George Brown College’s Food Innovation and Research Studio (FIRSt) now has the potential to share its expertise with businesses across Canada thanks to a new partnership with an agri-tech network.
FIRSt signed a three-year memorandum of understanding with Bioenterprise, an agricultural tech engine with 15 years’ experience driving innovation and business growth within Canada’s agricultural sector. Together, they plan to create opportunities for innovation and to promote Canada’s food and agri-tech sectors.
“As a Technology Access Centre, our mission is to help de-risk innovation for growth-oriented companies in the food and beverage sector. By partnering with Bioenterprise Canada, we can broaden our support of the innovation pipeline from agriculture to consumer-packaged goods,” said Dan Reilly, Senior Manager at FIRSt. “Their robust national network will let us better serve clients as well as raise awareness in the agriculture sector of the services available to help them develop new products and diversify their businesses.
FIRSt specializes in helping small to medium-size businesses develop and test new products and get them onto store shelves, taking ideas from concept to commercialization. The research team often works with businesses in the Greater Toronto Area. This partnership means FIRSt now has the potential to reach businesses across the country.
“The Food Innovation and Research Studio will further expand the Engine’s reach into food and beverage product development support and add new depth to our national network of resources and experts,” said Bioenterprise Canada CEO Dave Smardon. “This new partnership is another important step in building a connected Canadian ecosystem that can help us realize the potential of the national food and agri-tech sector.”
