Guelph, Ontario – January 21, 2026 — Bioenterprise Canada is excited to announce the launch of Round 3 of the Sustainable Growth and Adoption Program (SGAP). This program is helping support food and agri-food tech businesses in southern Ontario by providing access to the resources needed to develop and scale innovative technologies, practices, and process enhancements into their operations. SGAP is funded by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
SGAP is a green initiative that aims to promote sustainability across agriculture value chains and foster clean economic growth through achieving the following objectives:
- De-risk the adoption of clean technologies and the integration of sustainable practices and process enhancements;
- Accelerate sustainable business growth, expansion and modernization; and,
- Create and maintain jobs.
SGAP offers non-repayable, matching contributions up to $100,000 to later-stage food and agri-food tech businesses ready to expand, modernize and enhance sustainability. Eligible applicants must collaborate with an eligible Sustainability Project Partner to meet their growth and adoption needs through one or both of the following:
- The integration of proven clean technologies into operations; and/or
The implementation of sustainability enhancement activities
To qualify for the program, food and agri-food technology businesses must be generating a minimum of $200,000 in annual revenues and meet thresholds on project impact, potential environmental benefits, and economic outcomes for the sectors. Eligible organizations must be located in southern Ontario, ensure all project activities take place in southern Ontario, and collaborate with an eligible Sustainability Project Partner. Funding can be used for advisory services, operational assessments, equipment acquisition, employee labour, and other costs directly related to the project. A full list of program objectives and eligibility criteria can be found in the SGAP program guide available on the Bioenterprise Canada website.
“Ontario’s agri-food sector has been experiencing significant anxiety and concern over the past year, brought about by the uncertainty in our political and economic environment. With an uncertain future, the link between innovation adoption and increased global competitiveness has never been more important. The timing of this round of the Sustainable Growth and Adoption Program is impeccable as companies can better prepare for the tariff world by increasing their competitive position through the adoption of new technologies,” says Dave Smardon, CEO of Bioenterprise Canada.
SGAP is a three-year initiative (2024-2027) supported by an investment of $5.95 million from the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario. Through this program, Bioenterprise supports clean economic growth, business development, and technology adoption in the food and agri-food tech sectors. Rounds 1 and 2 of SGAP supported thirty-five food and agri-food businesses in southern Ontario with nearly $3.1 million in matching contributions.
Application intake for Round 3 of SGAP opens on January 28, 2026, and closes on March 18 at 11:59 pm ET. Details about the program, including how to apply and a full program guide, will be available on Bioenterprise.ca. For project-specific questions, please email submissions@bioenterprise.ca.
Each participant of SGAP will receive customized business support, full access to Bioenterprise Canada’s extensive network of services and mentors, and targeted support for underrepresented groups, including youth, women, and Indigenous peoples. Recipients will also be awarded a one-year complimentary membership to Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, Bioenterprise Canada’s membership program, which provides members with commercialization support services and access to the Bioenterprise global network.
About Bioenterprise Canada
Bioenterprise is Canada’s Food and Agri-Tech Engine, bringing more than 20 years of industry experience and a national and international network of academia, experts, government, industry players, mentors, and research institutions to help small- and medium-sized businesses in the sector to connect, innovate, and grow. Through its experienced service partner network, Bioenterprise offers a wide range of expertise and support to its clients. In partnership with other industries, Bioenterprise opens doors to new technologies and platforms to help food and agri-tech businesses innovate and grow.
About FedDev Ontario
Since 2009, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impact the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts.
Media Contacts
Liza Baetz
Program Manager
Bioenterprise Canada
Sofia Ouslis
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario