Bioplastics maker Solegear gets $1.6 million government funding

Canadian bioplastics maker Solegear Bioplastics Inc. has received $1.6 million in federal government funding.

Vancouver-based Solegear receives the funding through the Western Innovation Initiative (WINN), a program offered by Western Economic Diversification Canada. Designed to spur innovation and economic development, WINN helps small- and medium-sized technology businesses commercialize their products, services, and processes.

 
“This is a big deal for us. It’s an honour to be recognized as an innovator by the Government of Canada, and the funding is going to help us accelerate our commercialization,” said Toby Reid, founder and CEO of Solegear. “If you look at how critical innovation is to a thriving economy, programs such as WINN are vital for innovative businesses, like Solegear, who are in the process of scaling up. We look forward to deploying these funds and continuing our growth toward becoming a leading global supplier of next generation, bio-based plastics.”

 
Founded in 2006, Solegear produces and distributes high-performance bioplastics made from annually renewable bio-based sources.