One way to understand a problem and apply solutions is by talking to other people about it. That’s why Ontario Genomics joined Global Affairs Canada and seven Canadian cellular agriculture and precision fermentation startups on a 3-day discovery mission to the Netherlands in May 2023. The Canadian Cellular Agriculture Delegation included Ontario-based Ardra, Liven Proteins, Biofect Innovations, and Genuine Taste, as well as Alberta’s Ferma Farms and Synergia Biotech, and Quebec’s Opalia.

During our time abroad, we connected with a range of groups in the Dutch cellular agriculture ecosystem that resulted in an important exchange of knowledge and networking. We also hosted a well-attended Canadian ecosystem session at the internal F&A Next conference, moderated by OG with presentations by the delegate companies. A year later, the delegation and startups who made the trip have created new strategic partnerships and sales, were accepted into international accelerator programs and secured over $2M in investments in their companies.

Thanks to Genome Canada’s Interdisciplinary Challenge Teams (ICT) program, Ontario Genomics is also a key contributor to Canada’s biggest cellular agriculture project ever. The 4-year, $10M program includes national and international partners from academia, industry, and not-for-profits. McMaster University is leading the way, with co-leads at the University of Toronto, University of Guelph, and College La Cité, to produce cultivated meat on a large, economical and climate-conscious scale to make sure this kind of food goes from being an exclusive item on the menus of 5-star restaurants, to being a nutritious and affordable food source for people around the world. Notably, the first regulated approval of cultivated Chicken for use in pet food was recently been approved in the United Kingdom. Apparently, the pets are loving it! The size of that particular opportunity can be estimated as 20% of all meat production is used in pet food.