Portable technology for easy identification of insects, food or animal tissue has won the inaugural innovation showcase and pitch competition run by Gryphon’s LAAIR (Leading to the Accelerated Adoption of Innovative Research) at the University of Guelph.
On May 21, a judging panel chose the LifeScanner species identification kit developed by Biolytica Inc. as the $7,500 winner of the innovation pitch. Users can employ the kit to perform DNA identification on the spot to test for food fraud, track organisms, and identify harmful species.
The event, hosted by U of G’s Research Innovation Office, was held during Canadian Innovation Week to celebrate innovators connected to U of G who are developing products and services based on research.
“The Gryphon’s LAAIR program helps U of G researchers launch innovations into the marketplace,” said Malcolm Campbell, vice president (research).
“Having supported more than 50 projects since 2014, Gryphon’s LAAIR funding has turned University knowledge into valuable outputs that have generated new enterprises, enhanced business productivity, created jobs, and improved prosperity and people’s lives.”
We Vitro Inc., which is creating novel plant tissue culture devices for commercial use, received $5,000 as the People’s Choice winner.
The four other pitch teams in the competition were FloNergia Inc., Griffinix, SP Nutraceuticals Inc. and eQcell Inc.
Also on Tuesday, Sherri Cox, executive director of research innovation and knowledge mobilization, announced 10 recipients of $420,000 in Gryphon’s LAAIR grants.
Recipients may use the grants, supported by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, to identify target markets for new products and test concepts with users.
“Developing and bringing new agri-food products, practices and services to market creates jobs, grows our economy and helps farm businesses succeed,” said Ernie Hardeman, provincial minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs.
“By investing in research innovation and commercialization, our government is helping to keep Ontario’s agri-food sector strong and competitive.”