The Canadian Food Innovation Network today released its inaugural “Foodtech in Canada Ecosystem Report.”
The CFIN posits that the ecosystem report represents the most comprehensive overview of Canada’s foodtech ecosystem to date.
The report leverages foodtech data intelligence from Forward Fooding, a global foodtech ecosystem platform, to provide a review of more than 300 Canadian companies, with data “enriched by expert insights from Canada’s leading food industry figures.”
With strengths like access to a network of research and innovation hubs and government-backed programs for foodtech innovation, the report suggests that Canada’s ecosystem has made strides over the past several years.
“Canada’s foodtech ecosystem has made remarkable progress over the last decade, driving transformative innovations that enhance sustainability, boost economic productivity, and create jobs nationwide,” stated Dana McCauley, chief executive officer of CFIN. “CFIN is fully committed to empowering homegrown innovators and fostering solutions that will shape the future of food technology in Canada.”
“Foodtech in Canada” charts over $4.1B in Canadian agri-food-tech investments between 2014 and 2024, in which $2.3B went to foodtech projects specifically.
The report also notes that, while Canadian foodtech has seen a “healthy inbound” of investments, one concern is that our startups see more public funding and less venture capital backing than counterparts in the US and the UK.
Regionally, the report references multiple entities from Alberta, including Knead and Haskalife, two upstarts who recently made headlines on Calgary.tech.
Launched in 2022, Calgary-based Knead Tech last month raised $800,000 in pre-seed funding to expand its mission of reducing food waste and improving food access.
The funding round, which values the startup at $3.5 million, will support product development, U.S. expansion, and new partnerships as the startup works to digitally transform the food rescue sector.
Founded by CEO Lourdes Juan, Knead Tech has been described as an “Uber for food rescue,” using technology to connect surplus food donors with non-profits to ensure excess food reaches those in need.
The funding round included investors ScaleGood, UCEED Social Impact Fund, and BDC Thrive Lab—making Knead Tech the first Alberta company to receive funding from BDC’s impact-focused initiative.
Knead was also recently selected as a finalist in the AgTech & Food category at the 17th annual SXSW Pitch competition.
The freshly CFIN-boosted Haskalife meanwhile is named after Haskap berries, “which are renowned for their high anthocyanin content and anti-inflammatory properties,” according to chief executive officer Kiren Singh.
haskalife is conducting an independent clinical trial to explore the cardio-metabolic and cognitive benefits of its Pure Haskap Berry formulation in women over 35, a group at higher risk of hypertension and acuity impacts.
The report also notes Alberta Innovates, which has long been a supporter of advancing regional agtech.
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