By Tabitha Caswell for Bioenterprise Canada
In the small, rural community of Rosslyn, Ontario, BioNorth Solutions is making a big impact on soil health. Specializing in eco-friendly, microbial products for soil remediation and plant growth, the cleantech company recently celebrated a major milestone: CFIA registration for its flagship plant growth promoter, PGP2R.
This achievement is made possible in part through Bioenterprise Canada’s Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub (GOAH), funded by the Governments of Canada and Ontario through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
“PGP2R is now officially certified, which means growers can trust the safety, quality, and regulatory compliance of our product,” says Amber Kivisto, Co-Founder and President of BioNorth Solutions Inc. “It’s a major step in our journey to scale.”
Harnessing Microbes for Greener Growth
BioNorth Solutions was born out of a shared vision between Kivisto and her partner, Dr. Miranda Lock, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of the company. The two environmental biotechnology researchers sought to solve real-world challenges while creating meaningful careers in the North. Incorporated in 2014, the company has since expanded its focus from petroleum hydrocarbon remediation to developing sustainable plant growth solutions.
Their PGP2R product promotes plant growth and inhibits pathogens and disease at the same time, without added chemicals and pesticides. “Our most unique asset is that our microbes are sourced naturally from cold-climate soils and plant roots,” explains Kivisto. “They overwinter and wake up earlier than other products on the market, becoming active in the soil sooner as the ground thaws. This early, accelerated activation is a big advantage for agricultural and revegetation applications.”
Backed by science, BioNorth’s climate-specific innovation helps improve soil health while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, aligning with emerging environmental goals in the agriculture sector.
Scaling with Confidence
Through GOAH, BioNorth accessed strategic mentorship that helped solidify its go-to-market approach, propelling the company’s innovative solution further into the agri-food ecosystem. With guidance from Innovation Advisor Martin Yuill, the team mapped out regulatory pathways and clarified distribution strategies for PGP2R, including a focus on licensing and partnering with larger firms to reach new agricultural markets.
“In our time with GOAH, we better defined our strategy and regulatory requirements,” says Kivisto. “Martin was a fantastic resource — a great sounding board and mentor.”
With CFIA registration secured and an import license in place for the U.S., BioNorth is preparing to scale PGP2R through strategic partnerships. A U.S.-based distributor is planning large-scale testing on 2,000 acres, and a major agri-business is gearing up for advanced trials using spectral imaging.
Now in its 11th year, the company has grown from a garage-based startup to a full-service business with a suite of environmental and agricultural solutions. While agriculture is a focus, BioNorth is also looking at opportunities in mine site rehabilitation and revegetation, offering PGP2R as a value-add in environmental remediation projects. The team continues to expand its offerings, from microbial application services to on-site soil inspections.
“We’ve never just sold a product — we follow it through, ensure success, and adapt as needed,” Kivisto adds. “We’re moving toward being a full-service company in both remediation and plant growth.”
Supporting Ontario’s Agri-Food Strategy
The GOAH initiative supports OMAFRA’s Grow Ontario strategy, which aims to increase the creation and adoption of innovations for the agri-food sector to enhance competitiveness, grow market opportunities, and strengthen the sector against future disruptions. BioNorth’s products contribute to these broader goals by improving soil health, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers, and helping farmers meet sustainability targets, strengthening the reliability and efficiency of the province’s food supply.
“Our microbes offer a natural way to support plant growth while reducing inputs. We’re helping farmers improve their ROI and environmental footprint,” says Kivisto.
By leveraging expertise through The Engine, GOAH helped accelerate BioNorth’s commercialization efforts. The critical access to mentorship, regulatory guidance, and industry connections were instrumental in helping the company reach key milestones.
“Bioenterprise and The Engine are a fabulous resource,” Kivisto says. “They’re quick to respond, very knowledgeable, and great at helping connect us with the right people to grow our business.”
With more trials on the horizon, BioNorth Solutions is just getting started. Backed by science, rooted in sustainability, and driven by data, this northern Ontario company is proving that when it comes to innovation, geography is no barrier to global impact. It’s an advantage.
The Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub and Bioenterprise Canada are supported by the Governments of Canada and Ontario through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a 5-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Learn more about Bioenterprise Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine.
Learn more about the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).