CFIN has supported 65 foodtech projects and awarded more than $19 million to Canadian food and beverage innovators since launching in 2021. To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting (in alphabetical order) some of the women-led food tech projects we’ve funded.
Rebecca Aldworth
Co-Founder and CEO
Harvest Moon Foods Inc.
Léry, QC’s Harvest Moon Foods is the first company in Canada to produce animal-free casein through precision fermentation. In January 2024 the company received funding to develop a pilot project demonstrating recombinant casein production and applications to assess its scalability. The project is in partnership with a leading dairy manufacturer and food ingredient companies.
Maddie Aliasl
CTO/Business Director
CanDry Technologies Inc.
CanDry Technologies, located in Vancouver, has used vacuum, microwave, and infrared technologies to develop a patented low-temperature dehydration system that preserves nutrients while significantly cutting dehydration costs. In January 2024 the company received funding to customize its prototype technology to meet the specific requirements of the Canadian agri-food sector. CanDry’s partners in the project are Blueridge Produce, Susgrainable Health Foods Inc., and the British Columbia Blueberry Council.
Erin Gilchrist
Manager, Scientific Affairs
Renaissance BioScience Corp.
Based in Vancouver, Renaissance BioScience Corp. has developed a proprietary clean-label, non-GMO yeast technology to convert off-flavours in plant-based proteins using natural fermentation. The company’s goal is to increase the consumer appeal and versatility of plant-based options with a cost-effective and sustainable alternative. Renaissance received funding in January 2024 to test the technology in manufacturing settings in collaboration with food industry partners C-Merak and Big Mountain Foods.
Suzanne Iwankow
CFO/COO
CleanBands Systems Ltd.
Charlottetown, PE-based CleanBands Systems is developing wearable technology that helps food workers ensure they are following proper handwashing procedures. The technology indicates handwashing status, and tracks all hand hygiene events to ensure standards are met. In February 2023 CleanBands received funding to develop and commercialize its hand hygiene solution and pilot it with various quick-service restaurants in PEI. The project is 18% complete, and is currently being tested in four different businesses, allowing the company to make any software and hardware corrections. The equipment was positively noted during a health inspector visit.
Jenny Lemieux
Co-Founder and CEO
Vivid Machines Inc.
Toronto’s Vivid Machines has developed a multispectral computer vision and intelligence system to digitize fruit production and provide real-time insights to help fruit growers increase yield while reducing food waste. The company received funding in January 2023 to use the technology to create digital twins of orchards with industry partners Algoma Orchard and Blue Mountain Fruit company. Now 50% complete, the project has so far resulted in a new trademark in the UK and EU, machine learning algorithms, a data pipeline, dashboards, visualization tools, new software builds, and training for customers.
Fei Luo
Co-Founder and CEO
Liven Proteins Corp.
Toronto’s Liven Proteins Corp. makes animal-free, functional and sustainable protein ingredients. The company received funding in January 2023 to optimize its bioprocess for upcycling starch streams and to test additional side streams in the food industry as a starting material to build a versatile fermentation platform for animal-free protein manufacturing. The project is now complete, and the company has developed some proprietary processes to produce animal-free collagen. It has also secured a new lab.
Beth Mason
CEO
Verschuren Centre Inc. for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment
The Verschuren Centre is an independent, not-for-profit clean technology development and deployment facility in Sydney, NS. The centre received funding in September 2023 for a project to construct a unique 10,000-L precision fermentation facility with integrated AI, advanced automation, digital twin technology and machine learning. Partners for the project are Liven Proteins, NovoBind Livestock Therapeutics, Material Futures Lab, Dispersa, and Mara Renewables. The project, which will help companies bridge the gap between innovation and commercial scale deployment, is 25% complete. The centre is also currently designing automation equipment and hiring expert talent.
Melanie Morrison
Founder and CEO
BetterCart Technologies Inc./BetterCart Analytics
Saskatoon, SK-based BetterCart Analytics is an AI-driven competitive pricing intelligence solution for local and regional food companies and grocery chains. The company received funding in February 2023 to develop and advance its price analytics and competitive intelligence feature suite. Pilot partners for the project are Fresh City Farms, Jordans Dorset Ryvita, Melitta Canada, and Distribution Canada Inc. The project is now 50% complete, and BetterCart has developed some proprietary processes including machine learning algorithms to indicate when grocery products are regularly priced or on sale.
Laura Richard
COO
Saltwinds Coffee Company Ltd.
Douglas, NB-based Saltwinds Coffee Company offers coffee beans with a unique Maritime flavour, roasted using a carbon-friendly technique. Saltwinds received funding in January 2023 to explore how to scale a proof-of-concept carbon capture system to reduce carbon emissions in coffee roasting, which it has now completed. Since then the company has filed three new trademarks, including the SALTWINDS name and logo in the U.S., and the OCEAN AIR COFFEE trademark in Canada.
Kirsten Schwarz
CFO
Crush Dynamics Inc.
Summerland, BC-based Crush Dynamics is an agritech company using grape derivatives and agricultural waste to create food ingredients through a targeted fermentation process. The company is developing a polyphenol-rich ingredient that enables food products to be made with less sugar and sodium, while improving texture and shelf life. Crush Dynamics received funding in December 2023 to demonstrate the production process at scale with project partners Purdys Chocolatier and Ecovatec Solutions Inc. The project is 20% complete, and the product has been tested in powders, purées, and tomato sauce.
Jennifer St. Onge
Senior Manager of Operations
New School Foods Inc.
Toronto’s New School Foods uses innovative production technologies to create meat and seafood alternatives, including a salmon fillet that replicates salmon muscle fibres and connective tissue. As a result the product offers the same texture and mouthfeel as traditional salmon. In May 2023 New School Foods received funding to create the novel equipment needed to develop its salmon fillet. The project is now 90% complete.
Megan Takeda-Tully
Co-founder and CEO
Suppli Sustainable Services Inc.
Located in Toronto, Suppli uses a unique technology platform to offer a reusable takeout container service for online food channels. The end-to-end solution allows customers and restaurants to order and complete deliveries as usual, and then return used containers to Suppli’s drop-off bins to be cleaned at a commercial dishwashing facility. In November 2022 Suppli received funding to build this circular supply chain platform, and it is now complete. Since then the company has also established a partnership with Uber Eats.
Lesley Thompson
Vice President, Sustainability and Communications
FoodCycle Science Corporation
Cleantech company Food Cycle Science has developed technology that processes food waste to reduce its weight and volume by up to 90%, while converting it into valuable resources for enriching soil. In March 2023 the Ottawa company received funding to develop a “one-bin” system of enzyme degradation to process food waste and bioplastics together. The project is 10% complete, and Food Cycle Science has filed a new patent for its one-bin system. The company also has a new hire to lead its enzyme-related research.
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