Canadian Food Innovation Network’s funding programs receive enthusiastic response

Proving Canadian food sector leaders are actively looking for ways to invigorate their businesses through innovation, the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) is pleased to report that the launch of its inaugural Food Innovation Challenge and Innovation Booster funding programs are mobilizing and connecting with food innovators across Canada.

“As a new organization launching programs amidst both a pandemic and an election, I was excited to see CFIN’s programs capture the food sector’s attention,” notes Dana McCauley, chief experience officer at CFIN. “Since our programs were announced on September 28, over 350 people signed up for our video info sessions, our team has responded to over 100 unique questions and application guide requests and our community has grown to over 500 members, indicating that food businesses across Canada want to be more innovative.”

CFIN’s funding programs are supported by the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund, which recognizes that Canada can have global impact by ensuring our food sector is innovating to create leading-edge products and processes, improve food ecosystem sustainability and demonstrate world-class leadership in our efforts to continuously improve the agility and safety of our supply chains.

“We are proud to support innovation in the food ecosystem that have a real impact on Canadians’ everyday lives while creating well-paying jobs. CFIN is leading the way with their Food Innovation Challenge and Innovation Booster, helping businesses adopt new technologies and bringing exciting new products to the market,” says François-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry.

Food industry leaders and innovators collaborating on transformative innovation projects that will create new business opportunities can apply for the Food Innovation Challenge by November 15. More info about the program is shared in this video.

CFIN’s ongoing intake Innovation Booster program is accepting applications for projects that need help to break down innovation barriers and speed up the pace of commercialization. More info about the Innovation Booster program is shared in this video.