Bioenterprise Canada celebrates 20 years of agri-tech innovation success

Guelph ON– Bioenterprise Canada, a national agri-technology focused commercialization accelerator, is celebrating two decades of supporting agri-tech innovation and commercialization success in Canada.

To mark the anniversary, Bioenterprise has released a highlights and achievements report that focuses on accomplishments from the past 20 years as well as its very busy 2022 calendar.

Since its inception in 2003, Bioenterprise has supported over 2,500 innovative ag-tech companies and helped launch 2,000 technologies. The organization has generated $285 million in follow-on investment in Canadian agriculture and agri-food and yielded a 200:1 return on invested dollars.

From its early days with a small office in Guelph, Bioenterprise today has six locations across Canada and more than 350 members and partners nationwide.

“Right from the start, the focus of this organization was on advancing innovation in food and agriculture – and the numbers speak for themselves to the impact we’ve been able to have in advancing ag innovation and commercialization in Canada over the past two decades,” says CEO Dave Smardon. “Our approach, scope, services and areas of expertise have expanded dramatically since our beginnings, and I’m incredibly proud of everything this organization has accomplished.”

An early focus for Bioenterprise was building a bioeconomy and finding bio-based energy sources to support a transition away from fossil fuels. Today, food security and sustainability rank highly on the Bioenterprise list of strategic priorities, as does finding climate change solutions – still with the focus of moving away from fossil fuels but now with the ultimate goal of achieving carbon net zero production.

Two years ago, Bioenterprise entered a new chapter with the launch of Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine to create a truly national and united ag innovation ecosystem. The Engine and its focus on collaboration and ecosystem development is one pillar of core services; the other is innovation program delivery, where Bioenterprise works with organizations nationwide to provide funding and mentorship support to entrepreneurs and growing businesses in the food and agri-tech sector.

“We know that collaboration is key to advancing sustainable innovation and opening doors for more people to join this industry, including women, young people, and Indigenous and northern entrepreneurs,” says Smardon. “The future is bright and the possibilities are many, and we’re excited to continue our efforts to put Canada on the global agri-tech innovation map.”

Bioenterprise is Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, a national agri-technology focused commercialization accelerator. Bioenterprise uses its 20 years of industry experience and a global network of experts, mentors, funders, researchers, and industry partners to help small and medium-sized agri-food businesses connect, innovate and grow. Learn more.