Guelph ON, 7 April 2025 – Bioenterprise Canada is welcoming Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) as a new member of Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine. The two organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will encourage collaborations in support of agri-tech innovation and commercialization.
“The continued growth of membership in the Engine across Canada is a testament to the interest in and need for the services and support in commercializing agri-food innovations in our country,” says Dave Smardon, Bioenterprise CEO. “We welcome IPON and its expertise to our network of advisors, partners, members, and mentors who work together to share information, services and resources to advance agri-food innovation in Canada.”
IPON is a provincial agency focused on providing intellectual property (IP) services and support to help Ontario businesses and researchers innovate and grow. The agency is committed to building a strong coalition of partners that fuel the success of the innovation ecosystem.
“Through this partnership with Bioenterprise, we hope to further support Ontario’s agri-tech innovators and strengthen their IP literacy, skills and impact,” says Paul Paolatto, IPON CEO. “By uniting resources and expertise, IPON can deliver IP-related services that support every stage of the innovation journey—helping businesses protect, leverage and maximize the value of their intangible assets.”
About Bioenterprise Canada
Bioenterprise is Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine. As the country’s national agri-technology focused commercialization accelerator, Bioenterprise uses its 20 years of industry experience and its national and international network of experts, mentors, funders, advisors, researchers, government and industry partners to help small and medium-sized agri-food businesses connect, innovate and grow.
About IPON
Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) is an Ontario agency that helps innovators protect and grow what’s made-in-Ontario. Established by the government of Ontario, the agency provides intellectual property (IP) education, IP funding and IP support to help Ontario businesses and researchers innovate and grow.
For more information:
Dave Smardon, Bioenterprise Canada, dave.smardon@bioenterprise.ca
Laura Bunn, IPON, laura.bunn@ip-ontario.ca