LumeSmart Inc. approached the Business and Commercialization Innovation Centre (BCIC) at Niagara College Research and Innovation to undertake market research and to understand the current market conditions in the greenhouse growing space.
Market research lays the foundation for promoting new vermichar and biochar products
To understand how Terra Optima Labs can best position themselves in the market, Niagara College’s Business & Commercialization Innovation Centre completed secondary research to uncover key insights of the horticulture and greenhouse industry.
A ‘FitBit’ for plants, EarthOne turned to BCIC to fill the gap in marketing
While many people love plants and spend good money on them, we may not all be plant experts. You might find yourself asking yourself, when did I water that plant last? Does it need more light? Should I add more soil? That’s why Sidhanth (Sid) Pereira, Founder & Head of Product at EarthOne, knew the market needed a product like this. While Sid was confident in his product, but knew, to be successful, they were going to need someone to help them with marketing. That’s where the Business & Commercialization Innovation Centre (BCIC) came in to help to give them the direction they needed.
Recycling used stonewool creates revenue for growers and lessens environmental impact
Grodan, a manufacturer of stone wool, also known as mineral wool used in commercial greenhouse production, recognized the need to expand current reuse opportunities for its products, and to make these recycling opportunities more readily available in North America.
Controlled Environment Production of Hydroponic Fodder
Intravision Light Systems, a leading provider of high-fidelity controlled environment and LED lighting systems, partnered with University of Guelph’s Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility (CESRF) to develop new knowledge and methodologies to optimize the production of fodder crops in controlled environments.
A new approach to controlled environment farming
Ontario-based AgricUltra Advancements has developed a turn-key solution for vertical farming: a self-contained unit controlling every aspect of production from water and nutrients to heat, humidity and run-off… Through the Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN), AgricUltra has teamed up with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre to develop a prototype cradle that brings this technology to indoor vertical farming.
App tracks greenhouse energy to determine efficiencies
360 Energy has been working on a secure cloud-based software that can collect energy-related data directly from greenhouse control systems. David Arkell, President and CEO of 360 Energy, turned to Niagara College’s Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC) team to determine how to make the software appealing to greenhouse growers worldwide.
Validating a new plant-growing technology in the greenhouse
A Toronto-based mining company, International Zeolite Inc., has been working to build a North American market for its environmentally friendly NEREA® product. The technology directly embeds nutrients in the honeycomb-like zeolite mineral, making it absorbent.
Creating a better indoor microgarden pod for home gardeners
Biotechnology company Plantaform Technology Inc. has a solution for budding home indoor gardeners – a prototype microgarden pod that will allow consumers to easily grow a variety of herbs and leafy green vegetables even in a small living space.
“Pivotal” research for new market
Agricultural company Northern Hemp Specialists Ltd. works with clients on finding organic solutions for growth and pathogen resistance for all plants, trees, ornamental flowers and even vineyards. More recently, they’ve found a customer base from medical and recreational cannabis growers, a sector that requires chemical and solvent-free organic soil products.