Natural firefighting foam
-
Can fighting fires become safer and more effective? Yes, naturally.
Turning first-hand firefighting experience into an important new product
The Opportunity
You already know that firefighters put their lives at risk in the line of duty. But their risk is not just from fire, but from the firefighting chemicals they are exposed to in the process. In addition, toxic firefighting chemicals can leach into municipal groundwater and forests, putting all wildlife at risk. The team at FireRein, veterans of the firefighting industry, were determined to help address this global issue.
The Challenge
FireRein had a unique formulation, derived from food grade bio-based products, that was highly effective in suppressing fire. There was interest from the firefighting community, but industry needed validation and proof of the product’s effectiveness and ability to be easily and cost-effectively integrated into firefighting procedures and protocol. The time and effort to conduct trials and educate the industry about this new approach required capital that, like most start-ups, FireRein didn’t have.
Firefighting is a highly regulated industry and extremely traditional. With lives on the line, it is not a simple or quick task to try to introduce a new product into the mix, even with something like our Eco-Gel, which is safer for both the firefighters and the environment. The capital from NPC was a huge help in allowing us to conduct field trials to prove the product was not only as effective but more effective in knocking down fires.
NPC’s Solution
NPC provided FireRein with $150,000 through its Investment Fund to extend their runway through the validation and commercialization phase. With the testing and education and marketing approach in place, FireRein went on to establish key contracts for their one-of-a-kind firefighting solution. They also expanded to industrial markets including rail and mining, and to consumer markets with their other product, Hotworx – a temporary fire prevention coating used during cutting, grinding, soldering and welding that forms a barrier between heat sources and flammable surfaces.
NPC is committed to the creation of natural products that are better for people, animals and the planet. We propel early-stage Canadian innovators with the advice, connections and capital they need to develop and de-risk their solutions quickly and efficiently.
FireRein
Description:
Sector(s):
Bioequivalents, Cleantech, GreentechFunding Type:
Investment FundProvince:
OntarioFunding Amount:
$150,000
Year of Funding:
2017Name:
Wayne Maddever