The University of British Columbia (UBC) and Bioenterprise, Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, have signed a cooperation agreement to support agricultural organizations in commercializing innovative products and services.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will help bring UBC’s research expertise and Bioenterprise’s specialized agri-food expertise, as well as their national innovation and commercialization networks, to small-and-medium sized businesses seeking to gain a foothold in the agricultural sector, including food, industrial, environmental and commercial agri-tech.
The MOU between UBC and Bioenterprise is intended to provide further support for innovation and growth in the agri-food sector in B.C. and beyond. In 2019, B.C. crop and animal production accounted for approximately $3.9 billion in total GDP, and an estimated 55,000 direct jobs in the province. In addition, B.C. exported $3.2 billion in agriculture and agri-food products.
UBC is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems is devoted to finding solutions to address global issues in the areas of nutrition and health, sustainable food systems, and managing our limited resources. The Faculty has identified key priority areas for research, teaching and outreach that include addressing climate change and resilient food systems, and enhancing regional agriculture for sustainable cities. Researchers support knowledge transfer through the BC Agricultural Climate Adaptation Network, the Food and Beverage Innovation Professorship led by Dr. Anubhav Pratap-Singh, BC Food Web, among other initiatives.
Bioenterprise 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 www.bioenterprise.ca to learn more.
For more information:
Karen Lee, UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Karen.lee98@ubc.ca or 604-312-6343
Dave Smardon, Bioenterprise, dave.smardon@bioenterprise.ca or 519-821-2960
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