Upcoming Opportunities - July 3, 2024

Open Forum
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Happy Wednesday, CFIN Community.

We have four new opportunities this week, including consulting on federal procurement targets for Canadian SMEs and innovative firms. a pitch competition for Toronto CGP food startups, support for Canadian companies seeking to expand into global markets, and scholarships from the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers.

[Note – if you want to be included in this weekly YODL post, reply to this post]

NEW

  1. Survey on Government Procurement Targets for SMEs – Budget 2024 announced the Government of Canada's intention to propose legislated procurement targets for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and innovative firms. Completing this survey will help shape the Government's approach to supporting SMEs and innovations through these proposed targets. Survey closes on July 26.

  1. Toronto Pitch Competition for CPG Food Startups – The Small Business Forum is holding a Pitch Competition for consumer-packaged goods (CPG) startups in Toronto. Selected finalists will pitch live onstage to an audience including buyers, distributors, and successful food entrepreneurs. Finalists could win $5,000 in microgrants and training, a booth at the 80th Restaurants Canada Show 2025, and more. Deadline to apply is July 28.

  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.

  1. Scholarships from the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) – CFIG is offering five scholarships totaling $28,000 to Canadian high school and university students attending school in Canada. Applicants must be working for a current CFIG member (retail, associate, affiliate) or be a family member of an employee of a current CFIG member. Deadline to apply is July 14.

STILL ACTIVE

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 We'll continue to include them here until they are no longer active.

  1. THRIVE Academy Agrifood Pre-Accelerator Program – Applications are now open for the THRIVE Academy from SVG Ventures. This 12-week pre-accelerator program for agrifood tech startups helps founders and innovators validate products and ideas, develop go-to-market strategies, prepare to raise capital, and connect with investors and fellow entrepreneurs. Deadline to apply is July 15.

  1. Machine Learning in Cellular Agriculture Residency – New Harvest and the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) are seeking applications from innovative scientists with a background in machine learning and cellular agriculture for a one-year residency opportunity. Deadline to apply is July 15.

  1. Nominations for The Apples Opens – Created by New Food, The Apples aim to recognize excellence, innovation, and responsible development in the food and beverage industry. Awards are presented at Food Integrity Global 2024 in Amsterdam this September. Nominate yourself or another F&B company or individual doing outstanding work. Nomination deadline is July 19.

  1. Protein Industries Canada Recruiting for Board Positions – Protein Industries Canada is an industry-led not-for-profit working to establish Canada as a global leader in plant-based food, feed, and ingredients. They are looking to fill four vacant board positions at their Annual General Meeting this September. Nomination deadline is July 31.

  1. FoodTech 500 Applications Open – Inspired by the Fortune 500, the FoodTech 500 highlights the most groundbreaking global businesses at the intersection of food, technology, and sustainability. The FoodTech 500 for 2024 is now open for applications. Early bird applications for startups run until July 31.

  1. FBA Award Nominations Open – The Food and Beverage Atlantic (FBA) conference is returning to Charlottetown on October 22-23, 2024, and nominations for the prestigious FBA Awards are now open. The Awards honour the leaders shaping the future of Atlantic Canada's food industry, with categories for top innovator, rising star, storyteller, and more. Self-nominations are welcome from FBA members. Nomination deadline is August 9.

  1. UNIDO Foodtech Innovation Event – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is accepting submissions to present at their Global Call 2024 Event in Seoul, Korea, this November. This year's theme is foodtech innovation-they are looking to feature companies working on innovative technologies addressing critical issues in the global food system, including hunger and unequal distribution. Deadline to apply is August 15.

  1. NGEN's Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge – The Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge is seeking projects that will support Canada's path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and target challenges like emissions reduction. These Projects will aim to accelerate the application of Canadian cleantech and other advanced technologies to improve the environmental sustainability of Canadian manufacturing. Applications are ongoing.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.