CFIN — Foodtech Frontier 25
Last Update: July 21, 2025
Canada
Honouring top Canadian innovators in food technology sector
CFIN — Foodtech Frontier 25 at a glance
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Open Date : May 7, 2025
- Closing date : July 10, 2025
Financing Type
Other Support
Partnering and Collaboration
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Accommodation and food services
Grant Providers
- Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)
Status
Closed
Overview of the CFIN — Foodtech Frontier 25 program
The Foodtech Frontier 25 program, led by the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN), recognizes the top 25 innovative food technology companies in Canada, providing them with national exposure, strategic partnership opportunities, and access to potential investment. There is no direct funding amount specified; instead, benefits include increased visibility, media coverage, networking, and the opportunity for selected firms to secure investment from Redstick Ventures, targeting activities across cleantech, food manufacturing technology, supply chain innovation, and other foodtech categories.
Eligible projects & activities
- Development and commercialization of innovative food technology solutions.
- Implementation of technologies enhancing food processing, distribution, or retail sustainability and efficiency.
- Creation and scaling of solutions to reduce food waste and improve circularity in the food sector.
- Adoption of new digital or manufacturing technologies to advance food safety, traceability, and supply chain management.
- Design of consumer-oriented apps and services related to food, nutrition, or sustainable packaging.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 48,000
Launching a digital tool to optimize regional food logistics networks
$ 47,000
Rollout of smart labeling to boost supermarket food traceability
$ 50,000
Implementation of AI-based spoilage detection in cold storage facilities
$ 48,000
Development of a circular economy app for restaurant food waste reduction
$ 47,000
Piloting automated compostable packaging in ready-meal production
$ 48,000
Upgrading bakeries with automated dough portioning to boost sustainability
Eligibility criteria of the CFIN — Foodtech Frontier 25 program
- The company must be headquartered in Canada with Canadian majority ownership.
- The company must have been founded in 2000 or later.
- The majority of company revenues must be generated from its own proprietary property or technology.
- The company, its directors, or officers must not be subject to any legal proceedings that could adversely affect the business.
- The company must be in good standing with the Government of Canada.
- The primary business activity and majority of revenues must come from eligible food technology categories (such as cleantech, food waste and circularity, food manufacturing technology, kitchen & restaurant technology, digital supply chain, next-generation ingredients and food/beverage, food safety and traceability, consumer apps and services, or packaging).
- The applicant must be a member of the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN); membership is free.
Who is eligible?
- Canadian foodtech companies headquartered in Canada
- Companies specializing in cleantech for the food industry
- Companies focused on food waste reduction and circularity
- Companies offering innovative food manufacturing technologies
- Companies developing kitchen and restaurant technology
- Companies providing digital supply chain solutions for food and beverage
- Companies working on next-generation food and beverage ingredients
- Companies focused on food safety and traceability technology
- Companies offering consumer food-related apps and services
- Companies creating novel food packaging solutions
Who is not eligible
- Companies not headquartered in Canada or without Canadian majority ownership.
- Companies founded before 2000.
- Businesses whose primary revenues come from licensing technology from another company, rather than their own proprietary technology.
- Companies, directors, or officers subject to legal proceedings that might adversely affect the business.
- Companies not in good standing with the Government of Canada.
Eligible geographic areas
- Companies headquartered in Canada with Canadian majority ownership.
Eligibility criteria of the CFIN — Foodtech Frontier 25 program
- Value Proposition (10 points): Strength and uniqueness of the business offering within the food sector.
- Innovation (10 points): Degree of technical or business innovation demonstrated.
- Revenue Model (10 points): Soundness and viability of the company’s revenue generation approach.
- Market Potential (10 points): Demonstrated and projected growth potential in the marketplace.
- Investment Attraction (10 points): Track record and ability to attract external investment, including grants and private equity.
- Founders Strength (10 points): Skills and experience of the founders relevant to business success.
- Team Strength (10 points): Competence and expertise of the broader team and advisors.
- Revenues (25 points): Actual revenue figures attained to date.
- Revenue Growth (5 points): Demonstrated revenue growth over time.
How to apply to the CFIN — Foodtech Frontier 25 program
1
Verify eligibility requirements
- Review the eligibility criteria outlined by CFIN
- Ensure your company is a Canadian-owned foodtech business fitting one of the eligible categories
2
Become a CFIN member
- Register for a free CFIN membership on the official website
- Log in or create your membership account to access the application portal
3
Complete company profile
- Access the CFIN application portal during the open period
- Complete your company profile with requested business, contact, and demographic information
4
Complete application questions
- Answer all required application questions regarding competitive advantage, growth potential, investment, and team
- Prepare concise, detailed responses for each section
5
Upload supporting documents
- Upload required supporting documents such as your company logo, innovation images, and any other relevant files
- Optionally, upload a video presentation (3-5 minutes) outlining your innovation and business value
6
Submit your application
- Review your complete application for accuracy and completeness
- Submit your application through the CFIN portal by the deadline (July 10, 2025 at 11:59pm local time)
7
Await results notification
- Wait for CFIN’s review and selection process
- Expect notification of results by late September 2025
Additional information
- Selected companies will be featured on the CFIN website and YODL platform, and included in press releases and promotional activities.
- Applicants who are chosen will be invited to a regional celebration event for Foodtech Frontier 25 honourees.
- Applicants may consent to share information with Redstick Ventures for possible investment opportunities, with the option to opt out.
- Membership with the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) is free and required to apply.
Contact Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)
info@cfin-rcia.ca
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