NIAGARA COLLEGE
NC receives funding to expand support for beverage businesses

More than 20 beverage businesses will get a boost in launching new products in competitive markets thanks to a recent investment in Niagara College (NC)'s Canadian Beverage Innovation Program.

The Canadian Beverage Innovation Program, delivered through NC's Food & Beverage Innovation Centre (FBIC) and Business & Commercialization Innovation Centre (BCIC), is being supported by funding of up to $172,000 through the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).

Brad Barta (Pilot Plant Production Specialist, Food and Beverage Innovation Centre, Niagara College) and Anthony Akoh (Research Associate, FBIC) adjust CO levels in the pilot plant carbonation tanks, ensuring beverage products meet sensory standards, food safety regulations, and maintain consistent shelf life.

This funding will enable NC to support more than 20 beverage-focused small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Canada. Through the program, companies gain access to a full range of supports towards commercialization from technical product development and manufacturing scale-up through FBIC, to market research, competitive analysis, branding strategy, and business advisory services provided by BCIC. The program is supported through shared contributions from both NRC IRAP and participating businesses. Together, these services are designed to accelerate product readiness, reduce risk, and help Canadian businesses successfully launch and grow in competitive markets.

"Only about five per cent of new food and beverage product ideas actually make it to full commercialization," said Paula Reile, Associate Director, BCIC. "That number reflects just how critical it is for entrepreneurs to have access to the right research, branding, and go-to-market strategy early on. Through this program, we're helping clients build strong, scalable products backed by data, design, and demand." 

The Canadian Beverage Innovation Program helps entrepreneurs move beverage ideas from concept to commercialization, including validation of product feasibility, overcoming technical manufacturing challenges, and ensuring products are safe for public consumption.

"This funding allows our applied research and development team to scale supports for beverage innovators across Canada," said Lyndon Ashton, Associate Director, FBIC. "We've found that R&D is increasingly recognized and understood as important by the public and industry alike and this program showcases how applied research can directly support companies in overcoming production challenges, validating their products, and accelerating their path to market."

Business services will support clients in positioning their brands better in competitive markets, providing research-backed marketing, packaging, and customer engagement strategies.

"Support from NRC IRAP empowers our team to help small businesses bring their ideas to life while also providing an invaluable applied learning environment for Niagara College students," said Marc Nantel, PhD, Vice-President, Research, Innovation and Strategic Enterprises, Niagara College. "The Canadian Beverage Innovation Program is a testament to how applied research and innovation can de-risk the path to market and accelerate success for entrepreneurs."

Food and Beverage Innovation Centre (FBIC) team members Lina Farfan Gonzalez, left, and Aaditya Sonalkar, student research assistants, conduct quality checks on a small-batch run of client beverage products. 

The FBIC is located within the Marotta Family Innovation Complex at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and features a HACCP-certified, CFIA- and AGCO-licensed beverage production pilot plant, process optimization and product development labs, a beverage analytical cluster, and Health Canada-approved research spaces for cannabis-infused products. The Centre provides technical services to SMEs across Canada, including formulation, shelf-life testing, regulatory compliance, small-batch processing, and sensory analysis. Since its inception, FBIC has supported hundreds of companies in commercializing innovative food and beverage products. It also offers valuable work-integrated learning opportunities for students in culinary innovation, food science, and biotechnology programs.

BCIC was launched to meet the growing demand for business-focused innovation services that assist SMEs in translating ideas into viable products through feasibility studies, including pricing distribution and promotional planning, as well as branding, product photography, and videography. BCIC has completed projects in sectors such as food and beverage, digital technology, and health. The Centre complements technical work from other NC innovation centres and provides hands-on experience for students in marketing, business strategy, and entrepreneurship.

Project intake is ongoing, with projects expected to run through March 31, 2026. SMEs interested in participating should visit niagaracollege.ca/research and connect with David DiPietro, Business Development Manager, at ddipietro@niagaracollege.ca to ensure proper intake and referral through NRC IRAP's advisor network.

NC's award-winning Research & Innovation division administers research funding through investments from various regional, provincial, and federal agencies. Students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty and staff researchers to assist industry partners' leap forward in the marketplace. Students come from a variety of the College's programs, such as the Commercial Cannabis Production Program, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Culinary Innovation and Food Technology, Business Administration - Marketing, and Computer Programmer.