the seven companies address key challenges in their go-to-market journey. The recipients include start-ups from across the country developing sustainable, bio-based products ranging from allergen-free pet food to soil and water remediation, and are comprised of: ALT-PRO Advantage; BioSun Products; Black & Blue Foods; Chinova Bioworks; Henri Nutrition; Magna Engineering; and Tersa Earth Innovations.
“NPC’s contribution to these companies is an investment in a stronger Canada,” said Shelley King, CEO, Natural Products Canada. “The work we do to develop and de-risk these opportunities ensures Canada can meet the demand for innovative, bio-based solutions that address global challenges such as climate change, food security, and chronic health issues.”
With today’s announcement, NPC has disbursed over $10.6 million to 88 companies, facilitating their growth and development through new product launches, increased revenues and additional capital. As of March 31, 2024, NPC-supported companies had attracted $53 for every $1 received from NPC. Thirteen of those companies were part of NPC’s initial investment fund, which led to the creation of the private investment fund, Nàdarra Ventures, further strengthening made-in-Canada innovation.
“With growing interest in bio-based solutions, Canadian companies are creating cutting-edge products that can solve problems across multiple sectors like healthcare, agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. Our government is proud to partner with NPC to help the next wave of biotech start-ups scale up and thrive. With NPC’s support, these companies are attracting private investment and driving innovation across the country.”
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.”
NPC’s Commercialization Programs are designed to accelerate the path to market, which can be more time-consuming and resource-intensive for deep tech, high-innovation companies within the bioeconomy. NPC focuses on three areas that are conducive to companies attracting the partners and investors required for growth: product validation and scaling, 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. Building on its capital expertise and acting as a “strategic angel” NPC works with applicants before, during and after the official application process, providing in-depth advice, guidance and connections to resources from within its network of over 4000 investors, industry leaders, experts and others.
Details of the seven Commercialization Program recipients are listed below. For more information about the clients and their technologies, or to explore opportunities to collaborate with Natural Products Canada, please contact Sue Coueslan at [email protected].
Program: Access to Talent
Project Budget: $188,600
NPC Contribution: $75,000
Province: ON/NS
ALT-PRO Advantage is creating the next generation of pet food with alternative proteins and allergen-free formulas. Their proprietary microalgae ingredient is a natural, sustainable source of essential nutrients, reducing reliance on synthetic additives while enhancing pet health and environmental sustainability.
Program: Proof of Concept
Project Budget: $709,073
NPC Contribution: $283,629
Province: QC
BioSun created an herbal biofungicide to provide natural, safe and effective protection for crops such as tomatoes, which are a key staple in many diets. This capital will support trials to validate safety and efficacy.
Program: Fast Track to Financing
Project Budget: $48,500
NPC Contribution: $19,400
Province: ON
Black & Blue Foods has created Pain Punch, a beverage for pain relief and inflammation. The capital will be used to complete the market, financial, and regulatory planning for this unique natural health product.
Program: Proof of Concept
Project Budget: $1,046,106
NPC Contribution: $350,000
Province: NB
Chinova has developed a natural antimicrobial ingredient from cranberries to help extend the shelf life of food and beverages. The capital will support activities to scale the product to attain regulatory approvals and distribute commercial samples to prospective customers.
Program: Proof of Concept
Project Budget: $843,480
NPC Contribution: $337,392
Province: QC
Henri Nutrition is developing clean label, family-friendly, nutritious snacks that are affordable, allergen-free, plant-based and a great source of protein. The capital will support the company’s scale up efforts.
Program: Proof of Concept
Project Budget: $884,350
NPC Contribution: $350,000
Province: Alberta
Magna Engineering has developed a nature-based wastewater treatment module to help rural communities mitigate drought. This capital supports the demonstration module.
Program: Proof of Concept
Project Budget: $972,199
NPC Contribution: $350,000
Province: BC
Tersa Earth Innovations revolutionizes mining with dual-action technology that recovers valuable metals and remediates water, ensuring sustainable resource extraction for our future needs.
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.