The Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) has announced $1.2 million in funding for 13 early-stage foodtech projects through its Innovation Booster Program. The federally supported initiative, designed to accelerate product development and market validation for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), will see an equal investment matched by industry partners, bringing the total to more than $2.4 million.
British Columbia is well represented in this funding round, with four companies—Lite-1, Miraterra Technologies, Stocky AI, and Sustainable Bioproduct Innovations—among the recipients. Their projects range from clean-label ingredients to advanced quality assurance tools and AI-driven procurement solutions.
Stocky AI, a Vancouver-based startup, is developing an AI-powered procurement platform designed to help independent food retailers compete more effectively with larger chains by optimizing procurement decisions. Meanwhile, Miraterra Technologies is applying real-time Raman spectroscopy to food production environments to improve quality assurance and traceability.
Lite-1 is working on microbial-derived colourants that offer a sustainable, natural alternative to synthetic food dyes. Sustainable Bioproduct Innovations, also based in B.C., is developing a clean-label fat replacer derived from dietary fibres—a product that could meet rising consumer demand for healthier, more transparent food ingredients.
“This group of projects directly tackles some of the food sector’s most pressing issues: rising input costs, labour shortages, food waste, and the demand for healthier ingredients,” said Dana McCauley, CEO of the Canadian Food Innovation Network. “We’re proud to support these ambitious innovators who are shaping a more sustainable and competitive Canadian food economy.”
The Innovation Booster program received 66 applications in its 12th intake round. Since its launch in 2021, the program has provided more than $5.5 million in funding to 69 Canadian foodtech companies.
To date, CFIN has awarded more than $19.8 million—matched by $22.1 million in industry investment—to 102 foodtech projects across Canada. According to the organization, funded companies have generated $90 million in economic impact, created more than 355 jobs and co-op placements, and attracted over $82 million in follow-on investment.
The Innovation Booster is administered by CFIN and supported by the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund.