Cintech and AG Bio-Centre launch CAMPUS V, Quebec’s only incubator dedicated entirely to plant proteins

CINTECH AGROALIMENTAIRE AND AG-BIO CENTER ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF CAMPUS V, QUEBEC’S FIRST START-UP INCUBATOR ENTIRELY DEDICATED TO PLANT PROTEINS. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, THE TWO COMPANIES AIM TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF FOOD IN QUEBEC AND PROMOTE FOOD SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THIS WILL BE DONE BY SUPPORTING COMPANIES DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS BASED ON PLANT PROTEINS, AN INITIATIVE THAT IS PART OF THE FUTURE PLANT PROTEIN CENTER OF EXPERTISE.

CAMPUS V is a start-up incubator and gas pedal that will enable companies that have developed a plant-based protein product to take it a step further and develop new markets. Selected companies will benefit from comprehensive support provided by a team of seasoned professionals from Cintech agroalimentaire and AG-Bio Centre. Incubates will have access to the expertise of AG-Bio Centre, which has been serving innovative companies for over 20 years, and Cintech agroalimentaire, as well as to a host of state-of-the-art equipment dedicated to plant proteins. This equipment was acquired thanks to financial support totalling $3,840,000 from Canada Economic Development, positioning Cintech as an avant-garde player in the sector.

How CAMPUS V works
For its first cohort starting in January 2023, CAMPUS V will offer support to 10 companies. To be eligible, companies must have developed an innovative plant-based protein product, want to take the product further to develop new markets, and wish to benefit from comprehensive, personalized support offered jointly by the Cintech agroalimentaire and AG-Bio Centre teams.

This personalized support includes :

• A comprehensive training program;
• Personalized support from a multidisciplinary team;
• A development and design department to scale up the product;
• Mentoring and a dynamic network of incubatees, enabling exchanges,
  collaboration and mutual support.

Funding
CAMPUS V is made possible thanks to the financial support of numerous partners and funding programs. Among others, Cintech agroalimentaire and AG-Bio Centre have received from LOJIQ – Les Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec a financial allowance of $5,750 per incubatee meeting LOJIQ’s eligibility criteria. For the first cohort of 10 incubates, the total amount of the envelope is $57,500. To be eligible for financial support from LOJIQ, incubatees must be between 18 and 35 years of age, have Canadian citizenship or permanent residency, or a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) with a valid work permit, live in Quebec and hold a valid Quebec health insurance card (RAMQ).

CAMPUS V will be announcing further funding and partnerships in the near future.

“We’re proud that our partnership with AG-Bio Centre has come to fruition with the establishment of the first incubator entirely dedicated to plant proteins in Quebec. CAMPUS V has been designed to accelerate the growth and success of incubated companies, while promoting food autonomy in Quebec. The numerous state-of-the-art facilities acquired thanks to financial support from Canada Economic Development enable us to offer personalized support, all with a view to maximizing the value of co-products and minimizing waste.
Jean Lacroix, President and CEO, Cintech agroalimentaire

“We’re delighted to be involved in the creation of an incubator that, for the first time in Quebec, offers such a comprehensive service, combining personalized support from the AG-Bio Centre team with product development and design from Cintech. This is perfectly in line with AG-Bio Centre’s mission to offer a turnkey service to companies to maximize their success in the plant protein market”.
Maxime Jean, General Manager, AG-Bio Centre