(London, Ontario) – Fanshawe College’s Centre for Research and Innovation has signed an agreement with Bioenterprise, Canada’s leading agri-tech commercialization accelerator. This partnership combines the resources of two leaders in agricultural and food innovation with the mandate of supporting Canada’s start-up and small to mid-size enterprises to drive economic growth. Bioenterprise will help connect innovative companies from across the country to the technology and resources offered through Fanshawe’s CARIB laboratories.
“This is an opportunity to engage industry and academia in practical projects,” says John Kelly, CIO of Bioenterprise, “We are going to create impactful economic development by decreasing the number of technologies that get caught at the early stages of commercialization, and increasing the number of companies successfully going to market, either domestically or internationally. This will be a great benefit to Ontario’s economy and Canada’s leadership position in agricultural innovation.”
“Fanshawe’s CARIB labs are at the forefront of proof of concept and product testing, two key areas that growing businesses need to achieve success,” says Colin Yates, chair of the Centre for Research and Innovation. “We connect these businesses to the laboratory services, expertise and partners they need to bring their ideas to market. Our work in food innovation is both important to the regional economy and deeply relevant to the global need to produce more food that is more nutritious with less waste.”
London has all the right ingredients for agri-food businesses. As the fastest growing subset of London's manufacturing sector, more than 7,000 people are employed by over 90 companies, including Dr. Oetker, Natra, Original Cakerie, McCormick and Labatt.
"With emerging strengths in health and fermented foods, cannabis and alcoholic beverages, local companies are looking for resources to test new products, expand their markets and disrupt the food industry," says Kapil Lakhotia, president and chief executive officer of the London Economic Development Corporation. "This new partnership is poised to grow London's food and beverage processing sector and support the next generation of food businesses.”
Bioenterprise is developing an unparalleled network for the agricultural innovation space through partnerships with industry giants and academic leaders. This agreement with Fanshawe positions CARIB to deliver new funding opportunities and critical services for Canada’s leading entrepreneurs. Emerging companies focused on agricultural and food innovation can contact Bioenterprise or Fanshawe’s Centre for Research and Innovation to learn more about the services available.
About Fanshawe College
Fanshawe College is one of Ontario’s largest colleges, serving students with a promise to educate, engage, empower and excite. For more than 50 years, Fanshawe has been helping people unlock their potential and achieve success. The College opens up a world of possibilities by offering more than 200 degree, diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs to students from more than 100 countries each year.
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For further information, please contact:
Megan Zinn
Corporate Communications Officer
Fanshawe College
T: 519-452-4504 | C: 519-630-3253
mzinn@fanshawec.ca
