Two cutting-edge biotech startups from Ontario, Canada — AuX Labs and Genuine Taste — have been selected to join BioCreate, an accelerator program that supports innovative companies in the health, food, agriculture, and cleantech sectors.
AuX Lab was founded in 2021 by Ted Jin to create affordable bioidentical animal proteins using precision fermentation and engineered yeasts. The company is working to develop yeast strains with high protein-yielding capabilities and a bioprocess fueled by low-cost feedstocks established in “capital-light” fermentation facilities.
“This game-changing innovation is happening right here in Ontario”
AuX Lab’s first protein — milk casein — is used to create animal-free cheese with the same taste and melting and stretching functionalities as dairy cheese. The startup has raised $3 million in a seed round from investors Bluestein Ventures, Congruent Ventures, and Flying Fish Partners.
Meanwhile, Genuine Taste is a cell ag company developing cultivated beef fat to improve the taste, texture, and nutrition of alternatives that better mimic conventional meat. The startup was founded in 2022 by Emily Farrar and Pooya Mamaghani. It has raised $175,000 from various investors, including Cycle Momentum, Startup Montreal, Big Idea Ventures, Antler, and Treefrog Accelerator.
“Our revolutionary technology will let us experience the genuine taste of meat while building toward a sustainable and cruelty-free future for the food industry,” states Genuine Taste.
Advancing food and agriculture
Funded by the nonprofit Ontario Genomics and the Government of Canada, specifically through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), BioCreate provides financial and business support to startups like AuX Labs and Genuine Taste. These companies will receive $150,000 in funding, 18 months of mentorship, and access to critical infrastructure to scale up their products.
AuX Labs and Genuine Taste will be able to pitch their innovative solutions to investors for further funding as they continue to make significant strides in the biotechnology sector.
Dr. Bettina Hamelin, Ontario Genomics’ President and CEO, shared, “This game-changing innovation is happening right here in Ontario, creating jobs and advances in the food and agriculture, clean tech, and health sectors. We’re also excited these technologies are good for Canadians, as well as people and businesses around the world.”
