Sudbury, Ont. – March 11, 2021: Bioenterprise, Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, and Collège Boréal have entered into a collaboration to deliver commercialization and innovation services to entrepreneurs in Northern Ontario.
This agreement leverages Bioenterprise’s role as the leading food and agriculture-focused business accelerator in the country and Collège Boréal’s research expertise in agricultural sciences, new agri-food technologies and biodiversity protection.
The new partnership is an excellent example of how collaborations between colleges and the private sector contribute to the vitality of local communities: it will connect startups and early-stage businesses in the region with food and agriculture sector expertise and business acceleration support through Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, Bioenterprise’s national innovation network.
It also opens up new partnership opportunities for Research and Innovation Boréal, the college’s applied research and innovation division, with businesses engaged in cleantech, agri-tech, agri-food, food tech and industrial and commercial agriculture technologies across the region and the country.
Bioenterprise’s relationship manager for Northeastern Ontario, Dieter Valtins, will be based at the college. He is part of the Bioenterprise Northern Ontario team, which also includes Thora Cartlidge, regional manager for Northern Ontario, and Taylor Gynane, business development coordinator, both located in Thunder Bay.
“We’re excited for Bioenterprise to have a physical presence in Sudbury and enhance our capacity to deliver innovation support and business acceleration services in the region,” says Bioenterprise CEO Dave Smardon.
“We also look forward to welcoming Research and Innovation Boréal and local businesses and entrepreneurs to our national innovation network, the Engine, and supporting growth and success in Northern Ontario.”
“Collège Boréal is thrilled to partner with Bioenterprise to strengthen our support for food producers in Northern Ontario,” according to Robin Craig, director of Research and Innovation Boréal.
“With the renewed interest in local food products, we anticipate that Bioenterprise’s presence in the region will open new avenues for applied research to support the region’s growing agri-food sector.”
About Bioenterprise
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 sector-savvy service partner network, Bioenterprise offers a wide range of business expertise and support to its clients, and partnerships with other industries help open doors to new technologies and platforms to help the agri-tech and food sector innovate and grow.
About Collège Boréal
Established in 1995, Collège Boréal is a French-language post-secondary training and learning institution dedicated to the development and growth of communities throughout Ontario.
Collège Boréal offers comprehensive programs and services at 38 sites, including seven campuses, located in 26 communities throughout the province. Since 1995, approximately 120,000 clients across Ontario have benefited from Collège Boréal’s expertise relating to post-secondary education, training programs, immigration and settlement services, and employment services. Collège Boréal has established over 120 articulation agreements with other post-secondary institutions.
According to the key performance indicators recognized by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Collège Boréal holds the top rank in two of the five areas surveyed: graduation rate, and, for a fourth consecutive year, student satisfaction. These results are proof that investing in human capital is Boréal’s strength.
