Guelph/Toronto, 3 February 2022 – A new partnership between Bioenterprise, Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, and the Food Innovation & Research Studio (FIRSt) at George Brown College will open up new product development innovation opportunities for Canada’s agri-food sector.
The two organizations have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on innovation opportunities and jointly boost Canada’s growing national food and agri-tech network.
“The Food Innovation & Research Studio will further expand the Engine’s reach into food and beverage product development support and add new depth to our national network of resources and experts,” says Bioenterprise Canada CEO Dave Smardon. “This new partnership is another important step in building a connected Canadian ecosystem that can help us realize the potential of the national food and agri-tech sector.”
FIRSt is a contract research and development group at George Brown College in Toronto, providing food and beverage clients with creative, practical, and science-based insights to solve product development innovation challenges. FIRSt works with food and beverage companies of all sizes to deliver customized service packages spanning the product development process.
“As a Technology Access Centre, our mission is to help de-risk innovation for growth-oriented companies in the food and beverage sector. By partnering with Bioenterprise Canada, we can broaden our support of the innovation pipeline from agriculture to consumer packaged goods,” says Dan Reilly, Senior Manager at FIRSt. “Their robust national network will let us better serve clients as well as raise awareness in the agriculture sector of the services available to help them develop new products and diversify their businesses.
About Bioenterprise Canada
Bioenterprise Canada is Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, bringing more than 15 years of industry experience and a national and international network of research institutions, academia, mentors and experts, government, and industry to help small and medium-sized businesses in the sector nationwide Connect, Innovate, and Grow. Through its experienced service partner network, Bioenterprise offers a wide range of expertise and support to its clients, and partnerships with other industries help open doors to new technologies and platforms to help food and agri-tech businesses innovate and grow. Visit https://bioenterprise.ca/ to learn more.
About George Brown’s Food Innovation & Research Studio
The Food Innovation & Research Studio is a George Brown College research facility located in downtown Toronto that specializes in getting new food products into the market and onto store shelves. FIRSt offers industry access to technical resources, state of the art facilities, and networking opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses within the GTA food and beverage industry, enabling these companies to grow and reach more customers. With cutting-edge research laboratories and test kitchens that meet industry needs, FIRSt accelerates new food ideas from “concept to commercialization”.
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For more information:
Dave Smardon, Bioenterprise Canada
dave.smardon@bioenterprise.ca or 519-821-2960
Saron Fanel, External Communications Specialist, George Brown College
saron.fanel@georgebrown.ca
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