Partnership to strengthen agri-food innovation in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley
Guelph, ON, March 2, 2026 – Nova Scotia’s Valley Regional Enterprise Network (Valley REN) has joined forces with Bioenterprise Canada to become the newest partner in Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine (The Engine).
The partnership will connect Valley REN’s collaborative, regionally driven economic development network with The Engine’s national commercialization platform to accelerate agri-food and agri-tech innovation in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley.
“Valley REN’s deep regional relationships and sector leadership make them an outstanding addition to The Engine,” says Dave Smardon, Bioenterprise Canada CEO. “Their commitment to collaborative economic development and sector growth aligns perfectly with our mission to support commercialization and scale-up across Canada’s agri-food innovation ecosystem.”
Valley REN is one of Nova Scotia’s seven regional enterprise networks, carrying out the Annapolis Valley’s economic development strategy on behalf of its partners, including Glooscap First Nation, the Municipality of the County of Kings, West Hants Regional Municipality, the Towns of Middleton, Berwick, Kentville, and Wolfville, and the province of Nova Scotia. The region is one of Canada’s top fruit-growing areas and is widely recognized for its award-winning wineries, rich agricultural land, and the world’s highest tides.
“We believe economic development is most effective when it is collaborative, coordinated, and rooted in shared value,” says Valley REN CEO Emily Boucher. “Partnering with Bioenterprise allows us to better connect regional entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners to national-level resources, while ensuring that innovation activity in the Valley is integrated into Canada’s broader agri-food innovation landscape.”
The collaboration between the two organizations will enhance Valley REN’s sector development efforts by expanding access to sector intelligence, mentorship, and market-ready networks. It will also foster stronger linkages between regional ecosystem partners and Canada’s broader agri-food innovation system, helping reduce duplication, improve coordination, and drive more scalable, market-driven innovation.
Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine is a national commercialization platform led by Bioenterprise Canada that brings together accelerators, incubators, post-secondary institutions, and government and industry partners to support innovation in the agri-food sector.
About Bioenterprise Canada
Bioenterprise is Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, bringing more than 20 years of industry experience and a national network of partners together to support the growth of innovative agri-food businesses. Its programs and services help Canadian companies commercialize new products, attract investment, and accelerate growth in domestic and global markets.
About Valley Regional Enterprise Network
Valley REN is one of seven regional enterprise networks in Nova Scotia, delivering collaborative regional economic development in the Annapolis Valley. Working on behalf of Glooscap First Nation, six municipalities and the Province of Nova Scotia, Valley REN provides business support services, addresses regional gaps, and leads major sector development initiatives to unlock growth opportunities and strengthen long-term economic resilience.
For more information:
Dave Smardon, Bioenterprise Canada, dave.smardon@bioenterprise.ca
Emily Boucher, Valley Regional Enterprise Network, eboucher@valleyren.ca