Bioenterprise Canada Announces Round 2 Recipients of the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative Commercialization Stream

Guelph, ON– Bioenterprise Canada is pleased to announce the successful applicants of the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream! Twelve organizations have been selected for the second call for proposals to receive funding to conduct market validation and product development projects, and to bring those innovative solutions to the market. The projects will help foster economic development of the sector, ensure protection and assurance in the sector, and provide stewardship of Ontario’s capacity to produce food.

Through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Bioenterprise is receiving up to $3.4M to deliver the OAFRI Commercialization Stream. This initiative provides successful applicants with up to $150,000 in non-repayable acceleration funding to transform innovative agri-food research ideas into leading-edge technologies, services, and new market-ready products.

“Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food sectors are using innovative approaches and technology to bring quality food to Canadians and the world,” said the Honourable Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This support will help them access the resources they need to move their great ideas one step closer to market.” 

“Investments in programs like OAFRI protect and strengthen our agri-food sector and help Ontario’s agribusinesses be even more competitive and resilient,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “By bridging the gap between research and market and turning ideas into innovations, commercialization is crucial for a strong agri-food sector.”

“These are very challenging times for Canada’s agri-food sector,” says Dave Smardon, President & CEO at Bioenterprise. “The economic and political environment is causing financial uncertainty for many. And yet, it is times like these that often create opportunities to assess our businesses and embrace the adoption of new innovations that can drive greater competitive advantage. Through the OAFRI program’s commercialization stream, twelve new innovations will receive funding and will make their way into Ontario’s agri-food sector. Innovations such as these can reduce costs, increase productivity and build greater efficiency in Ontario’s agri-food businesses making them more competitive and more resilient to unforeseen market conditions.”