Upcoming Opportunities - August 7, 2024

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1. Food Manufacturing Trends in Quebec – Join CFIN at the Advanced Design & Manufacturing (ADM) Montreal Expo this November! We’ll be hosting a panel discussion on manufacturing advancements crucial to the food and beverage industry. Come and learn about innovations in packaging, processing, automation, energy efficiency, and beyond that will help you stay ahead in the sector. Event Dates: November 13-14, 2024.?
2. Generation Next Awards for Emerging Grocery Industry Leaders – Canadian Grocer's Generation Next Awards recognize up-and-coming leaders under 40 for their commitment, innovation, leadership, and community involvement in the grocery industry. Nominate deserving individuals or yourself to celebrate the industry's New Exciting Thinkers (NEXT). Nomination Deadline is September 7, 2024.?
3. Food Science Experts Needed for Cutting-Edge Recipe Book – CFIN is collaborating with a recipe company on an internationally published, multi-volume book focusing on baking—cakes, quick breads, laminated doughs, enriched doughs, pies, cookies, doughnuts, and everything else imaginable. We’d love to hear from experts for their perspective on food science, foodtech, ingredients, and equipment that will impact traditional and innovative baking methods. Check out this YODL post to see how you can contribute!?
4. CFIA Seeks Feedback on Labelling Guidelines for Alt-Egg Products – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is inviting industry stakeholders to provide feedback on the newly proposed plant-based egg product guidelines. The survey will help shape the guidelines that give food businesses all the necessary information they need to comply with the legislation for labelling and representing alt-egg products. Survey closes on October 28, 2024.?

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STILL ACTIVE?

These were in previous Upcoming Opportunities posts. We’ll continue to include them here until they are no longer active.??

1. Singapore and Thailand Agrifoodtech Opportunities – The Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) program provides support to Canadian foodtech startups seeking to expand into Singapore and Thailand. Both countries are fully embracing food innovation—the CTA program helps companies establish new partnerships, validate go-to-market plans, and offers strategic guidance on entering these high-growth markets. Deadline to apply is August 21.?
2. CFIN Innovation Booster Summer 2024 Call – CFIN is offering funding for SMEs (businesses with fewer than 499 employees and under $50 million in revenue) to advance their food innovation and research outcomes. Projects must start by September 1, 2024, and end by March 31, 2025. Eligible projects can receive up to $50,000, covering 50% of total costs. Deadline to apply is August 23.?
3. Fortune 500 Company Seeking Natural Appetite Suppression Ingredient Solutions – A top Fortune 500 is looking to fund research on natural ingredient solutions that can effectively curb "food noise" (or food cravings) while adapting to their existing supply chain, remaining cost-effective, and suitable for implementation across frozen food, beverage, and snacking categories. The brand is offering $50K for proof of concept with potential funding for further development. Deadline to apply is August 31.
4. Women in Food Industry Management (WFIM) Scholarship – WFIM has partnered with Club Coffee to offer a scholarship supporting innovators in food sustainability, focusing on water management, sustainable packaging, and food waste reduction. The scholarship provides a $2,000 sponsorship award for the winning recipient. Deadline to apply is August 31.?
5. Grocery Impact Conference 2024 Speaker Nominations Open – Progressive Grocer's annual Grocery Impact Conference will take place in Orlando on November 6-8, 2024. This year’s theme is "The Power of People" — the conference is seeking nominations for speakers and sessions exploring new leadership strategies in the transforming grocery industry. Nomination deadline is September 16, 2024.?
6. Competition Bureau Seeks Feedback on Greenwashing Provisions – Canada's Competition Bureau recently launched a public consultation relating to new greenwashing provisions in the Competition Act. Businesses are now required to have testing or substantiation to support certain environmental claims, and the Bureau is seeking feedback — from the food and beverage industry and beyond — to help shape their enforcement guidance. Survey closes on September 27.?
7. 2024 CIFST Awards Program Nominations Open – The Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology (CIFST) is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Institute Awards, recognizing career excellence, outstanding leadership, and other contributions to the industry. Nominations for the Institute Awards may be submitted by individual CIFST members or regional Sections of CIFST. Nomination deadline is September 27.?
8. AI Startup Pitch Night: Opportunity for Foodtech AI Ventures – Vancouver’s Zenith Venture Studio and Careerin Tech Society are inviting AI startups to apply for their online pitch events. Selected startups can win $200K in resources and investment, plus free pitch deck coaching and investor feedback. Applications are ongoing.?
9. New School Foods is Hiring – One of Canada’s most exciting and innovative alternative protein companies, Toronto-based New School Foods, is looking to fill several positions across their R&D, Operations, and Engineering departments. Applications are ongoing.?
10. CFIN Funding for Atlantic Canada Members – CFIN is still accepting applications for our funding program: Unpuzzling: Greening your Food Manufacturing Operation Program . Available for Atlantic Canada members only, successful applicants receive funding covering 70% of the costs of engaging a third-party consultant to help improve the sustainability—and profitability—of their businesses. Applications are ongoing.?
11. AAFC AgriScience Funding Program Opens – The AgriScience Program was created to accelerate innovation by providing funding and support for pre-commercial science activities and research that benefits Canada’s agri-food sector. Learn more about funding opportunities in this YODL post . Applications are ongoing.?
12. Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub Applications Open – The Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub (GOAH) is now accepting applications from Ontario-based agri-food companies. GOAH offers 25 hours of customized mentorship, essential business resources, and professional support services to help innovative companies advance their solutions to market. Applications are ongoing.?