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Robin Richards
Manitoba Métis Citizen, Entrepreneur, and Advocate for Sustainability
Born and raised in Manitoba, Robin is a proud Métis citizen whose personal and professional journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to athletics, his heritage and the well-being of others.
After an impressive 12-year career playing professional hockey across various markets in Canada and the United States, Robin transitioned into a career in sales. However, it wasn’t long before his path took a more purpose-driven turn.
As he became more attuned to the struggles facing many communities, and through conversations with other friends detailing the struggles in their hometowns, especially those in remote and underserved regions.
Robin realized children, families, and communities lacking access to basic resources like clean drinking water and fresh food, has become a major issue and he was heartbroken by the realities they faced. While watching his two beautiful girls play, he imagined their lives living in one of those communities.
That became the inspiration for Robin to act.
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This realization sparked a growing passion for food sustainability and water sovereignty that ultimately led to the co-founding of NIBI EnviroTech, a company dedicated to addressing these critical issues.
Alongside his business partner and good friend, Kelsey Friesen, Robin is leading the charge with NIBI EnviroTech to develop rapid deployment solutions for First Nations and Indigenous communities across the country. Their innovative approach aims to provide clean drinking water and food security to those who have long been overlooked by traditional systems. Their work isn’t just about meeting immediate needs, but about creating lasting change that can endure for future generations.
Driven by a belief that challenges must be met with smart innovation, empathy, and unwavering commitment, Robin sees every challenge as an opportunity to make a real impact. Through NIBI EnviroTech, he and his team are demonstrating that with the right people and the right mindset, no problem is insurmountable.
For Robin, the future is clear: A healthy community today is a healthy Canada for generations to come. His work with NIBI is a testament to the power of resilience, compassion, and the drive to make the world a better place for all.
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kelsey friesen
Entrepreneur, Innovator, Philanthropist and Advocate for Sustainable Agriculture
Born and raised in Manitoba, Kelsey Friesen’s roots in agriculture and sales run deep. Growing up in a family business founded in the 1970s, Kelsey’s introduction to business came at an early age, where his hands-on experience shaped the foundation for what would become a dynamic career.
After graduating from St. John’s Ravenscourt and later from the University of Manitoba, Kelsey’s passion for the human side of nutrition led to the co-founding of Innotech Nutrition.
Over the course of 15 years, Kelsey helped build Innotech Nutrition into a recognized player in the health and wellness industry. The nutraceutical company successfully launched over 30 brands, securing shelf space in major retail stores and growing the business to over $25 million. As president, Kelsey was responsible for overseeing financial projections, marketing strategies, and ensuring all compliance submissions to Health Canada were met for the company’s Natural Product Numbers (NPNs).
In the years following, Kelsey recognized a unique opportunity in the cannabis industry. After the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada, Kelsey joined Delta 9 BioTech, where they played a pivotal role in developing the company’s business-to-business division. Leveraging the company’s modular Grow Pod technology, Kelsey led efforts to design, certify, and launch over 30 indoor cannabis cultivation facilities across the country.
Over the span of five years, Kelsey helped grow the division’s sales to $30 million. In late 2024, after six highly successful years at Delta 9, Kelsey partnered with the Nebula Group to purchase his business-to-business division, founding NEBULA Grow. The company focuses on Contained Environment Agriculture (CEA), Health Canada certifi cations, and CEA consulting, continuing Kelsey’s commitment to advancing sustainable, innovative agriculture solutions.
A commitment to philanthropy has always been at the core of Kelsey’s values as he grew up in a household where giving back was a priority. Kelsey and his soon to be partner, Robin, became increasingly more aware of the pressing issues facing Canada’s First Nations communities. Particularly access to clean water and affordable, fresh food as it was pushed to the forefront of our news feeds in 2020. Inspired to make a real, meaningful difference, they co-founded NIBI Enviro Tech in mid 2020.
The company specializes in rapid-deployment, modular solutions for water purification and “grow anything” technology, aiming to provide sustainable, practical solutions to underserved communities across Canada. Through NIBI Enviro Tech, Kelsey and their team are helping to bring lasting change by addressing critical needs with cutting-edge technology. The company’s work has already made a significant impact in communities across Canada, bringing clean water and the ability to grow fresh food where it’s most needed.