VITALITY Products Inc., based in Vancouver, British Columbia, is a brand of clean vitamins and supplements. Their range of products are made with high-quality, raw ingredients and effective formulas that are verified to help boost the health and wellness of their customers. The company is striving to fill gaps in the health and wellness sector by developing new innovative natural health products. To support VITALITY’s efforts, they have received Canadian government funding for research and development.
VITALITY has received $85,000 in government funding from the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP).
Administered and managed by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) is a Canadian government funding program that supports innovative technology development projects. Leveraging NRC-IRAP funding helps businesses enhance processes and products and boost market competitiveness. VITALITY will be using the funding to progress their algae and plant-based products.
$85K Awarded in IRAP Research and Development Funding
VITALITY Products Inc.’s line of supplements enhance a wide range of wellness initiatives including improving digestion, better sleep, beauty, and active living. Their products are non-GMO, vegan, and third-party tested and sold in over 550 stores throughout Canada.
The Industrial Research Assistance Program has awarded $85k in funding for VITALITY to evaluate, research, and develop new products for future distribution.
IRAP funding will support the company’s development of three innovative natural health products during 2019. These products, like VITALITY’s successful Power Iron + Organic Spirulina product, will use plant-based and algae ingredients. Canadian government funding will also drive VITALITY’s vision of increasing their product range to be sold both nationally and internationally. To date, VITALITY has received almost $250,000 in funding from the NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) since 2012.
IRAP Canadian Research and Development Funding
The Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) offers small and medium-sized businesses research and development funding to support the progression and commercialization of innovative technologies, while accelerating businesses’ growth and competitiveness.
Via IRAP’s multiple streams, businesses may receive up to 50-80% of eligible costs to a maximum of $10 million.
Two of IRAP’s most popular streams include:
- IRAP Mid-Sized Projects: Focuses on smaller-scale projects that aim to solve internal technical challenges.
- IRAP Accelerated Review Process: Focuses on large-scale R&D innovative product development projects.
The next round of funding through the Industrial Research Assistance Program is expected to be released in April 2019.
If your company is interested in learning more about IRAP and whether this program is the right fit for your research and innovation projects, please download Mentor Works’ IRAP vs. SR&ED slide deck.