Welcome to this week's Sunday Briefing. In this edition:
Xanadu and U of A partner on quantum-powered cancer research
Alberta launches an AI data centre information hub
Alberta researchers study living organisms in wildfire smoke
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Calgary's CBS Bio Platforms receives CFIN funding to scale canola protein extraction
Photo: Canada Food Innovation Network
Calgary-based CBS Bio Platforms has received $99,765 through the Canadian Food Innovation Network's Innovation Booster program, part of a broader $746,627 funding round awarded to eight Canadian foodtech companies. Industry partners will match the funds, bringing the total investment to just over $968,000.
CBS Bio Platforms is scaling a proprietary enzyme-assisted process for recovering high-value protein ingredients from canola meal — a byproduct of canola oil production. The project will optimize extraction efficiency and manufacturing readiness to support the commercialization of Canadian plant-based protein technologies.
"Innovation is about turning scientific breakthroughs into real-world solutions," said Nadeem Akhtar, manager of research and development, and Rob Patterson, VP of innovation and commercialization at CBS Bio Platforms. "This project brings scalable technology and commercial opportunity together to unlock the full potential of canola protein for high-value agri-food applications."
CBS Bio Platforms is one of three companies in the cohort working on physical processing innovations. The other five are using AI to tackle operational challenges including procurement automation, yield optimization, predictive maintenance, plant floor visibility, and supply chain traceability. Among them is Vancouver-based FabriSight Solutions, which received $64,854 to develop an AI-powered computer vision platform for food manufacturing facilities.
"Canadian food businesses are operating in one of the most demanding moments our sector has faced in decades," said Dana McCauley, CEO of the Canadian Food Innovation Network. "The companies in this cohort are building the kinds of tools that the industry needs to implement to become more productive, resilient, and self-reliant."
Since 2021, CFIN's Innovation Booster has awarded more than $7 million to 85 Canadian foodtech companies. CFIN-funded companies have collectively generated more than $90 million in economic impact and created over 355 jobs and co-op placements.
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🤝 Funding, Deals, and Partnerships
Xanadu and University of Alberta partner on quantum-powered cancer research. Researchers hope quantum computing can help develop next-gen photosensitizers for light-based therapies. Betakit
📰 Need To Know
Leading AI development responsibly. Alberta’s government has launched an online information hub and a series of town halls to provide comprehensive information on AI data centre development. Government of Alberta
Alberta researchers are studying the living organisms lurking in wildfire smoke. Research project hopes to better understand the effect of wildfires on your lungs. Betakit