Canadian clean technology entrepreneurs are making strides on solutions to challenges: though energy-efficient buildings, advances in sustainable agriculture, innovation in water security, and much more.
In 2021, the cleantech sector employed more than 188,000 Canadians in well-paying jobs. Cleantech businesses contributed more than $28 billion to the Canadian economy in 2021 and exported $9 billion in goods and services.
Among these contributing cleantech hustlers is Calgary-based Provision Analytics, which is working to reduce food safety and quality incidents throughout the food supply chain through its novel data platform, which helps clients capture and monitor operational data.
The Copenhagen-born startup recently received more than $2 million from the Government of Canada through Sustainable Development Technology Canada.
The burst of capital builds on a $6 million equity round secured last year from LEVEL46 Investments, Trailhead Capital of Colorado, Serra Ventures of Illinois, Waterpoint Lane of Ontario, Voyager Capital of Washington, and private investors.
The funding helps Provision capitalize on a groundswell of digitization in food safety.
For example, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has started enforcing digital adoption for food product traceability. Such changes, combined with increasing consumer demand for food process transparency, have left food companies reconsidering their record-keeping practices, the startup says.
“The digitization we’ve seen in food accounting, inventory, and logistics is inevitable in food safety,” Provision CEO Erik Westblom stated in 2022. “Our drive is to make data entry easier for operators, to unlock automation and insight for managers.”
Provision software is used for digital record-keeping in food safety. Customizable record templates contain automatic schedules, rules, and alerts that boost process control. The process data is streamed into one central cloud for each client, allowing for faster audit completion and real-time analytics.
“We believe this will help food companies discover efficiencies, and ultimately, produce safer food for consumers,” said Westblom.
Provision aims to help food companies save time in proving regulatory compliance while building management insight for safety, quality, and cost, according to the cofounder.
“Provision is turning food safety records from a burden to a competitive advantage,” believes TriWest Capital Partners vice chairman Lorne Jacobson.
Founded in 2018, the company continues to grow its workforce, expanding its head office in Calgary and bolstering market reach to the US and beyond.
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