SOUTHERN ONTARIO FUND FOR INVESTMENT IN INNOVATION (SOFII) SUPPORTS RURAL CLEANTECH COMPANY, FIREREIN INC.
NAPANEE, ONTARIO – March 25, 2022 - Rural cleantech company, FireRein Inc. successfully completes UL (Underwriters Laboratories) firefighting efficacy testing of Eco-Gel and continues its efforts to bring Eco-Gel to large markets across North America with support from the Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII).
The Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) is supported by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and is being delivered by Community Futures Eastern Ontario. SOFII provides interest-bearing business loans to support innovation and growth in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region.
“Small- and medium-sized businesses play a vital role in the economies of rural communities across southern Ontario and the Government of Canada is proud to support local Canadian businesses to create secure jobs and drive resilient economic growth in rural economies,” says the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
FireRein Inc. provides sustainable, bio-based water enhancing technologies for fire prevention and suppression. With the $500,000 loan provided from SOFII, FireRein’s product became the world's only certified 100% bio-based water additive for firefighting and fire prevention as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has officially recognized and verified the effectiveness of FireRein's Eco-Gel™ for the suppression of Class A and Class B fires.
"This is a significant milestone for FireRein as we now have UL recognition for performance. EcoGel™ is certified 100% bio-based by UL Environment and the USDA Bio Preferred program, making Eco-Gel™ the safest product available to the Fire Service and Industry," says Quincy Emmons, President and Co-Founder of FireRein.
"As one of the biggest accomplishments for FireRein, completion of the product testing with UL opens up sales channels into many key market segments, which will surge company growth," adds Zackery Hodgen, Vice-President, and Co-Founder.
Eco-Gel is currently sold to fire departments through fire product distributors in Western Canada, Ontario and Northern United States. FireRein also manages several commercial and fire departments directly. Regardless of where the order comes from, FireRein ships directly to clients to ensure quality assurance with the product and to provide training on proper use of the gel. This expansion has helped maintain 7 fulltime employees and will create an additional 20 fulltime jobs within the next three years.
About FedDev Ontario
For more than 12 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation and growth in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving their productivity, growing their revenues, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects.
Contacts
Monica Granados
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
monica.granados@feddevontario.gc.ca
For more information about SOFII and other CFDC programs, please visit: www.cfeasternontario.ca
For more information on FireRein Inc., please visit: https://www.firerein.com/