Agriculture is the world’s largest industry, employing billions of people around the world. It is also one of the industries most dependent on the natural environment, with crops and livestock heavily dependent on weather, soil health, water supply and pollination. While agriculture and sustainability are often seen as conflicting priorities, Canada’s new Agricultural Clean Technology Program Research and Innovation Stream – Accelerator (ACT Accelerator) aims to bridge the gap between the two sectors.
Announced earlier this month, the program will provide up to $30 million in funding over the next two years to support Canadian start-ups and agri-food organizations in developing clean technologies.
Six non-profits will receive funding. They will then each launch their own application intake periods and redistribute funding to eligible projects. Two Guelph organizations were included in the program: Bioenterprise Canada Corporation and Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN).
The CFIN is a federally funded organization that supports new technologies across Canada’s food and beverage sector. They also connect food professionals, researchers, and tech developers.
“We’ve funded more than 120 food-tech projects at over $23 million. We’ve also built the largest and fastest-growing food business community in the country, with over 8,600 members from all parts of the food value chain. Our goal is to connect the food ecosystem – from startups to large-scale manufacturers – with the funding, business connections, and data they need to modernize and compete globally,” said CFIN chief executive Dana McCauley.
The new funding will support the launch of their True North Sustainable Food Fund, which aims to bridge the gap between companies with a “good idea” and a “market-ready solution.”
“This really is about piloting these technologies in industry. This program provides targeted funding for industrial demonstration projects that help validate emerging technologies in real-world operational environments. Real-world pilots help take ideas and concepts and truth test them in real-world conditions with real Food and Beverage companies.”
McCauley added that the True North Sustainable Food Fund targets “post-farmgate” innovations, meaning innovations for agricultural products after they leave the farm
“This program specifically focuses on food manufacturing and distribution. While agriculture is vital, the True North Sustainable Food Fund is dedicated to the innovations that happen after the food leaves the farm – ensuring that the processing and movement of our food are as green as possible,” said McCauley.
“This includes technologies that lower greenhouse gas emissions through energy-efficient processing, reduce food waste through upcycling, and optimize water usage. By helping companies adopt these clean technologies, we are making the Canadian food supply chain more resilient and environmentally responsible.”
Interested companies can apply for funding through the True North Sustainable Food Fund via two streams: Spark and Impact.
The Spark stream is “designed for rapid, smaller-scope pilot projects requiring up to $100,000 in funding, with a streamlined, single-stage application process,” explained McCauley.
Whereas the impact stream is designed for larger-scale industrial demonstration projects requiring between $250,000 and $1,000,000 in funding, using a two-stage application process.
To apply for funding, interested companies can visit CFIN’s website. Applications will open in the next couple of weeks, and interested participants will receive registration information once they sign up to become members.
“We have historically engaged with innovators in this SW Ontario corridor who are working on everything from sustainable packaging to advanced food processing software. We encourage local food processors and tech companies in Woolwich and the surrounding areas to explore how our funding can help scale their F&B [food and beverage] solutions.”
