Escarpment Laboratories

Escarpment Laboratories is a social enterprise located in Guelph, Ontario, that grows microbes for the beer industry and recently expanded into food ferments. In 2016, the founders noticed that there was no yeast supplier regional to Ontario. They took this opportunity to leverage their academic knowledge in microbiology to seize this untapped spot in the marketplace. Since then, the company has grown from its three founders to a staff of over 30, supplying yeast to local brewers, the country and internationally. 

Financing Need 

Escarpment Labs received a loan from the Fair Finance Fund to support their new facility's construction of a multipurpose lab and teaching space for their community. This room will function as a training space for lab techniques, food fermentation and brewing-related skills. It will also be home to the Food Ferments department and is complete with its own electrical needs, HVAC system, and equipment infrastructure. 

Impact of Project Over Loan Term 

• One new job created, and two jobs expanded at a living wage 

• Two to four new regional suppliers supported

• Increase of $85,000 in local food sales 

• Environmental stewardship through water waste diversion and other innovative practises 

• Community building and engagement for their local community through education and training events on the techniques and benefits of fermentation

Guelph • https://escarpmentlabs.com/