In partnership with FedNor, Bioenterprise Canada is pleased to announce a $15,000 agri-food innovation challenge where eligible Northern Ontario businesses are invited to attend a virtual pitch competition focused on innovative solutions, processes or methods used to improve food security in Northern communities.

Northern Agri FoodFINAL 2

What is the Northern Food Security Challenge?

The Northern Food Security Challenge is an agri-food innovation challenge where eligible Northern Ontario businesses are invited to submit an application focused on their innovative solutions, processes or methods used to improve food security in Northern communities. The 6 highest scoring applications will be selected to participate in a virtual pitch competition hosted in partnership with the Ingenuity, Lakehead University’s business incubator space.

A cash prize of $10,000 will be awarded to the winner and a $5,000 cash prize will be provided to the runner up.  Applications to the challenge will be judged on the problem or opportunity they are addressing, their solution’s ability to address the problem/opportunity, team experience and readiness to grow the business and the overall impact to agri-food security in the North.

Eligible applicants are headquartered in Northern Ontario, are a sole proprietorship or corporation, for-profit Canadian company with a minimum Technology Readiness Level of 4+ who operate in the agriculture or food & beverage sectors. This competition is designed for early-stage companies who are pre-revenue or have trailing 12 month revenues of less than $250,000 and have 5 or fewer FTE employees.

Contact

We’re looking for innovative sustainability solutions for the agriculture and food & beverage sectors in Canada! 

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Questions?
Please Contact: emily.nanne@bioenterprise.ca  

Eligibility:

Applicant must be:

  • Operating in the agriculture or food & beverage sectors;
  • A sole proprietorship or corporation, for-profit private company headquartered in Northern Ontario, Canada;
  • Pre-revenue or generating a maximum of $250,000 in revenues;
  • Having 5 or fewer full time equivalent employees;
  • Achieve a minimum 4+ Technology Readiness Level (Component and/or validation in a laboratory environment – basic technological components are integrated to establish they will work together)
 

Timeline

Application Process

How do I apply?

Applications will be accepted beginning May 25, 2023, in one-phase process consisting of an online application form.

The deadline to submit applications will be June 18th at 11:59PM. 

Applications will be scored against a standardized scoring rubric and the finalists will be notified by June 21st, 2023 at the latest.

Application Toolkit

Click the button below to get started! 

About Bioenterprise Canada

Bioenterprise is Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, a national agri-technology focused commercialization accelerator. Bioenterprise uses its 20 years of industry experience and a global network of experts, mentors, funders, researchers, and industry partners to help small and medium-sized agri-food businesses connect, innovate and grow.

About Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)

Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) is the Government of Canada’s economic development organization for Northern Ontario. Through its programs and services, and through its financial support of projects that lead to job creation and economic growth, FedNor works with businesses and community partners to build a stronger Northern Ontario.