EnWave Corp (TSX-V:ENW, OTC:NWVCF) CEO Brent Charleton joined Proactive to discuss the company’s new strategic partnership with the Spanish National Technology Center for Food Technology and Safety (CNTA).
The CEO explained that this collaboration will accelerate EnWave's global expansion, particularly in the European market, by connecting the company to CNTA’s network of 500 food manufacturers and 250 professionals.
He also highlighted the company’s plans to hire a senior business development manager based in the Netherlands to support its international sales efforts.
Proactive: The company released news today about a strategic partnership with CNTA. So, a good place to start—tell me a little bit about who this company is.
Brent Charleton: Yes, it’s a good question. The acronym doesn't ring a bell with most, but it stands for the Spanish National Technology Center for the food industry. These folks have a rich network with food manufacturers throughout both the Spanish region and beyond, across Europe, to conduct R&D, product development, and hopefully introduce new commercialization for different technologies.
You’ve talked in the past about the business model of the company. This really fits into one of the lines of business you discussed.
Yes, absolutely. It’s also part of our international global expansion for sales. This will be an incredible tool for us in sales, as they will attract new folks into our pipeline. This partnership also aligns with a new hire we’re making—a senior business development manager who will represent us in the Netherlands.
Yes. Tell me how this deal will work between the two companies.
Essentially, CNTA purchased equipment from EnWave, which is great because we make a margin on that. Then, they will attract potential adoptees of our technology who will hopefully sign licenses with EnWave and purchase additional equipment. If CNTA brings us new customers, they share in the upside, which is an incentive for them to bring us more business.
You mentioned they have quite an influence, with 500 associated companies and 250 professionals. They really have that market covered.
Yes, they’re very well-known and reputable organizations. So, this was an ideal partnership for us. The fact that they were willing to invest in our technology because they see a huge upside within their region for implementation is a strong validation of where we’re heading as a business at EnWave.
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and style