CFIN — Unpuzzling: Foodtech Ontario
Last Update: July 21, 2025
ON, Canada
Mentorship program accelerating early-stage foodtech companies in Ontario
CFIN — Unpuzzling: Foodtech Ontario at a glance
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Open Date : July 2, 2025
- Closing date : August 5, 2025
Financing Type
Other Support
Partnering and Collaboration
Expert Advice
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Accommodation and food services
Grant Providers
- Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)
Status
Open
Overview of the CFIN — Unpuzzling: Foodtech Ontario program
Unpuzzling: Foodtech Ontario is a 12-week mentorship and peer cohort program designed to support early-stage foodtech companies in southern Ontario with commercialization, scaling, and market entry activities. While this initiative provides access to expert-led sessions, networking, and advisory support, it does not offer direct financial funding.
Financing terms and conditions
- Participation fee of $750 per company, covering access for up to two team members.
Eligible projects & activities
- Commercialization and scaling of innovative food technologies, products, or services beyond the farmgate.
- Development of solutions for food manufacturing technology, food waste reduction, and circularity.
- Advancement of digital supply chain processes and traceability solutions in the food sector.
- Implementation of next-generation food ingredients, packaging, and consumer-focused applications or services.
- Creation and testing of cleantech innovations for food processing, distribution, retail, and foodservice industries.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 75,000
Pilot testing of allergen-free lentil-based frozen meal range
$ 83,000
Pilot digital traceability system for plant-based snack manufacturing
$ 77,000
Launching cleantech dehydration unit for surplus produce recovery
$ 60,500
Launch of circular upcycling process for spent coffee grains
$ 65,500
Developing AI-driven food waste management platform for cafeterias
$ 71,500
Prototype development for edible biopolymer food packaging material
Eligibility criteria of the CFIN — Unpuzzling: Foodtech Ontario program
- The applicant must be an incorporated Canadian business.
- The company must be located in southern Ontario.
- The business must be an early-stage startup developing innovative food technologies, products, or services for use beyond the farmgate.
- The company must hold a free CFIN membership.
- The applicant must be committed to mentorship, market development, and collaboration.
Who is eligible?
- Startups and early-stage companies in southern Ontario
- Businesses developing innovative food technologies
- Companies focused on food products or services used beyond the farmgate
- Enterprises serving food processing, distribution, retail, or foodservice sectors
Who is not eligible
- Companies not incorporated in Canada.
- Businesses operating solely at the farm level (pre-farmgate).
- Organizations outside southern Ontario.
- Companies not involved in food technology, product, or service innovation for post-farmgate industries.
Eligible geographic areas
- Southern Ontario
How to apply to the CFIN — Unpuzzling: Foodtech Ontario program
1
Verify eligibility criteria
- Review the eligibility requirements for startups and early-stage companies in southern Ontario
- Ensure your company operates in foodtech and post-farmgate innovation sectors
2
Ensure business incorporation
- Incorporate your business in Canada, if not already done
- Ensure your company is in the post-farmgate food innovation space
3
Register for CFIN membership
- Obtain a free CFIN membership by registering on the official website
- Confirm your membership status before applying
4
Prepare application materials
- Prepare details about your company, innovation, and its fit with foodtech priority areas
- Gather all information and documents required for the application
5
Submit your application online
- Submit your completed application online during the application window (July 2 – August 5, 2025)
- Ensure submission is made on time
6
Await selection results
- Wait for participant notification by August 19, 2025
- Monitor your email for communication regarding application status
Additional information
- The program fee includes access for up to two team members per company.
- Participants will join a private digital community and resource hub via CFIN’s YODL platform.
- There will be visibility and matchmaking opportunities through CFIN’s innovation scouting activities.
- Sessions are primarily virtual but may offer select in-person opportunities.
Apply to this program
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