Five student-led ventures tackling critical food industry issues—from plastic-free packaging to AI-powered cultivated fat—have received funding through the Canadian Food Innovation Network’s (CFIN) NextGen Food Innovators program.
The program is designed to accelerate the development of pre-commercial, science-based technologies by supporting student entrepreneurs with funding to validate, refine, and explore the market potential of their innovations.
One startup was selected from each of CFIN’s five regions—Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies, and the West—ensuring national representation.
Each winning venture is working on intellectual property-driven solutions with applications in food processing, safety, packaging, or alternative proteins.
Representing the Prairie region is Chromasense Technologies, a startup out of the University of Calgary.
Founded by Parker Mikkelsen and Kathryn Wolfe, Chromasense is developing low-cost sensors for smart packaging that detect food spoilage in real time. The innovation is designed to replace traditional “best before” dates with freshness indicators that more accurately reflect product quality.
By providing clearer data on food condition, Chromasense’s technology aims to cut down on food waste, reduce the risk of foodborne illness, and bring greater transparency across the food supply chain.
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