Foodpreneur Start-Up Seminars
ON, Canada
Start-up support for entrepreneurs in southwestern Ontario
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateNovember 12, 2021
grant_single|financingType
Expert Advice
Other Support
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Accommodation and food services
grant_single|grantors
- Foodpreneur Advantage
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grant_card_status|open
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If you are developing a food venture, or are ready to expand and scale your operation, join a monthly series of free online seminars and training opportunities in the food and beverage industry.
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The grants are targeting businesses in the early stages of development in the food and beverage industry, offering support in various areas to aid their growth and compliance with industry regulations.
- Starting a Food Business & Regulatory Compliance
- Creating a Business Model
- Doing Market Research
- Analyzing the Competition
- Understanding Fire Code Compliance & Building Permits
- Understanding Zoning Requirements, Municipal Bylaws & Licensing
- Complying with Food Safety Requirements
- Selling Your Food Product
- Setting Your Pricing for Success
- Positioning Your Product on the Market
- Building an Audience
- Costing & Pricing Products to Make Profits
- Understanding COGS
- Cash Flow Management
- Planning for Profits
- Marketing & Branding Your Food Product
- Creating a Visual Identity
- Packaging Considerations
- Labelling Requirements
- Avoiding Labelling and Packaging Mistakes
- Selling to Food Retailers
- Breaking Down a Sales Call
- Creating a Sales Call Plan
- Overcoming Objections
- Closing the Deal and Following Up
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$8,000
Toronto
Launching an organic smoothie bar with focus on compliance and market positioning
$7,500
Calgary
Developing a gluten-free snack line with focus on branding and packaging
$7,000
Vancouver
Expanding a vegan bakery to comply with safety and fire codes
$8,000
Montreal
Launching a craft brewery with a focus on market research and sales planning
$9,000
Edmonton
Creating a farm-to-table restaurant focusing on compliance and market positioning
$6,500
Ottawa
Enhancing a local cheese factory’s compliance and marketing activities
grant_single_labels|admissibility
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for this grant include:
- Costs related to attending the Start-up Seminars
- Materials or resources required for the seminars
- Any expenses directly connected to implementing the knowledge gained from the seminars into your food and beverage business
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant include various regions in Canada.
- Canada-wide
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Sign up for the seminar you're interested in, based on the topic you want to learn about and the scheduled date.
- Step 2: Attend the seminar to gain valuable insights and knowledge about starting and running a food business.
- Step 3: Apply the knowledge gained from the seminar to prepare your business plan and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Step 4: Utilize the provided resources, such as financial forecasting spreadsheets, to develop a viable business model.
- Step 5: Implement the strategies and insights on marketing, branding, pricing, labelling, packaging, and sales to optimize your business operations.
- Step 6: Follow up with the seminar instructors or consultants for any further guidance or clarification needed to enhance your business plan.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The seminars provide vital guidance on various aspects of launching and growing a food business, from creating a business model to successfully closing sales with retailers.
- Each seminar lasts for 60 minutes and is offered four times per year.
- Industry experts such as Nicole Haney and Amanda DeVries are featured speakers.
- Topics include regulatory compliance, market research, pricing, branding, and packaging.
- Participants receive practical tools such as an Excel Financial Forecasting spreadsheet.
- Next sessions for the various topics start from August 22nd, 2024, and continue weekly until September 26th, 2024.
Apply to this program
Grant Summary
This series of free online seminars is designed to assist food and beverage entrepreneurs in Canada with critical aspects of starting and running their businesses. The sessions cover topics such as business model creation, regulatory compliance, costing and pricing strategies, marketing and branding, labelling and packaging, and selling to food retailers.
In-Depth Guide to the Food and Beverage Business Seminar Series
Launching a food or beverage business in Canada involves navigating a complex landscape of regulations, market strategies, financial planning, branding, and sales techniques. To support aspiring and existing food entrepreneurs, a comprehensive series of free, one-hour online seminars is being offered. These sessions provide crucial insights and actionable advice on various aspects of starting and running a successful food or beverage business. Below is a detailed examination of each seminar.
Starting a Food Business & Regulatory Compliance
This seminar is tailored for individuals in the early stages of developing their food or beverage business. The session provides a foundational understanding of essential steps required to establish a business model, conduct market research, analyze competitors, and define a value proposition. Participants will also learn how to navigate the regulatory landscape, ensuring compliance with fire codes, building permits, zoning requirements, municipal bylaws, licensing, and food safety requirements.
Attendees will leave with a better comprehension of the requirements to start their businesses on solid ground, empowering them with knowledge to avoid costly mistakes and efficiently move through the initial stages of business creation.
How to Sell Your Food Product
Designed for those struggling with sales, this session delves into strategies for successfully marketing and positioning food products. The seminar covers pricing methodologies, positioning techniques, and audience-building strategies to convert casual interest into dedicated customer bases. Nicole Haney, former Founder & CEO of Boho Bars, shares her expertise in securing sales across various platforms, including markets, online, and retail environments.
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the sales process, ensuring that their hard work in product development translates to financial success through effective sales strategies.
Costing & Pricing to Make Profits
This seminar emphasizes the importance of understanding Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), cash flow management, and profit planning. It is particularly beneficial for those who need to align their operational decisions with their financial health. The session provides participants with tools such as Excel Financial Forecasting spreadsheets – both blank and example-filled – to plan and manage their finances effectively.
Attendees will learn to create cash flow projections and income statements, facilitating better budgeting and financial decision-making practices that can lead to a profitable business.
Marketing & Branding Your Food Product
This seminar focuses on creating a compelling brand for food or beverage products and effectively marketing them to the right audience. Amanda DeVries of Eye Candy Design, an expert in branding for food and beverage companies, guides participants through the process of crafting a visual identity, understanding the nuances of designing for various selling platforms, and making calculated marketing decisions to resonate with target customers.
Attendees will leave with enhanced knowledge of how to build and sustain a brand, crucial for standing out in a competitive marketplace.
Labelling & Packaging Your Food Product
In this session, participants are guided through the essential elements of labelling and packaging, intersecting marketing with regulatory compliance. The seminar provides insights into selecting suitable packaging, meeting labelling requirements, and avoiding common pitfalls. Nicole Haney lends her expertise on presenting a product that is both attractive and compliant with regulatory standards.
Entrepreneurs will acquire the knowledge necessary to ensure their products are visually appealing and legally compliant, providing a seamless confluence of marketing and safety protocols.
Selling to Food Retailers
This seminar is geared towards those who are new to selling consumer packaged goods (CPG) to retail stores. It breaks down the sales call process into seven clear steps, from preparation to closing the deal and follow-up. Paul Dromgole, a seasoned expert with extensive training and experience in sales, provides actionable strategies for overcoming objections and establishing a standardized sales process.
Participants will gain the skills necessary to develop and execute a successful sales strategy, paving the way for scaling their business through new retail accounts.
Conclusion
Each seminar in this series offers valuable insights and practical knowledge to help food and beverage entrepreneurs thrive in the competitive Canadian market. By covering a broad spectrum of essential business concerns—from regulatory compliance and financial planning to sales and marketing strategies—these sessions equip participants with the tools needed for business success. Don’t miss the opportunity to enhance your understanding and capabilities in the food and beverage industry by attending these informative seminars.
