Natural Products Canada (NPC) has announced an investment of $1.7 million into seven Canadian startups producing innovative bio-based and natural products.
The startups are:
- Chinova Bioworks — Has developed a natural antimicrobial ingredient derived from cranberries to help extend the shelf life of food and beverages. The company will receive $350,000 from NPC to gain regulatory approvals and distribute commercial samples to prospective customers.
- Henri Nutrition — Develops clean-label, allergen-free plant-based snacks that provide a good source of protein. NPC has invested $337,392 to support the company’s scale-up efforts.
- ALT-PRO Advantage — Creates pet food with alternative proteins and allergen-free formulas. The products contain a proprietary microalgae ingredient as a natural, sustainable source of essential nutrients. The company will receive $75,000 from NPC.
- BioSun Solutions — Has developed a herbal biofungicide to provide natural, safe and effective protection for crops such as tomatoes. The company will receive $283,629 in capital to support trials to validate safety and efficacy.
- Black & Blue Foods — The creator of Pain Punch, a beverage for pain relief and inflammation. NPC’s $19,400 contribution will be used to complete market, financial, and regulatory planning for the product.
- Magna Engineering Services — Has developed a nature-based wastewater treatment module to help rural communities mitigate drought. A $350,000 investment from NPC will support the demonstration module.
- Tersa Earth Innovations — A startup working to revolutionize mining with technology that recovers valuable metals and remediates water, ensuring sustainable resource extraction. The company has received $350,000 from NPC.
“Investment in a stronger Canada”
The seven companies are all recipients of NPC’s Commercialization Programs, designed to accelerate the path to market. The programs focus on three areas to help companies attract partners and investors — product validation & scaling, talent, and competitive strategy.
Called Proof of Concept, Access to Talent, and Fast Track to Financing, NPC’s programs provide startups with up to $350,000 in support. NPC works with the companies as a “strategic angel” throughout the application process, providing guidance and resources from its network of over 4000 investors, industry leaders, and experts.
In previous years, NPC has invested in startups working on innovations such as biodegradable cleaning products, whole-cut seafood alternatives, and insect repellants made without synthetic ingredients. The latest investments bring NPC’s total contributions to $10.6 million across 88 opportunities in the Canadian bioeconomy.
“NPC’s contribution to these companies is an investment in a stronger Canada,” said Shelley King, CEO of Natural Products Canada. “The work we do to develop and de-risk these opportunities ensures Canada can meet the demand for innovative, bio-based solutions that address global challenges such as climate change, food security, and chronic health issues.”
