Smarter Sensors, Fresher Food
A-Scent Innovations is redefining how we track freshness in the food supply chain.
Food waste is a $1 trillion global issue and a significant driver of greenhouse gas emissions. A considerable portion of this waste isn’t due to spoilage but results from discarding perfectly edible, high-quality products based on rigid expiry dates and limited insights into actual freshness. This lack of real-time data also puts food safety at risk and undermines consumer trust.
Rooted in advanced materials science, A-Scent is developing an advanced sensor that precisely assesses food freshness in real time. Embedded directly into food packaging, the sensor enables continuous freshness monitoring, transforming static expiration dates into dynamic, condition-specific insights.
By empowering producers, retailers, and consumers to track freshness continuously, especially for high-risk products like meat and seafood, A-Scent supports smarter decision-making, reduces unnecessary waste, extends shelf life, and increases transparency across the food supply chain. Designed for seamless integration, this scalable solution enhances logistics efficiency, promotes sustainability, and reinforces trust, safety, and resilience at every stage of the food journey.
Validating the Vision
What they’ve done: A-Scent’s founder has developed a breakthrough sensor that detects early-stage food spoilage by identifying trace chemical markers with ultra-high sensitivity. Built using scalable, cost-effective printed electronics, the sensor is designed for seamless integration into standard packaging formats. This innovation enables real-time freshness monitoring at scale and marks a transformative leap toward smarter, data-driven food systems.
Why NVBC: The foodtech startup entered the 2025 New Ventures BC Competition, presented by Innovate BC, to connect with the province’s vibrant startup ecosystem and engage with experienced founders, investors, and industry experts. The competition offers a valuable platform to refine its business strategy, build meaningful partnerships, and increase visibility with potential funders, paving the way for market entry.
Up Next: A-Scent is now focused on refining its technology into a commercially ready product and initiating pilot programs with industry partners. These pilots will validate performance in real-world operational settings across the food supply chain and demonstrate measurable benefits like reduced spoilage and improved supply chain efficiency. A-Scent is also actively seeking strategic partners to help scale development and bring its solution to market.
Lessons Outside the Lab
Transitioning from an academic background, the biggest challenge for founder Dr. Marc Courte has been adapting to the multifaceted realities of developing a startup and navigating the entrepreneurial journey. One key lesson? Stepping out of the lab.
Attending events, connecting with community partners, and asking questions have been essential to A-Scent’s growth. The advice to engage with fellow entrepreneurs and industry experts early on has proven invaluable, offering insights that have helped reshape both the product and strategy. BC’s startup ecosystem is rich with opportunities, and building a strong network has been critical in navigating early challenges. The journey has been shaped not just by innovation but by the support of those who have shared valuable guidance along the way.
Meet The Team
Marc Courte, Ph.D. CEO & Founder
Fun Fact: Marc believes the best views come after the hardest climbs.
Company Cheatsheet:
City: Vancouver
Founded: 2025
Sector: Foodtech, IoT, Intelligent Packaging
