Five student-led foodtech ventures land $50K from Canadian Food Innovation Network

The Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) has awarded nearly $50,000 to five student-led startups through its NextGen Food Innovators program, which supports post-secondary entrepreneurs developing science-backed solutions for the food industry.

Among the winners is PhyCo Technologies, a Simon Fraser University venture working on a seaweed-based coating that could replace plastic packaging while extending the shelf life of produce like cucumbers and berries. The startup received $10,000 to optimize its bio-coating and test it on food-grade packaging materials.

“This support from CFIN comes at a pivotal moment,” said PhyCo co-founder and CEO Ranah Chavoshi. “With this pilot, we’re not just extending shelf life—we’re reshaping what food preservation can look like in a climate-conscious world.”

The five selected teams span the country—BC, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and PEI—and each project is rooted in intellectual property with commercial potential. Other areas of focus include food safety, alternative proteins, and eco-friendly packaging. All projects are currently at early R&D stages.

“Canada’s food sector needs bold thinkers who can turn new ideas into real-world solutions,” said Dana McCauley, CEO of CFIN. “Through the NextGen Food Innovators Program, we’re helping student founders develop both their technologies and their entrepreneurial skills.”

To date, CFIN has invested more than $20 million into nearly 100 foodtech projects across Canada.