New collaboration supports agri-food innovation in northeastern Ontario

Guelph/Timmins,  – Link North, the Regional Innovation Centre in far northeastern Ontario, has joined Bioenterprise, Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine to collaboratively support developing the agri-food sector across the region.

The two organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will connect Link North to Bioenterprise Canada’s national network of food and agri-tech innovation mentorship, partnership and funding support. For Bioenterprise, it will open new opportunities in northeastern Ontario for Engine members and partners.

“Link North plays a valuable role in advancing business development in northeastern Ontario and we welcome the opportunity to support and enhance their efforts in the agri-food sector,” says Bioenterprise Canada CEO Dave Smardon. “Encouraging innovation and economic development in the North is a strategic priority for our organization and we look forward to meeting and getting to know innovative agri-food businesses in the region.”

Link North supports entrepreneurs and businesses throughout all stages of innovation, which includes product and technology development, commercialization and scaling, and modernizing and growing operations. The organization provides business advisory services, programming and funding, and online and in-person workshops to help its clients with developing their business and building entrepreneurial skills and capacity.

“Agri-food is one of the main sectors we work with, and these businesses are challenged with long distance to markets, shorter growing seasons, and sometimes limited access to supplies, equipment and services,” says Link North Business Development Specialist Ross MacDonald. “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Bioenterprise to increase opportunities for our agri-food clients to innovate and enhance their operations, support integration of technologies and modernization efforts, and build knowledge and capacity to scale and grow their businesses.”

Link North also works with the Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) to support clients. TEDC is part of the Northeast Community Network (NeCN), a larger regional group of 10+ communities focused on agriculture and agri-foods.