Canadian Food Innovation Network unveils winners of inaugural Foodtech Frontier Awards, highlighting homegrown innovators tackling global challenges

GUELPH, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) has unveiled the winners of Foodtech Frontier, the first program in Canada dedicated to spotlighting companies building transformative solutions for the food industry.

Foodtech Frontier marks a new milestone for Canadian foodtech, highlighting 25 fast-growing companies and 10 established leaders tackling critical global challenges in sustainability, food security, health, and supply chain efficiency.

“Canada’s food sector is under pressure to adapt — groceries are more expensive, manufacturers face supply chain challenges, and small businesses are stretched thin. Yet, our country is also home to some of the most forward-thinking food innovators in the world. With Foodtech Frontier, we’re supporting the growth of these companies to strengthen our economy, create new jobs, and feed more people in a sustainable way,” says Dana McCauley, CEO of CFIN.

As part of the awards program, Redstick Ventures awarded $100,000 each to Cubbi and Dispension, providing a total of $200,000 in catalytic funding to accelerate their growth and impact.

Beyond funding for Cubbi and Dispension, all of the winners gain national recognition from CFIN and access to a powerful network of potential investors, partners, and customers to accelerate their growth.

Economic Impact of the Foodtech Frontier 2025

Collectively, these companies are already delivering $440 million in total sales, have invested $35 million in R&D over the past year, employ 1,763 people, and have raised $256 million to date. These metrics highlight the role of Canadian foodtech ventures as economic drivers that invest in innovation and create jobs, positioning the sector as a key contributor to Canada’s competitiveness in the global food economy.

Winners of the Foodtech Frontier 2025

Established Foodtech Leaders
These companies are gaining rapid traction in local and global markets, positioning themselves as emerging leaders with innovative foodtech solutions.

• SmartSkin Technologies (AC) – Sensor-enabled container monitoring systems
• Cronometer (BC) – Nutrition tracking app built on verified data
• EnWave (BC) – Vacuum-microwave REV™ dehydration technology
• Fresh Prep Foods (BC) – Meal kits with locally sourced, sustainable ingredients
• FPS Food Process Solutions (BC) – Turn-key freezing and processing systems
• Enhanced Medical Nutrition (ON) – Medical nutrition products supporting surgery and recovery
• Food Cycle Science (ON) – Closed-loop food waste solution, FoodCycler™
• Kitchen Hub (ON) – Tech-enabled food halls for restaurant scale-up
• P&P Optica (ON) – AI-powered hyperspectral imaging for food safety
• Qualtech (QC) – Stainless-steel sanitary equipment and processing systems for agri-food

Rising Stars
These companies are building innovative solutions for the food industry. While still early in market adoption, they show strong growth potential and are positioned to become future leaders in foodtech.

• Cubbi (AB) – All-in-one food service platform for businesses
• RFINE Biomass Solutions (AC) – Upcycling spent coffee grounds into nutritious ingredients
• Dispension Industries (AC) – Automated kiosks for canned beer and ready-to-drink beverages
• Freshr Sustainable Technologies (AC) – Biodegradable active packaging for seafood to prolong shelf life
• Infusd Nutrition (AC) – Clean-label solubility tech for nutrients and adaptogens
• Crush Dynamics (BC) – Upcycled grape pomace into multi-function ingredients
• Maia Farms (BC) – Mycelium-based protein ingredients
• Renaissance BioScience (BC) – Harnessing the power of microbes to develop sustainable solutions for food production, health, and environmental challenges
• ThisFish (BC) – AI-enabled seafood traceability and digital workflows
• mode40 (MB) – Digital transformation for food manufacturing
• Appetronix (ON) – AI-powered autonomous robotic kitchens
• Gastronomous Technologies (ON) – AI automation for QSR back-of-house
• Friendlier (ON) – Reusable packaging platform
• Index Biosystems (ON) – Microscopic BioTags for traceability
• Jitto (ON) – Fresh produce supply for small communities
• Local Line (ON) – Farm-to-fork commerce platform for buying and selling local food
• Myo Palate Corporation (ON) – Cultivated meat via cellular agriculture
• n!Biomachines Ltd (ON) – Scalable bioreactor systems
• Bioeureka (QC) – AI pathogen identification platform
• DeepSight Réalité Augmentée (QC) – No-code AR training for manufacturing and industrial industries
• Laboratoire Innodal (QC) – Natural anti-Listeria biocontrol solution
• Opalia (QC) – Cell-based milk without cows
• PULR Technologies (QC) – AIoT for cold chain and logistics
• Relocalize (QC) – Autonomous micro-factories for hyperlocal food production
• BetterCart Analytics (SK) – AI-powered price analytics for retailers

“From cutting-edge processing tools to smart AI solutions keeping our food safe, the companies we’re honouring today show how innovation can help the food industry grow strong in a fast-changing world — all while creating jobs, boosting the economy, and putting Canada on the map as a foodtech leader,” says the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Learn more about the Foodtech Frontier awards and the winners at www.cfin-rcia.ca/about/foodtechfrontier25.

The Foodtech Frontier Awards are made possible through the support of the Government of Canada, BDC, MNP, KPMG, and Redstick Ventures.

ABOUT THE CANADIAN FOOD INNOVATION NETWORK:

The Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) is a national organization stimulating transformative and transferable innovation within the Canadian food sector. With 7,000 members and counting, CFIN has built the country’s fastest-growing and most engaged food business community. Their members come from across the globe and represent all parts of the food value chain. CFIN’s free membership includes access to exclusive funding programs, five Regional Innovation Directors, and YODL. Members subscribed to CFIN+ get access to industry-leading data, expert connections, and exclusive perks curated to accelerate your growth.

CFIN was established in 2021 and is supported by the Government of Canada.