THUNDER BAY - Applying scientific innovation to the long-established maple syrup industry wasn’t on the minds of many when Sean Murray started his company.
But that’s exactly what makes him an innovator.
Murray, the CEO of Canada West Maple, got to display his product in front of a room full of partners and peers at the graduation ceremony for the Costarter Business Accelerator program.
The three-month program focuses on early-stage entrepreneurs and provides mentorship and a $15,000 investment courtesy of the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre.
On Wednesday, four graduate companies including Canada West Maple Products were sent off into the world of entrepreneurship. Murray explained how science allows his company to produce a more precise product.
“We are tracking the different chemical makeup within syrup,” Murray said. “You need to be able to test if it’s got high glucose and fructose.”
Murray and his team utilize diabetic glucose meters to measure levels for their product.
From there, Murray can tell based on his data which syrup is best for making maple sugar, and which can be used in place of brown and white sugars as an additive for coffee and dessert.
“There’s a lot of science into it, but it allows us to be much more precise in the product we’re making.”
Murray started selling his maple syrup and sugar products at the Thunder Bay County Market.
Quickly the demand outweighed his ability to supply.
As he began to expand, Murray enrolled in the costarter program to sharpen his business knowledge.
“Entrepreneurship is kind of a hard and lonely journey so bringing in the people that have supported, and to recognize the work they’ve done is important,” said Judy Sander, manager for the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre
The program has graduated four classes, the likes of which include local networking company Intridio, and local clothing line Ungali.
“The goal really is to get them to success faster and support the need to change the business model sooner rather than later,” Sander said.
After starting the business in his basement, Murray has expanded through the program and with additional funding to open a 1,800 square foot facility.
“It’s a facility that we can use to really expand and grow. The innovation centre has been really helpful with that.”
