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Program Commits $290,000 to Help Small Businesses Develop and Commercialize Innovative Products and Processes: Eichler

The Manitoba government has selected five small businesses to receive more than $290,000 through the Innovation Growth Program (IGP) to support the development and commercialization of new, innovative products and services, Economic Development and Training Minister Ralph Eichler announced today.

 

“The Innovation Growth Program provides support to businesses that are pursuing innovation and new opportunities, building on Manitoba’s many economic strengths,” said Eichler. “We are investing in five Manitoba companies to help create new jobs and stimulate economic growth in our province.”

 

The latest recipients of the Innovation Growth Program are: 

•Datomar Labs Inc.;

•Agronomix Software Inc.;

•Precision ADM Inc.;

•Push Bar Solutions Limited; and

•Quik-Therm Insulation Solutions.

 

Eichler noted these companies are forecasting the addition of 99 new full-time jobs and $24.9 million of export sales within five years.

 

“Agronomix Software is a global leader in providing software solutions for plant breeding and variety testing for virtually all crops,” said Dr. Dieter Mulitze, CEO, Agronomix Software Inc. “With many trade shows and scientific meetings now going virtual, the Innovation Growth Program will help to fund our presence at these virtual meetings and further commercialize our software solution. This IGP support will increase our market share and spur further growth at Agronomix to hire additional scientific and technical staff in Manitoba.” 

 

“Over the past decade we have been fortunate to work and consult with many of North America’s finest building science organizations. As a result, we have been able to design and develop several physics-based, multi-functional insulation technologies,” said Ted Cullen, principal at Quik-Therm Insulation Solutions Inc., an insulation technology development company. “As a recipient of the Innovation Growth Program for Manitoba, Quik-Therm will be able to finish developing and patenting the composite Matrix Roofing Insulation System.”

 

The Innovation Growth Program launched in June 2019 and provides up to $100,000 in 50-50 cost-shared, non-repayable financial assistance to Manitoba-based small and medium-sized enterprises to assist in developing and commercializing new and innovative products and processes. To date, the province’s total investment of up to $1.4 million for 19 small and medium-size businesses is projected to create nearly 600 jobs within five years, Eichler noted, adding the program is a key element of Manitoba’s Economic Growth Action Plan. 

 

The minister noted Oct. 18 to 24 is Small Business Week, an opportunity to recognize and promote the significant contributions of this sector to the provincial economy, particularly during the response to COVID-19. Small businesses, those that have between one and 99 employees, employ 73 per cent of Manitoba’s workforce and continue to be the most important contributor to job growth in the province, the minister noted.

 

“Manitoba is home to innovative, determined and exceptional entrepreneurs and small business owners,” said Eichler. “As we recognize Small Business Week, we thank them for their contributions to our economy and quality of life and are proud to support their innovation.”

 

For more information about the Innovation Growth Program, visit:

www.gov.mb.ca/jec/busdev/financial/igp/index.html.

 

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