Global Institute for Food Security
- Company typePublic
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSaskatoon, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Global Institute for Food Security firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Global Institute for Food Security
- Legal name
- Global Institute for Food Security
- Website
- https://gifs.ca
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Global Institute for Food Security industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Food Animal & Herd Health Diagnostics (Surveillance, Production Medicine Lab Testing) (HLAMADAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Veterinary Public Health, Biosecurity & Disease Control Services (AFAEANAI)
Keywords
Where Global Institute for Food Security is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saskatoon
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Global Institute for Food Security business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
Revenue model
- Government Research Funding: The institute receives government grants and investments to support research initiatives and facility development, including the $2.5 million PrairiesCan investment for biomanufacturing facility development.
- Genetic Testing Services: Provides DNA testing and genotyping services to Canadian beef producers, generating revenue through service delivery for tissue sample analysis and genetic testing.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
Global Institute for Food Security product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) is a research institute at the University of Saskatchewan that operates Canada's only biomanufacturing facility dedicated to sustainable agriculture and food innovation, and delivers high-throughput DNA testing and genotyping services for Canadian beef producers, enabling domestic genetic analysis of cattle tissue samples without sending them abroad. The institute combines research capabilities, biomanufacturing capacity, and applied genetic services to support sustainable food production.
Product overview
The Global Institute for Food Security operates as a research institute offering two distinct service lines: a biomanufacturing facility dedicated to sustainable agriculture and food innovation (under development since 2022), and high-throughput DNA testing and genotyping services for the Canadian beef industry launched via strategic partnership in November 2025. The DNA testing services enable domestic genetic analysis of beef cattle, repatriating capabilities previously sent abroad.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DNA Testing and Genotyping Services High-throughput DNA testing and genotyping analysis for beef cattle tissue samples, enabling Canadian beef producers to access genetic testing domestically without sending samples abroad. Supports pedigree certification and breeding decisions for the Canadian beef industry.
- Biomanufacturing Facility for Sustainable Agriculture Canada's only biomanufacturing facility dedicated to sustainable agriculture and food innovation, under development at the University of Saskatchewan campus. Supports research and biomanufacturing capacity for sustainable food production.
Quantifiable outcome
- Eliminates need to send beef cattle tissue samples abroad for DNA testing
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Global Institute for Food Security
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments1 record
Global Institute for Food Security technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Global Institute for Food Security partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Canadian Beef Improvement NetworkflagshipStrategic partnership to establish a domestic high-throughput DNA testing and genotyping platform for Canadian beef producers. The partnership repatriates Canadian cattle genetic data and testing capabilities previously sent abroad, addressing cross-border shipment delays, logistics risks, and data sovereignty concerns while keeping economic value and expertise within Canada.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Global Institute for Food Security competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Embark Veterinary: Animal genetics testing company with proprietary high-throughput genotyping platform; adjacent in technology stack and lab automation, though primarily canine-focused rather than cattle.
Direct peers
- IdentiGEN: Provides DNA-based traceability and genotyping for meat and livestock supply chains; comparable technology focus on livestock genetics and traceability.
- Weatherbys Scientific: UK-based DNA testing laboratory serving agriculture and livestock producers with genotyping and parentage services; directly comparable service model.
- Zoetis (Igenity / HD): Zoetis offers Igenity HD and related cattle genomic profiling; a direct competitor in the same beef-cattle DNA testing category, competing on panel quality and turnaround time.
- Neogen Corporation (GeneSeek): Neogen's GeneSeek division operates one of the world's largest livestock genotyping labs, offering high-throughput cattle DNA testing globally — the primary incumbent GIFS is positioning against with its 'domestic Canada' narrative.
Broad incumbents
- Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB): US national body coordinating dairy and beef cattle genetic evaluations and reference data; comparable mission of compiling livestock genotype data for industry use, serving as a broader-incumbent analogue.
Others
- Canadian Beef Improvement Network: Industry-association partner of GIFS coordinating cattle genetic improvement programs in Canada; overlapping mandate on national beef genetics but functioning as a partner rather than direct lab competitor.
Regional players
- Semex (Canadian livestock genetics cooperative): A Canadian dairy and beef genetics cooperative offering genomic evaluation and breeding services; comparable in customer base and country focus, though more distribution-focused than laboratory testing.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Customer concentration
Global Institute for Food Security social profiles
Digital presenceGlobal Institute for Food Security financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Global Institute for Food Security leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Global Institute for Food Security funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Global Institute for Food Security M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Global Institute for Food Security
What does Global Institute for Food Security do?
Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) is a research institute at the University of Saskatchewan that operates Canada's only biomanufacturing facility dedicated to sustainable agriculture and food innovation, and delivers high-throughput DNA testing and genotyping services for Canadian beef producers, enabling domestic genetic analysis of cattle tissue samples without sending them abroad. The institute combines research capabilities, biomanufacturing capacity, and applied genetic services to support sustainable food production.
Is Global Institute for Food Security a public or private company?
Global Institute for Food Security is a public company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Global Institute for Food Security founded?
Global Institute for Food Security was founded in 2012. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Global Institute for Food Security based?
Global Institute for Food Security is headquartered in Saskatoon, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Global Institute for Food Security make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Research Funding is the primary driver. The others are genetic Testing Services.
Who are Global Institute for Food Security's main competitors?
Embark Veterinary is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are IdentiGEN, Weatherbys Scientific, Zoetis (Igenity / HD) and Neogen Corporation (GeneSeek). Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) is listed as a broad incumbent. Canadian Beef Improvement Network is listed as an others. Semex (Canadian livestock genetics cooperative) is listed as a regional player.
Does Global Institute for Food Security have an API?
No public API is recorded for Global Institute for Food Security.
What industry is Global Institute for Food Security in?
Global Institute for Food Security's product category is Agricultural Biotechnology Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAMADAL, Food Animal & Herd Health Diagnostics (Surveillance, Production Medicine Lab Testing), with a secondary code of AFAEANAI, Veterinary Public Health, Biosecurity & Disease Control Services. Its SIC code is 700.