Genome Atlantic
Genome Atlantic is a Halifax-based non-profit research facilitator, one of seven regional Genome Centres in Canada, that convenes industry, academic, and government partners to execute applied genomics projects across aquaculture, forestry, mining, energy, health, and environmental sectors in Atlantic Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersHalifax, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Genome Atlantic does
Genome Atlantic is a non-profit applied genomics research facilitation organization founded in 2000 and headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It operates as one of seven regional Genome Centres in the federally backed Genome Canada enterprise network and serves as the dedicated genomics facilitator for the four Atlantic Canadian provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island). The organization's role is to convene private-sector companies, academic researchers, and government agencies around end-user-led projects, secure co-funding from multiple sources (Genome Canada, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and provincial governments), and manage project execution across aquaculture, forestry, agriculture, energy, mining, health, and environmental sectors. Core applied technologies include environmental DNA (eDNA) surveillance, genome sequencing, metagenomics, population genomics, and bioinformatics.
Genome Atlantic does not generate commercial revenue from product sales. Its operating model is funded through government grants (Genome Canada, ACOA, four Atlantic provincial governments) plus industry co-funding from private-sector partners (approximately 30% of portfolio value). The organization channels federal and provincial funding into applied R&D projects, with a cumulative $155 million+ in R&D generated since 2000 and a reported 2018-2023 ROI of $23 in applied R&D per $1 of public business-development funding. Named industry partners include Atlantic Aqua Farms, Cooke Aquaculture, SMART Christmas Tree Research Cooperative, L'Etang Ruisseau Bar (Mallet Oysters), and IWK Health Centre.
The organization's product surface includes funding programs (GAPP-Regional, GORP, dual-use technology funding), research projects (forest soil assessment, methane leak monitoring, First Nations water safety, port baseline biodiversity, oyster disease surveillance), publications (SEQUENCE newsletter), and co-developed platforms such as the SmartRequisition AI-powered genetic test ordering tool (built with PhenoTips and IWK Health). The go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, relying on direct partner engagement, strategic alignment of regional priorities with national Genome Canada programs, and a small 1-10 employee team.
Genome Atlantic firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Genome Atlantic
- Legal name
- Genome Atlantic
- Website
- https://genomeatlantic.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Genome Atlantic is a Halifax-based non-profit research facilitator, one of seven regional Genome Centres in Canada, that convenes industry, academic, and government partners to execute applied genomics projects across aquaculture, forestry, mining, energy, health, and environmental sectors in Atlantic Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Genome Atlantic industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Genomics Research Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biotechnology & Gene-Edited Trait Development (AFAGAIAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)
Keywords
Where Genome Atlantic is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Halifax
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Genome Atlantic business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Research Funding Facilitation: Genome Atlantic operates as a non-profit research facilitation organization. They do not generate revenue from product sales. Their operations are funded through Genome Canada, ACOA (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and the four Atlantic provincial governments. They facilitate the flow of federal and provincial funding into applied genomics research projects, with industry partners contributing co-funding.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Genome Atlantic product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Genome Atlantic is a non-profit research facilitation organization that helps Atlantic Canada companies, industries, and government apply genomic insights and innovations to solve real-world problems. The organization convenes industry, academic, and government partners to develop applied genomics research projects, channels public and private funding (notably through Genome Canada, ACOA, and Atlantic provincial governments) into those projects, and supports execution across aquaculture, forestry, mining, energy, health, and environmental sectors.
Product overview
Genome Atlantic is a not-for-profit research facilitation organization (one of 7 Genome Centres in Canada) that helps Atlantic Canada companies, industries, and government use genomic insights and innovations. The organization does not offer a unified commercial product but facilitates research through funding programs including GAPP (Genomics Applications Partnership Program), GORP (Genomics Opportunity Review Program), and SEQUENCE newsletter. Key funded research initiatives include SmartRequisition (AI-powered genetic test ordering platform developed with PhenoTips and IWK Health), environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring projects for ports and water safety, microbial genomics for methane detection, and oyster disease surveillance. The organization enables applied R&D across sectors including aquaculture, forestry, mining, energy, and health.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SmartRequisition An AI-powered software platform that reads clinical notes, extracts symptom codes using standardized vocabulary, and generates complete, lab-ready genetic test requisitions to modernize genetic test ordering across Canadian healthcare institutions.
- Genomics Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) - Regional Natural Resources A funding program that catalyzes industry-driven genomics research in mining, critical minerals, energy innovation, and bioproducts sectors of strategic importance to Atlantic Canada.
- GAPP - National Dual-Use Technologies Funding Program A funding program administered with Vimy Forge that supports dual-use genomics technology projects with both civilian and national defence applications, targeting Atlantic Canadian companies and researchers.
- Genomics Opportunity Review Program (GORP) A program providing funding support to synthetic biology startups and companies addressing clean technology challenges and opportunities in Atlantic Canada, partnered with the Verschuren Centre.
Quantifiable outcome
- $23 return on every public sector dollar invested in applied R&D
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Genome Atlantic
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Genome Atlantic technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature3 records
Genome Atlantic partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- Vimy ForgemajorNational defence accelerator partnership for dual-use technology funding opportunity ($900,000 available). Bridges public research and private-sector innovation for civilian and defence applications.
- University of CalgarymajorCo-leading $896,672 project on deep biosphere genomics for underground energy storage at the Fischells Salt Dome in Newfoundland.
- PhenoTipsmajorGenomic medicine software company co-leading SmartRequisition ($5.4M) initiative to automate genomic test requisition workflows with IWK Health.
- Atlantic Aqua FarmsmajorNorth America's largest blue mussel grower co-leading $3.4M Triploid Mussel Program for Canada's first-ever genomics selective breeding program for triploid mussels.
- Genome CanadacoreParent organization and primary funder. Genome Atlantic is one of 7 Genome Centres in Canada that are part of the Genome Canada Enterprise. Receives operational funding and project co-funding through Genome Canada programs.
- Dalhousie UniversitycoreMajor academic partner involved in multiple projects including wild blueberry research, salmon aquaculture, water studies, and clinical genomics training programs.
- Memorial University of NewfoundlandcoreKey academic partner for aquaculture research including cleaner fish R&D, Centre for Translational Genomics, and aquafeed ingredient development.
- Verschuren CentrecorePartnership for synthetic biology startup support through MOU enabling Genome Atlantic to help companies address clean technology challenges. Partner on Brazzein precision fermentation project ($1.6M).
- IWK Health CentrecoreMajor healthcare partner leading SmartRequisition project and Annual Atlantic Precision Medicine Conference. Co-leads national AI initiative for genomic medicine.
- Cooke AquaculturecoreMajor Atlantic salmon farming company partner benefiting from genomic selection research for improved salmon health and growth.
- New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)majorDeveloping new clinical genomics training program with NBCC to build technician workforce for Atlantic Canada's growing genomics sector.
- Atlantic First Nations Water Authority (AFNWA)majorFirst Indigenous-owned and operated water utility in Canada, leading microbial water safety project using eDNA/RNA monitoring for 13 First Nations.
- eDNAteccoreAtlantic Canadian company performing laboratory analyses for Port Baseline Biodiversity Project using automated eDNA sampling.
- Dartmouth Ocean TechnologiescoreAtlantic Canadian company providing automated eDNA sampling equipment for Port Baseline Biodiversity Project.
- Ontario GenomicsmajorOntario-based Genome Centre supporting SmartRequisition initiative across Canadian healthcare institutions.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Genome Atlantic competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Genome Prairie: Saskatchewan and Manitoba's regional Genome Centre, focused on agriculture, environment, and Indigenous-led genomics research. Closely comparable to Genome Atlantic in regional focus, small-team operating model, and agriculture/environment sector priorities.
- Genome Alberta: Alberta's regional Genome Centre, focused on health, agriculture, energy, and environmental genomics — directly overlapping with Genome Atlantic's mining/energy, forestry, and aquaculture pillars. Operates with similar funding structure under Genome Canada.
- Genome British Columbia: British Columbia's regional Genome Centre in the Genome Canada network, providing identical funding-facilitation and project-development services for BC-based industry and academic partners. Same operating model, funding sources (Genome Canada + provincial government), and sector focus as Genome Atlantic.
- Ontario Genomics: Ontario's regional Genome Centre within the same Genome Canada network of seven centres, performing the same applied-genomics research facilitation role in its home province. Directly comparable in mandate, funding model, and operating structure, with active collaboration on SmartRequisition.
- Genome Quebec: Quebec's regional Genome Centre, the largest in the Genome Canada network by funding catalyzed. Performs the same applied-genomics project facilitation role as Genome Atlantic but at meaningfully larger scale, making it the most operationally comparable peer.
Emerging players
- eDNAtec: Atlantic Canadian eDNA laboratory services provider that performs biodiversity analyses for Genome Atlantic's Port Baseline Biodiversity Project. Comparable as a regional environmental genomics specialist, but operating as a commercial services provider rather than a public-interest facilitator.
- PhenoTips: Canadian genomic-medicine software company that co-developed the SmartRequisition AI platform with Genome Atlantic and IWK Health. Directly comparable as a domain-overlapping partner building genomics clinical infrastructure, though operating as a venture-backed software vendor rather than a non-profit facilitator.
- Verschuren Centre: Cape Breton University's bioproducts and clean-tech innovation centre, partnered with Genome Atlantic on the Genomics Opportunity Review Program (GORP) and the Brazzein precision fermentation project. Comparable as a regional biotech R&D intermediary with overlapping mandate in synthetic biology and clean tech.
Broad incumbents
- Memorial University of Newfoundland: Major Atlantic Canadian research university partnering with Genome Atlantic on aquaculture genomics, the Centre for Translational Genomics, and aquafeed development. Comparable as a broad incumbent with deep domain overlap in marine and aquaculture genomics that could absorb some facilitation functions.
- Dalhousie University: Atlantic Canada's largest research university and Genome Atlantic's most active academic partner, with overlapping aquaculture, agriculture, forestry, and clinical genomics research programs. Compares as a much broader incumbent that could partially substitute for Genome Atlantic's facilitation role through direct industry-academic partnerships.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Genome Atlantic social profiles
Digital presenceGenome Atlantic financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Genome Atlantic leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Genome Atlantic funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Genome Atlantic 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 Genome Atlantic
What does Genome Atlantic do?
Genome Atlantic is a non-profit research facilitation organization that helps Atlantic Canada companies, industries, and government apply genomic insights and innovations to solve real-world problems. The organization convenes industry, academic, and government partners to develop applied genomics research projects, channels public and private funding (notably through Genome Canada, ACOA, and Atlantic provincial governments) into those projects, and supports execution across aquaculture, forestry, mining, energy, health, and environmental sectors.
Is Genome Atlantic a public or private company?
Genome Atlantic is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Genome Atlantic founded?
Genome Atlantic was founded in 2000. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Genome Atlantic based?
Genome Atlantic is headquartered in Halifax, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Genome Atlantic make money?
One revenue line is on record: research Funding Facilitation.
Who are Genome Atlantic's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Genome Prairie, Genome Alberta, Genome British Columbia, Ontario Genomics and Genome Quebec. Emerging players are eDNAtec, PhenoTips and Verschuren Centre. Broad incumbents are Memorial University of Newfoundland and Dalhousie University.
Does Genome Atlantic have an API?
No public API is recorded for Genome Atlantic.
What industry is Genome Atlantic in?
Genome Atlantic's product category is Genomics Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAGAIAG, Biotechnology & Gene-Edited Trait Development, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAE, Marine & Freshwater Conservation. Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.