Success Stories

Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario Spotlight Series

With the support of FedDev Ontario we are accelerating the growth of SMEs on the innovation track across Eastern Ontario.

Muskoka Cabinet Company

State-of the art residential and commercial cabinetry manufacturer providing a flexible product line through environmentally conscious manufacturing practices.

Team Eagle Ltd.

A world leading provider of equipment and software for airfield management and maintenance.

Hummingbird Chocolate Makers

Rooted in traditional 18th century style chocolate making techniques, but modernized through their own innovative and industrious style.

Dynacast

Dedicated to designing, building, manufacturing, and delivering quality die cast components.

Heideman Forest Services

A leader in the practice and promotion of sustainable forestry.

Screaming Power

Mobile energy monitoring, reporting and management.

Food Cycle Science

Food scraps to garden gold!

Advonex International

Renewable bio-based products making for a better world.

Ross Video

Powering video productions for billions of global viewers daily!

Click below to learn more about our innovative client’s throughout Eastern Ontario.

Canadiana Cabinets

Design, building and installation cabinetry services.
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Centre & Main Chocolate

Artisan chocolate company, prioritizing use of local ingredients.
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Crews

A growing freight rail service company.
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Dancing Bee

Market leader for commercial and residential beekeeping equipment.
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Eagle Aerospace

Enhancing the safety and efficiency in airfield operations.
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Fan$aves

Mobile app giving fans discounts and deals.
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Grain Discovery

An online marketplace leveraging blockchain technology.
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Graphic Packaging

Design and manufacturing of packaging for commercial products.
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The Market & Smør

Fresh food market, providing quality produce.
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Microfactory Co-operative

A producers co-operative.
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The Power Collective Inc.

The evolution of renewable energy.
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Riverwood Acoustics

Handcrafted solid wooden home wireless speakers.
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Ruebel

Simplifying traveling for frequent flyers.
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Saucy Dotty’s

Local homemade gourmet sauce.
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Tabbed Tape Strip Corp..

Preferred supplier to the automotive and bonding industries.
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Triangle Fluid Controls

Innovative fluid sealing and pump protection products.
READ MORE

True Saffron

The most expensive spice in the world.
READ MORE

Walton Wood Farm

Clean Beauty Products and Personal Care.
READ MORE

Canadiana Cabinets

canadianacabinets.ca

HOME BASE: Peterborough, Ontario
CEDP INVESTMENT: $100,000 TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT: $274,000

A family owned and operated manufacturer. Producing custom Kitchen Cabinets, Vanities, Built-ins, Range hoods and accessories. Supplying to dealers across Ontario, local contractors, and homeowners. The firm provides design, building and installation cabinetry services.

We appreciate all the help that Northumberland CFDC offered us throughout the application process. They were terrific to work with and gave us so much support. This project gave us the opportunity to add innovative technology in place of highly skilled, physically demanding labour, while still maintaining job security and meeting our high-quality standards. We have already had the opportunity to work with others in the community using this machinery and look forward to additional relationships with local businesses in the future.

Ian Barker

Canadiana Cabinets Ltd.

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Finishing facilities upgrades with the installation of new innovative painting equipment. Allowing the Finishing department to utilize a more efficient process. This project spans across the communities of Cavan Monaghan, Peterborough, Northumberland.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Eastern Ontario have been:

2 NEW Full time jobs created and 15 jobs maintained.
2 NEW partnerships formed.
2 NEW process innovations implemented.

Centre & Main Chocolate Co.

centreandmainchocolate.com

HOME BASE: Warkworth, Ontario
NCFDC Program: EODP
CEDP INVESTMENT: $5,000 | TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT: $15,106

An award-winning artisan chocolate company based in Warkworth, Ontario. Hand crafting their creations in small batches, prioritizing the use of local ingredients, sourced directly from farmers and food producers. This results in an innovative line of chocolates of remarkable quality that reflect and celebrate a ‘taste of place’.

With Northumberland CFDC’s support, I was able to get a grant that allowed me to purchase a freeze dryer. I can now source ingredients from local farmers’ markets and freeze-dry them myself. This not only allows me to support local farmers and food makers, but also to develop new chocolate flavours in a way that would be impossible otherwise. This has allowed me to stand out in my business.

Angela Roest

Founder, Centre & Main Chocolate Company

PROJECT SUMMARY:

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Northumberland County have been:

2 Full time jobs maintained.
8 NEW products commercialized.
Many NEW partnerships formed.
1 NEW process innovation implemented.

CREWS – Canadian Rail Equipment Works and Services Inc.

crewsrail.com

HOME BASE: Johnstown, Ontario
CEDP INVESTMENT: $100,000 TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT: $1,500,000

A growing freight rail service company offering railcar storage, switching services, and transloading services, among other freight rail support.

With Northumberland CFDC’s support, I was able to get a grant that allowed me to purchase a freeze dryer. I can now source ingredients from local farmers’ markets and freeze-dry them myself. This not only allows me to support local farmers and food makers, but also to develop new chocolate flavours in a way that would be impossible otherwise. This has allowed me to stand out in my business.

Clayton Jones

Founder and President, CREWS

PROJECT SUMMARY:
The development and opening of a new railyard located in Johnstown, Ontario. This new site is being developed in a four phase program, with this project focusing on Phase I. Phase I of the Johnstown Railyard offers storage services with a capacity for 230 railcars. Phase II is now operational with an additional storage capacity of 300 railcars and now moving onto phase III of the project. This project spans across the communities of Johnstown, Prescott and Cardinal.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Eastern Ontario have been:

5 NEW Full time jobs created and 5 jobs maintained.
25 NEW partnerships formed.

Dancing Bee Equipment

dancingbeeequipment.com

HOME BASE: Port Hope, Ontario
RIIEO INVESTMENT: $65,000 TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT: $367,000

Market leader for commercial and residential beekeeping equipment, medication, safety gear and training, with a mission to help grow apiaries in a cost-effective, profitable way.

With Northumberland CFDC’s support, I was able to get a grant that allowed me to purchase a freeze dryer. I can now source ingredients from local farmers’ markets and freeze-dry them myself. This not only allows me to support local farmers and food makers, but also to develop new chocolate flavours in a way that would be impossible otherwise. This has allowed me to stand out in my business.

Todd Kalisz

CEO/Owner, Dancing Bee Inc

PROJECT SUMMARY:
This investment with support the purchase and installation of a new innovative extraction which will allow Dancing Bee to efficiently process a higher volume of honey. As the only provider in Ontario with this technology, Dancing Bee will be able to scale their business to meet increased demand and capitalize on new sales opportunities.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Eastern Ontario have been:

4 NEW Full time jobs created and 6 jobs maintained.
2 NEW Part time jobs created and 2 jobs maintained.
2 NEW partnerships formed.
Global markets accessed within the United States.

Eagle Aerospace

team-eagle.ca

HOME BASE: Campbellford, Ontario
EODP INVESTMENT: $40,000 TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT: $84,006

Eagle Aerospace is a highly-innovative aviation company dedicated to developing and commercializing advanced solutions that enhance the safety and efficiency in airfield operations around the world.

We couldn’t have done things as quickly as we’ve been able to with the help and support of Northumberland CFDC. The support of Northumberland CFDC allowed us to accelerate the development of disruptive technology that will have significant impact on the landing safety of aircraft on a global scale.

Paul Cudmore

COO, Eagle Aerospace

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Research and development of a cloud based aviation platform to improve aircraft landing safety.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Northumberland County have been:

3 NEW Full time jobs maintained.
2 NEW partnerships formed.
4 NEW process innovations implemented.
Global markets accessed within Europe, United States, Asia and India.

FanSaves

fansaves.com

HOME BASE: Cornwall, Ontario
N1M INVESTMENT: $25,000

Mobile app that gives fans of teams and organizations discounts and deals from the sponsors of their favourite teams. A digital coupon book that you can access for free! Winner of RC100 2019 $100,000 technology startup competition.

We loved our experience at Venture13 and everyone we have been working with through the N1M program is exceptional. The N1M program has truly helped propel our business into 2019. We feel so lucky to have been selected as a recipient of this grant.

Shannon Ferguson

CEO, FanSaves

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Launch FanSaves app into two markets, advance app design and marketing plan.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Eastern Ontario have been:

16 NEW partnerships formed.
3 NEW jobs created and 2 jobs maintained.
1 NEW product commercialized.
Global market expansion to the United States

Tabbed Tape-Strip Corp.

tabbedtape.com

HOME BASE: Haliburton, Ontario
NCFDC Program: RIIEO Regional Stream
RIIEO INVESTMENT: $100,000 TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT: $200,000

This project was very important to us and the future success of our manufacturing business. Small manufacturing operations can be difficult to build and remain relevant in current industrial climates. Add a rural location to this and it could be extremely hard to compete. With the funding that was provided through the ‘Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario’ to purchase a computerized cutting machine, we are able to increase our product line and command more of the market share. ”
“We would like to extend our deepest thanks and appreciation for all the help and guidance throughout this process. Without these programs small business would not be able to compete in the market place today. We are extremely happy with the amazing service, friendliness and professionalism by all.

Michael McGee

President, Tabbed Tape Strip Corp.

PROJECT SUMMARY:
The project supported the purchase and installation of a fully automated and computerized web cutting system. The new innovative equipment facilitates in-house custom tabbing, opening new markets and negating the need to outsource this business.

This project spans across the communities of Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes and the Peterborough region.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results within Eastern Ontario are:

2 NEW Full time jobs created and 5 jobs maintained.
3 NEW markets accessed.

Success Story to date:
The equipment is producing excellent quality and precision parts, resulting in increased, productivity, expanded product line and new business.

Saucy Dotty’s

saucydottys.com

HOME BASE: Brighton, Ontario
NCFDC Program: EODP
CEDP INVESTMENT: $5,000 TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT: $18,242

I have to thank Northumberland CFDC and the Agrifood Fund for everything, and I still do. I was very fortunate – they did so much for me. I can’t say it any other way.

Dorothy Worobetz

Founder, Saucy Dotty’s

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Commercialization of new product sauces and packaging developed at the Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre. Marketing and promotion support

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Northumberland County have been:

1 NEW Full time job created
4 NEW products commercialized.
1 NEW process innovation implemented.
12 NEW partnerships formed.
Market expansion into the GTA

Ruebel

ruebelgear.com

HOME BASE: Rockland, Ontario
NCFDC Program: N1M
N1M INVESTMENT: $30,000

A start up luggage company, simplifying travel by developing and retailing products that streamline the packing and unpacking process for frequent travellers. This innovation allows the luggage to effectively become a portable closet, enabling travellers to transfer clothes directly from their closest into the luggage and eliminating the need to fold clothes.

Launching a startup company and leaping into a second career as an entrepreneur with the multi-faceted backing of Northumberland CFDC is one vital key to my success.

Spencer Selhi

CEO, Ruebel

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Specifications of the Ruebel carry-on were developed, engineered, tested, and refined to produce an innovative and compliant travel product – permanently improving the travel experience.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Eastern Ontario have been:

1 NEW Full time job created and 1 job maintained.
1 NEW product commercialized.
Many NEW partnerships formed.

Grain Discovery

graindiscovery.com

HOME BASE: Wellington, Ontario
N1 INVESTMENT: $25,000

Grain Discovery is changing the way the agricultural supply chain interacts with each other and how consumers regain trust and confidence in their food origination story by building a digital ecosystem addressing this growing disconnect between farmers, intermediaries and consumers. Price opacity, traceability and general supply chain inefficiencies have long been industry pain points, and blockchain technology allows efficiency in contract settlement, security and to track authenticity and source of origin as a commodity moves through the supply chain.

The N1M investment has been invaluable to our growth as a small business… it allows a small business to focus their early capital towards technology build out and development…

Rory O’Sullivan

CEO, Grain Discovery

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Recruitment of additional employees, commerce soy traceability pilot and additional pilots and complete integration with S&H ware vendors.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Eastern Ontario have been:

Hired a computer science graduate from Trent University
Grain Discovery travelled around North America to engage new and existing stakeholders, with demos and presentations. These trips also enabled code share, payment systems and instructions with other partnering companies.
Grain Discovery successfully partnered with Canadian Seed Growers Association and Grain Farmers of Ontario to test food traceability with a pilot (April 2019) that uses blockchain to track locally produced soybean seed through production and processing, ending with freshly packed tofu hitting grocery store shelves.
Integrating Grain Discovery marketplace into local grain elevators software in Eastern Ontario allowing grain elevators to interact with their farmer client’s for efficiently regarding price discovery and contract management.

Graphic Packaging

graphicpkg.com

HOME BASE: Cobourg, Ontario
RIIEO INVESTMENT: $50,000 TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT: $725,000

Leading company in the design and manufacturing of packaging for commercial products. GPI manufactures paperboard and folding cartons for a wide range of popular consumer goods, particularly for food service, beverage and packaged food customers.

The RIIEO project will allow the Cobourg plant to add necessary capacity, support anticipated growth and add to our Cobourg workforce. The resulting economies of scale will also help to increase our competitiveness in the North American marketplace.

Alain Levac

Plant Manager, Graphic Packaging

PROJECT SUMMARY:
This investment will enable its Cobourg plant to invest this support into the addition of manufacturing capital supporting a consumer preference shift from single use plastic and Styrofoam containers to recyclable and compostable paperboard packaging. Allowing for product innovation and diversity to their current product portfolio and position them to compete and service growing client market needs within both Canada and the United States.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Eastern Ontario have been:

11 NEW Full time jobs created and 130 jobs maintained.
1 NEW partnership formed.

Riverwood Acoustics

riverwoodacoustics.com

HOME BASE: Renfrew, Ontario
N1M INVESTMENT: $30,000

Handcrafted solid wooden home wireless speakers, engineered to produce an unparalleled sound while being a visual masterpiece. Using 100% reclaimed birch Riverwood to create a natural acoustic response. The wood used grew over 300 years ago in a pristine environment. Resulting in wood that is stronger, denser, and tighter-grained which gives the speakers an unrivaled tone and unmatched beauty.

Big thank you to the Northumberland CFDC. So much support infrastructure to get Riverwood to the next level. What a great program to help us with production.

Ben Seaman

CEO, Riverwood Acoustics

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Marketing/outreach development paired with inventory and supply chain productivity.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Eastern Ontario have been:

1 NEW partnerships formed.
1 NEW job created and 3 jobs maintained.
1 NEW product commercialized

The Power Collective Inc.

thepowercollective.ca

HOME BASE: Kingston, Ontario
CEDP INVESTMENT: $100,000 | TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT: $379,010

Tackling the challenges of climate change by developing practical and environmentally sympathetic sustainable energy solutions.

This is a wonderful program that supports partnership development in rural Eastern Ontario. Without the support of CEDP, our commercialization would have been greatly delayed. Working with Northumberland CFDC has been fantastic. With their help, we were able to identify our current manufacturer; if they had not provided us with a list of companies and contacts, we would never have found our current Belleville based manufacturer.

Christa Wallbridge

CEO, The Power Collective Inc.

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Commercialization and manufacturing of patented award-winning technology – the RidgeBlade® small wind turbine system and supporting product portfolio for both commercial and residential use. The RidgeBlade product portfolio provides a simple and effective way for harnessing wind power through an environmentally conscious sustainable energy solution to address climate change. This project spans across the communities of Frontenac, Prince Edward County and Lennox Addington.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Eastern Ontario have been:

3 NEW Full time jobs created and 3 jobs maintained.
3 NEW products commercialized.
4 NEW partnerships formed, specifically with the Government of Canada resulting in a product install with the Department of National Defence.
National market expansion to Nunavut and Global markets accessed within Europe, Africa and South America.

Microfactory Co-operative

microfactorycoop.com

HOME BASE: Cobourg, Ontario
NCFDC Program: N1M
N1M INVESTMENT: $24,000

A producers co-operative, dedicated to scaling up member hardware start-ups, and providing prototyping, design and custom manufacturing services to our clients. Providing a variety of mechanical, electronic and software services.

The CFDC were instrumental in our journey of developing our unique business model, and in connecting us with financial and equipment resources to be able to accelerate our growth.

Alex Papanicolaou

Director and Lead Designer, Microfactory Co-operative

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Establish a for-profit producers’ cooperative. The intent of this initiative is to share the costs of prototyping, engineering and low-volume custom manufacturing (labour and capital costs) at the Venture13 MakerLab, and to utilize the cooperative model as an advanced governance structure as well as an innovative platform for startups to scale up together—effectively leveraging investment, funding and partnerships for growth.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Eastern Ontario have been:

5 NEW Full time jobs created.
8 NEW partnerships formed.

The Market & Smør

themarketsmor.com

HOME BASE: Cobourg, Ontario
NCFDC Program: CEDP

The Market & Smør is downtown Cobourg’s fresh market. Providing quality produce, healthy to-go foods, and hard to find items using a zero-food waste model.

The business model we proposed is not one that has been proven in North America. The concept of multiple businesses under one roof does not fit the typical retail matrix. It requires some people to think outside the box, which I found they did at the Northumberland CFDC. They made us think – really think about different things we had not necessarily thought of in our business plan.

Lucas Cleveland

Owner, The Market & Smør

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Supporting the start-up and launch of this new downtown business on Cobourg’s main street.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Northumberland County have been:

12 NEW full time job created and 12 job maintained.
15 NEW community partnerships formed.

True Saffron

truesaffron.ca

HOME BASE: Warkworth, Ontario
EODP INVESTMENT: $5,000 | TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT: $15,312

Producing the most expensive spice in the world, known as Red Gold, from certified organic bulbs in untreated, unsprayed, pristine land amidst the rolling hills of Northumberland County. The saffron crop was evaluated to be among the very best in the world, Grade I. The Saffron exceeded the norms and now proudly surpasses the very highest rating awarded.

Northumberland CFDC allows people from Northumberland County to really step up. It’s a really important program. Without it, we would still be just producers – which is wonderful, but it’s just not enough to sustain a business. The Northumberland CFDC has literally been transformative. It has benefited us 100%. They are very supportive – if you have any questions, you can just ask, and there’s never any surprises or hidden paperwork.

Martin Albert

Owner, True Saffron

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Exploration and commercialization of value-added saffron products, including saffron syrup, infusion saffron jelly, mustard, hot sauce, organic Ontario Apple Cider Vinegar, White wine vinegar.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Eastern Ontario have been:

1 NEW Part time jobs created and 2 Full time jobs maintained.
9 NEW value-added products commercialized.
4 NEW partnerships formed.
9 NEW process innovations implemented.

Triangle Fluid Controls

trianglefluid.com

HOME BASE: Belleville, Ontario
NCFDC Program: RIIEO Regional Stream
RIIEO INVESTMENT: $100,000 TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT: $408,493

We are very thankful for the support received through the Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario and feel the service provided by the CFDC in relation to our project and program was excellent.

Mike Boyd

General Manager, Triangle Fluid Controls

PROJECT SUMMARY:
The project supported the successful adoption of advanced technology for the fabrication of semi-metallic gaskets. The new equipment purchased has allowed the full integration of a Semi-Metallic Gasket program resulting in the production of higher quality gaskets and expanded sales and new market opportunities. This project spanned across the communities of Belleville, Quinte and Northumberland.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results within Eastern Ontario have been:

4 NEW Full time jobs created and 6 jobs maintained.
1 NEW process commercialized.
1 New product commercialized
1 NEW market accessed.

Walton Wood Farm

waltonwoodfarm.com

HOME BASE: Bailieboro, Ontario
NCFDC Program: CEDP
CEDP INVESTMENT: $100,000 | TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT: $214,964

A personal care company offering over 80 unique, high quality and consciously crafted products made with sustainable ingredients, helping to protect the environment for future generations.

We are grateful for all the wonderful support we received from the Northumberland CFCD staff. They are truly amazing.

Leslie Scott

CSC, Walton Wood Farm

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Full product rebranding, commercialization of 35 new products, and packaging & display innovation. With a result of business expansions into new local and international markets and productivity improvements across warehousing, product management and sales.

KEY PROJECT IMPACTS
Through this project results achieved within Eastern Ontario have been:

4 NEW Full time jobs created and 4 jobs maintained.
35 NEW products commercialized & rebranding
Many NEW partnerships formed throughout the community.
Global markets accessed in Australia, UK and the Middle East.

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