Our Team
Bev Stangeland
Executive Director
(306) 230-5466
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Trenna Brusky (Currently Away on Leave)
Program Manager
Mary Ellen Hodgins
Business Development - BC Region
(604) 461-5697
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BioAccess is the source for business and commercialization support for Western Canada's Functional Food and Natural Health Products (FFNHP) industry.
The first five years are tough for small business - the goal of BioAccess is to help companies over the hurdles to commercialization.
Our Job? We're Helping Business Grow with
- Advice - We provide one-on-one assistance with regulations, finance, and marketing
- Knowledge - We have experience in this industry and work hard to keep you up-to-date on current market opportunities and trends
- Resources - We offer a "Bio" package of online tools specifically designed for FFNHP entrepreneurs and companies
Whether you're a small business just starting out, or a well established company, BioAccess has Canada's best programs and resources to help grow your business from idea to commercial success.
The Industry
The Canadian functional food and natural health product sector has seen continued growth. Results from Statistics Canada's sector surveys (2002, 2004, and 2007) have shown growth in the number of FFNHP firms and in revenues.
More and more we have seen consumers across North America make changes to their diet and rethink their healthcare strategies. Although the reasons are varied, a few consistent patterns have emerged. Consumers have become more health conscious, choosing to improve or sustain their health with more nutritious food, using supplements or functional goods to address issues particularly relevant to them. Additionally, the internet has provided consumers with the ability to access more information on health concerns and potential solutions than ever before.
These changes in attitude have led to more knowledgeable and savvy consumers that have started to focus on prevention and health maintenance. More and more these consumers are looking for natural products and solutions to health issues, a fact that has led to a growing demand for FFNHP products.
Industry Stakeholders
Stakeholders add to the knowledge, resources and advice available to our clients.
National Research Council (NRC)
With development support from NRC, the BioAccess Commercialization Centre opened for business in November 2006. NRC is a leader in scientific and technical research and helps turn ideas and knowledge into new product, processes, and services.
National Research Council - Plant Biotechnology Institute (NRC-PBI)
NRC-PBI is dedicated to plant and crop research. BioAccess is located in the PBI building on the University of Saskatchewan campus and links the research and researchers of PBI to industry clients and vice versa.
National Research Council - Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
IRAP is NRC's internationally renowned program providing technology advice and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. IRAP refers clients to BioAccess or programs and services.
Wellness West
Wellness West is a collaborative partnership amongst Western Canadian federal and western provincial government departments and agencies to assist in the development of an ecomonically viable functional foods, nutraceuticals and natural health sector in Western Canada.
Ag-West Bio Inc.
Ag-West Bio is a membership-based organization in Saskatchewan representing agricultural biotechnology, bioproducts and bioprocesses, and natural health products and functional food sectores.
Bioenterprise Corporation
Bioenterprise is a commercialization agent, established to help promoto the creation, growth and expansion of business in the Agri-Food and Agri-Life Sciences and Bio-Product Industries.
