Three Vancouver companies are among nine recipients of nearly $770,000 in federal funding aimed at pushing Canadian food innovation beyond spreadsheets and guesswork. The Canadian Food Innovation Network's (CFIN) latest Innovation Booster round is backing projects that range from computer vision systems for seafood processing to AI platforms that help restaurants cut waste and boost customer loyalty—all part of a $1.56 million total investment when industry matching is included.
ThisFish is expanding TallyVision, its AI-powered inspection system that's already deployed for salmon and tuna, to cover shrimp, lobster, squid, and whitefish. The $99,073 project will grow the platform's computer vision library and integrate it directly with processing equipment to measure quality and track equipment performance in real time.
CEO Eric Enno Tamm says the technology has potential to exponentially improve food inspection since every fish and fillet gets photographed and analyzed. "At the same time, our AI-enabled smart camera will automate an incredibly manual task and thereby reduce costs for seafood businesses," he said. By expanding to new species, ThisFish is building what it calls the world's largest AI model library for seafood processing—helping processors cut labour costs, reduce waste, and generate precise digital records for traceability and compliance.
Hinbor landed $98,747 to refine its AI platform for quick-service restaurants, which combines real-time customer analytics with demand forecasting and automated marketing campaigns. The system is designed to increase sales and cut waste without requiring additional labour, and it's already being tested across more than 2,000 restaurants including A&W locations. CEO Jack Jia says the company is excited to change the way people eat and how restaurants operate with the technology.
BetterTable Solutions received $37,500 to digitize its food waste auditing method, which the company says can help restaurants slash waste by up to 50 per cent while tracking progress toward net-zero targets. The mobile app will automate carbon footprint calculations and generate real-time recommendations tied to UN Sustainable Development Goals. Founder Ben Liegey says the grant will help food and beverage operations make their kitchens both more sustainable and more profitable.
The funding comes as Canadian food companies face mounting pressure to modernize operations and reduce environmental impact. CFIN's Innovation Booster has now supported 78 companies with over $6.3 million since 2021, generating $90 million in economic impact and more than 355 jobs. Projects funded through the program have attracted over $82 million in follow-on investment. The other funded companies this round include Calgary's Revo Biochem, CO2Brew, and U Technology Corporation, Edmonton's Localize Your Food, Saskatchewan's BetterCart Analytics, and Quebec's Colibri Vanilla.