Funding to grow your food service business

Food service is changing rapidly—shaped by new consumer habits, digital tools, and growing pressure for efficiency and sustainability. To stay ahead, businesses must modernize operations, invest in equipment, and rethink the customer experience. At helloDarwin, we help food service companies access grants, tax credits, and financing to support their transformation and growth.

From research to securing grants

The world of grants is vast and complex. helloDarwin supports you at every step of the process. Our grant experts will guide you to optimize and maximize your funds. Here’s an overview of how we assist you.

Grant scouting for your business

Active monitoring of grants and tax credits based on your investment plans to identify all relevant opportunities in advance.

Strategic plan and validation with funders

A personalized plan is developed by our team of analysts. We directly contact funders to validate the eligibility of your projects.

Writing your funding applications

Our team of analysts takes care of everything: gathering information, technical writing, and strategic positioning to maximize your chances of approval.

Financing solutions for your food services projects

Get grants for food services: kitchen upgrades, digital tools, hiring, or customer experience. Fund your projects with the right program, fast.

MFOR

The MFOR program covers up to 50% of internal training costs to help Quebec businesses strengthen employee skills and adapt to workforce and operational needs.

CanExport SME

CanExport SME offers up to $50,000 to help Canadian businesses fund export marketing and expand into new international markets.

ESSOR

The ESSOR program supports businesses with funding for expansion, productivity, and innovation projects, helping accelerate growth and competitiveness.

C3I

The C3i tax credit supports Québec businesses of all sectors by offering tax incentives on eligible investments in equipment and technology that enhance productivity and modernization.

PSCE

PSCE supports Quebec businesses with grants for commercialization and export projects, offering up to $250,000/year for market expansion and certification.

CT ITC Tax Credit

The Clean Tech ITC offers a generous refundable tax credit to help Canadian businesses invest in clean technology and boost their sustainable growth.

Free

/ MONTH

Free forever.

Find the grants your business is eligible for and estimate your funding potential.

Key features:

Access to our grant search engine

Access to 3 grant profiles per month

Estimation of potential grant eligibility

Monthly and weekly grant reports

Pro

$249

/ MONTH

Monthly

Yearly

Access the information, the right tools, and our expertise, when you need it.

All free features plus:

AI assistant specialized in grants

Personalized real-time alerts

Practical guides and exclusive templates

Consultation with an expert to align your grant potential

Consulting

Custom

Dedicated team

Perfect for your unique needs.

Achieve your funding goals with a strategic team by your side and a platform to support you.

Everything included in the platform Pro plus :

Writing and management of all your grants

A specialized team in government funds assigned to your business

Full management of your tenders

Annual strategic plan and regular updates

Schedule your call today!

Frequently asked questions about our service for food services companies

Explore the most common questions food service businesses have about accessing government funding—and how helloDarwin can help you secure it.

Who is helloDarwin?

helloDarwin is a Canadian digital platform and custom consulting service that helps businesses secure non-dilutive public funding—grants, tax credits, wage subsidies, and subsidized loans—without giving up equity. It combines a searchable database of 4,000+ government programs (over $760M in available support) with smart matching that aligns opportunities to a company’s sector, province, and project type. The platform automates eligibility checks, monitors new programs weekly, and provides real-time application tracking.

In parallel, helloDarwin’s advisors deliver tailored diagnostics, funding strategies, application writing, and coordination with funders. It supports projects such as digital transformation, AI adoption, hiring and training, market expansion, sustainability, R&D, and capital investment, with strong expertise serving SMBs in retail, food processing, hospitality, agriculture, arts and culture, construction, manufacturing, and tourism across Canada.

How does helloDarwin's Custom Plan work?

We offer a comprehensive service that includes research, writing, and submission of grant applications tailored to your business needs. Our goal is to maximize your chances of securing funding.

Grant monitoring and a personnalized action plan for your business

A weekly monitoring of over 3,000 Canadian grants is conducted, accompanied by an analysis of your current expenses and a personalized roadmap tailored to your business.

Preparation and writing of grant applications

Writing grant applications to meet the key requirements of funding organizations and maximize your approval rate.

Coordination with stakeholders

Thanks to our partnerships with funding organizations, helloDarwin handles relationships with all stakeholders involved in the decision-making process.

Monitoring and funding optimization platform

Personalized platform with access to the status of grant applications, paired with a dedicated account manager for your files.

What are the benefits of using a grant support service?

Working with helloDarwin allows you to save time, reduce errors in your applications, and access expertise that increases your chances of approval by funding providers. Thanks to our partnerships with them, we handle communications to meet the key requirements of all stakeholders.

What types of funding are available for food service businesses?

Food service businesses can access grants, tax credits, loans, and wage subsidies for equipment, hiring, modernization, and sustainability.

Can restaurants and catering services apply for government funding?

Yes. Most programs are open to restaurants, caterers, cafés, and other food-related businesses.

Is funding available for kitchen equipment or renovations?

Absolutely. Many grants support upgrades to improve efficiency, safety, and environmental performance.

Can I get funding to develop a food delivery service or app?

Yes. Digital innovation projects, including online ordering systems or delivery apps, are often eligible.

Is hiring new staff eligible for government funding?

Yes. Wage subsidies and training grants are available to help food service businesses grow their teams.