While the pandemic stunted the growth and development of countless businesses and deferred or quashed the dreams of many entrepreneurs, others used COVID-19 as an opportunity to regroup. They channeled their resourcefulness and creativity in preparation for recovery. As the economy slowly gets back on track, here are a few cutting-edge innovations that we will definitely hear more of in the coming months.
Local Bounti is shaking up the U.S. agro-technology industry with its new, state-of-the-art, controlled environment agriculture (CEA) plant based in Montana. Open year-round, the facility generates quality, chemical-free produce that boasts an extended shelf life, and amazingly uses 90 per cent less water and land than traditional agricultural methods.
Local Bounti’s technology incorporates techniques that are set to revolutionize the way food is farmed. The company recently shared its $1 billion plan to merge with Leo Holdings III Corp., a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company. Once it’s rolled out, Local Bounti is slated to bring tremendous relief to about 40 per cent of the U.S. suffering from major droughts due to unprecedentedly high temperatures. Farmers, industry experts, and all who care about the environment and corporate environmental responsibility are keeping a close eye on Local Bounti’s development.
We are almost equally concerned about the quality and safety of the indoor air we breathe as much as we care about the food we consume. In our post-COVID world, it’s a concern that’s likely here to stay given that we have grown accustomed to life in interior spaces. Enter Clear Inc., which could not have launched in the Canadian market at a better time.
Founded by Israeli-Canadian Gil D. Blutrich in 2020, this company supplies technologies that protect against viruses, pathogens, and bacteria found in both air and water. All too often, employers and their employees miss critical workdays and their health is compromised due to poor ventilation, resulting in Sick Building Syndrome, a condition which manifests as headaches and respiratory problems.
Clear Inc. is striving to put an end to such sick days, by repurposing technologies already used by hospitals and pharmaceutical companies worldwide. General apartment-dwellers will also greatly benefit from the company’s technologies, which monitor the apartments’ indoor air and water quality all day, every day. Real-time data will be available via the especially designed app, enabling residents to check on the results anytime. Considering that we spend about 90% of our time indoors, equipping all buildings with the company’s technologies seems like a wise choice.
Dave Gordon | Contributing Writer
