Bioenterprise partners with 1855 ACCELERATOR to widen focus on agri-tech innovation and commercialization

Posted: Jun 22, 2022

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Guelph ON, 22 June 2022 – Bioenterprise Canada, Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine and the only national accelerator for driving agricultural innovation across Canada, has partnered with the 1855 Accelerator, located in Durham Region.

Bioenterprise Canada is breaking down industry silos by creating a network of entrepreneurs, accelerators, and partners, committed to driving innovation across Canada. This collaboration with the 1855 Accelerator will continue to enhance scaling support for businesses to overcome common barriers by connecting them to the knowledgeable experts, key services, and funding sources they need to accelerate their business.

“The 1855 Accelerator has shown significant value for innovative companies during their high revenue growth and investment raise stages in the start-up cycle,” says Dave Smardon, Bioenterprise Canada President & CEO. “Additionally, 1855’s location within the Durham Region, the largest geographic region within the Greater Toronto Area at 2,523 km², provides significant exposure to emerging innovations in one of the premier agriculture ecosystems in Canada.”

“Durham Region is a dense urban area, but the land mass is primarily farmland with 1,300 farms and employing 2,900 in the agriculture industry. As both a Bioenterprise team member and a Durham Region resident, I could immediately see how this partnership would enhance our network in the Eastern part of the GTA. 1855 brings the business commercialization reputation and local ecosystem network, while Bioenterprise’s Engine offers sector-specific expertise in agricultural innovation.  This is a perfect match to create lasting economic impact for the GTA and beyond,” adds Braden Kemp, Partnership Engagement and Development, Bioenterprise Canada.

“In a very short time, 1855 Accelerator has built a strong reputation for its approach to helping scale and grow innovative companies, and the Bioenterprise partnership offers us an extended value proposition to agri-tech companies. Bioenterprise is Canada’s leading national agriculture accelerator, and as a national organization their reach and capabilities give us unparalleled ecosystem access,” says Dennis Croft, Chief Executive Officer of 1855 Accelerator.

About Bioenterprise Canada:
As Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, Bioenterprise Canada brings more than 15 years of industry experience and a national and international network of research institutions, academia, mentors and experts, funders and investors, government, and industry partners to help small and medium-sized businesses in the agri-food sector nationwide connect, innovate, and grow. Visit https://bioenterprise.ca/ to learn more.

About 1855:
The 1855 Technology Accelerator is a business accelerator located on the East side of the Greater Toronto Area, in Durham Region. 1855 focuses on helping tech start-ups scale revenue and grow operations quickly, and includes expertise in expediting sales and marketing, investor readiness, talent optimization, operational excellence, and innovative ecosystem reach. www.1855whitby.com

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For more information:

Dave Smardon, CEO, Bioenterprise Canada
dave.smardon@bioenterprise.ca or 519-821-2960

Dennis Croft, Chief Executive Officer, 1855 Accelerator
denniscroft@1855whitby.com

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