[:en]start-up funding[:] - Natural Products Canada

Innovative companies address sustainable proteins, food security, and ‘green’ chemicals
Natural Products Canada (NPC) has announced the ten most recent recipients of its Commercialization Programs, enabling $2.8 million in projects to complete key milestones needed for commercial success. PRESS RELEASE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO

“We are so encouraged by the incredible potential of these Canadian companies,” says Shelley King, CEO of Natural Products Canada. “They are tackling some of the most important issues of our time with truly ground-breaking, sustainable innovations.”
The diverse array of program recipients reflects NPC’s broad mandate to support Canadian innovation that uses biologically-based solutions to improve the health of people, animals, and the planet. The ten companies are developing a range of products that meet the growing global demand for sustainable solutions to food production and security, human and animal health, and eco-friendly manufacturing.
“Our government recognizes the importance of supporting innovation in the natural product ecosystem and the essential role it will play in our sustainable economy and our health. The solutions developed by Natural Products Canada’s Commercialization Programs’ recipients are bringing innovators together to share their knowledge and expertise, leading the way to new ideas and technologies that will benefit Canadians for years to come.”
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
NPC’s Commercialization Programs are designed to address three critical areas that often prohibit start-ups from achieving commercial success. The Proof of Concept Program is focused on validating a natural product or technology through testing such as clinical or field trials. The Access to Talent Program helps recipients round out their research, development and commercialization teams. The Fast Track to Finance Program targets key data gaps in the commercialization strategy.
The Commercialization Programs recipients are:
- CanBiocin (Proof of Concept Program): Supporting animal wellness with species-specific probiotics
- Chickapea (Fast Track to Financing): Protein-dense pasta made with only organic chickpeas and lentils
- Folium (Fast Track to Financing): Delivery technology to enhance bioavailability, absorption, and targeted delivery of active ingredients
- GrainFrac (Access to Talent): A unique and disruptive technology to enable sustainable, affordable, and superior plant-protein ingredients
- Impactful Health R&D (Proof of Concept): Tackling the global food waste challenge using sustainable active packaging solutions
- Lucky Iron Fish (Proof of Concept): Combatting iron deficiency through natural, cost-effective solutions
- Näak (Access to Talent): A sports nutrition company focused on sustainable fuel for outdoor enthusiasts
- Seed To Surf (Fast Track to Financing): Plant-based seafood that uses premium whole vegetables to recreate the seafood experience
- Smallfood (Access to Talent): Unearthing the potential of microbial ingredients to develop sustainable proteins
- Zila Works Canada (Proof of Concept): A new industrial bio-plastic from hemp to help product manufacturers lower their carbon footprint
NPC’s Commercialization Programs are part of their comprehensive approach to supporting and connecting the natural product innovation ecosystem in Canada. In addition to providing valuable technical and business advice, NPC works with an extensive network of corporations, investors, industry experts, incubators, accelerators and others to help advance the world-class natural product innovation arising from Canada’s start-up and research communities. NPC is supported by a $20-million investment from the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund.
For more information:
Sue Coueslan, VP Strategy and Partnerships
[email protected]
Natural Products Canada
Natural Products Canada (NPC) is the driving force behind Canada’s Natural Product Innovation Cluster–a strategic community of SMEs, research institutes, corporations, investors, government departments, and service providers who support 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 a suite of Commercialization Programs to help companies and researchers advance high-potential products and technologies; provides connection and innovation scouting services to industry and investors through its Innovation Hub; and leverages its Investment Fund to help develop and de-risk promising Canadian opportunities. NPC has over 1000 opportunities in its pipeline, has completed 13 investments, experienced two exits, and is in the process of raising another $50M dedicated to Canadian natural product innovation. Established in 2015, NPC has received financial support from a range of public and private entities, including the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund and the Networks of Centres of Excellence. Visit www.naturalproductscanada.com.
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)
SIF supports national innovation ecosystems, pan-Canadian network-led projects that involve a high degree of collaboration to stimulate innovation and commercialization in areas of Canadian advantage and enhance linkages between businesses and academia/research bodies.
Coach/advisor/investor reveals the key elements of presenting your business plan to attract capital and strategic partners
Frank Erschen has been called ‘Canada’s best pitch coach’ and ‘the startup whisperer’ for his effective and systematic approach to helping entrepreneurs tell their story.
Frank recently delivered a 90-minute webinar outlining the basics of the pitch structure, key strategies and tactics to address common investor concerns, and tips on how to deliver a pitch virtually.
You can download the slides or watch the video below.
The-Artful-Science-of-Pitching®-NPC-Oct-2020 Download
LEARN MORE: If you have questions about pitching or engaging with investors about your natural product business, please contact us. As Frank mentions in the video, if you’re interested in connecting with angel investors, the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) can provide info on your local angel investor network.
Three start-ups share lessons on raising capital, landing deals and looking after their teams and communities during COVID-19
We recently held a virtual happy hour as part of our involvement in the CHFA Connect virtual tradeshow. The very candid and valuable conversation featured Natasha Dhayagude of Chinova Bioworks, Ted Fleming of Partake Brewing, and Marie Chevrier of Sampler.
They talked about everything from mental health to supply chains and finding the balance of celebrating small wins while others are struggling. We are extremely grateful for their time and willingness to share. These are the types of dedicated entrepreneurs that are making a difference across the country. We hope you can take away a few things to help with your business.
Marie Chevrier of Sampler explains how they used their ‘superpowers’ during COVID.

Ted Fleming of Partake explains how he closed a capital raise during COVID-19

Natasha Dhayagude explains how her team went above and beyond to keep Chinova Bioworks moving forward during COVID

The panel explains how they addressed the needs of their teams during COVID

The panel discusses innovation during COVID

Ted Fleming explains how Partake approached innovation during COVID

The panel talks about supply chain during COVID

Ted shares the difficult balance of sharing successes amid the hardships of COVID

The panel shares final words of wisdom from their business journey through COVID so far
Businesses create natural products to address a range of challenges including health and animal health and bioplastics
Natural Products Canada (NPC) is pleased to announce the latest recipients of its Commercialization Programs designed to help Canadian companies overcome key challenges on their path to success.
“We’re proud to be able to support these innovative companies in their growth initiatives,” says Shelley King, CEO, Natural Products Canada. “We are particularly happy to help companies maintain and increase their teams during a time of so much economic uncertainty.”
The Commercialization Programs address common obstacles for emerging innovation companies, including executive leadership, product/technology validation, and access to capital. Details and application guidelines can be found online.
“The successful applicants are using these funds to pursue strategic developments including new facilities and e-commerce platforms to help them compete during the pandemic and in the future,” says King.
The latest Commercialization Program recipients represent naturally-derived products from diverse industries including human health and wellness, animal health, and bioplastics.
- Genecis produces biodegradable plastic from organic waste. They received funds through the Executive Talent Program to hire a Director of Engineering to oversee the design and commissioning of their new demonstration facility.
- Healthy Cow has developed a probiotic product, ProPreg, to promote reproductive health in dairy cows. They received funds through the Fast Track to Financing Program to complete strategies for their IP, marketing, and financing.
- Maskwiomin is a start-up founded by two researchers from Cape Breton University to leverage the traditional medicinal properties of birch bark-oil in a cosmetic and natural health product. They received funds from the Fast Track to Financing Program to develop a regulatory strategy and business plan.
- Novagevity has developed an organic, plant-based meal replacement beverage, Sperri, targeting the medical nutrition market. They received funds through the Fast Track to Financing Program to develop their e-commerce platform.
- Staterra has developed a nootropic, Mindgain, to enhance brain function and cognitive health. They received funds through the Fast Track to Financing Program to complete their digital media plan and platform.
The five companies join previous recipients, Partake Brewing, DoseBiome, Entomo Farms, Oberland Agriscience, Crazy D’s All Natural Lab and Bosk Bioproducts.