Bioenterprise Canada and Ag-West Bio have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on advancing agri-food and bioscience innovation across Canada.
The partnership will connect Ag-West Bio’s Saskatchewan-based innovation ecosystem with Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, strengthening coordination across regions and helping high-potential companies access capital, expertise and markets.
“Ag-West Bio brings deep expertise in building and supporting innovation ecosystems, along with a strong pipeline of companies and technologies,” says Dave Smardon, CEO of Bioenterprise Canada. “By working together, we can better align regional strengths and provide more seamless support to innovators across the country.”
Ag-West Bio is an economic development agency dedicated to growing innovative agriculture and food bio-businesses in Saskatchewan. Acting as a collaborator, convener and connector, the organization links innovators, researchers, investors and industry partners to accelerate commercialization and support companies from early proof of concept through to readiness for national and global markets.
Through the partnership, Saskatchewan-based innovators will gain expanded access to Bioenterprise’s national network of mentors, advisors, investors and commercialization programs. At the same time, Bioenterprise and its partners will benefit from increased visibility into Saskatchewan’s innovation pipeline, including opportunities emerging from initiatives such as the Global Agri-food Advancement Partnership, Prairie Food Link and the Diverse Field Crops Cluster.
“We are committed to working together as a nation on agri-food and bioscience development,” says Mike Wonnick, interim CEO of Ag-West Bio. “This partnership allows us to connect Saskatchewan’s strong innovation pipeline into a truly national ecosystem to help innovators access capital, expertise and markets regardless of where they are located in Canada.”
The collaboration also responds to sector needs identified through Ag-West Bio’s recent AgBio Saskatchewan needs assessment, which highlights demand for a more connected, coordinated national ecosystem to support innovation, talent development and investment readiness.
Source : Bioenterprises.ca