Two Erin
businesses are among 24 in southern Ontario to receive seed funding last year to
expand their operations, access new markets, attract investment and create jobs
in the region.
Heartwood Farm
and Cidery in Ospringe and Fanjoy Restaurant in Hillsburgh each received
$30,000 grants, in the third round of funding from the Bioenterprise
Corporation and its partner, Innovation
Guelph. Erin pet food company
Bold Canine received a first-round grant in 2016.
Recipients use
the money, along with their matching funds, for branding and marketing; prototyping
and product piloting; business-to-business (B2B) sales, business development,
process optimization, and to help advance market opportunities.
“Seed funding
and mentorship can play a crucial role in assisting early-stage businesses,”
said Dave Smardon, Bioenterprise Corporation President and CEO.
Bioenterprise
is a national, non-profit agency designed to boost the agricultural technology
sector. The Federal
Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) has
provided Bioenterprise with up to $4.84 million for the program.
Funding is
delivered through Innovation Guelph’s Fuel Injection program, assisting
start-ups and promoting the growth of small and medium-sized businesses.
Support services including mentoring/coaching, market and competitive analysis,
financial and marketing strategy, investment preparation, and introductions to
strategic partners.
At a recent
Innovation Showcase, Bioenterprise and Innovation Guelph announced that the 32
recipient companies from the first round of seed funding have raised more than
$21 million in follow-up private investment, generated more than
$6 million in revenues, created more than 45 jobs, and launched more than
50 products, processes, and technologies.
The funding
program supports innovative southern Ontario businesses in the agriculture and
agri-food, sustainable and environmental technology, advanced manufacturing and
social innovation sectors.
Brent Klassen
and Val Steinmann started making hard cider at Heartwood Farm last year,
selling three varieties at farmers’ markets and at their retail farm store,
just north of Ospringe on Second Line.
It’s a business
model promoted by Wellington County’s Economic Development Department through the
Taste Real program, encouraging organic farmers and other businesses to welcome
day-tripping city dwellers.
Chef Pam Fanjoy
(a 2015 Chopped Canada winner) is also tapping into the trend, using seasonal
local ingredients for “farm-to-table” cuisine. The Fanjoy restaurant and bar (formerly
Friendly Chef Adventures), just across from the Hillsburgh Community Centre,
offers special activities such as PD day camps for kids, and cooking classes
for kids and adults.
Her experience
as a social worker has led to a Mindfullness Eating course as a support group
for women, and in January and February, a common table Community Luncheon,
Tuesdays, noon to 2 p.m. She also offers a catering service and operates a
retail kitchen store, with fully prepared meals to take home.
“The
partnership between Bioenterprise and Innovation Guelph has been successful in
assisting innovative businesses with early-stage support to help them grow,” said
Anne Toner Fung, Innovation Guelph’s Executive Director.
“We believe it
is to everyone’s benefit when innovative Canadian businesses are able to grow
and create quality jobs,” said Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield, on behalf of
Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and minister
responsible for FedDev Ontario.