Three Calgary companies are among nine Canadian foodtech projects receiving nearly $770,000 through the Canadian Food Innovation Network's Innovation Booster Program. The funding, matched by industry partners for a total investment of $1.56 million, will support projects ranging from AI-powered market intelligence to bio-based ingredient production and carbon capture systems for craft breweries.
Calgary's Revo Biochem is getting $99,617 to develop a fermentation platform that produces abscisic acid, a naturally occurring compound used in functional foods and agriculture. The company aims to create a sustainable Canadian supply that replaces plant extraction and petrochemical production methods. "This project demonstrates Revo's robust biosynthetic platform and a clear pathway to scale, enabling the production of high-quality biocompounds right here in Canada," said Vikram Dhaliwal, the company's COO and co-founder.
CO2Brew landed $90,000 to build its first commercial carbon-recovery system for craft breweries. The system captures high-purity CO₂ from fermentation, purifies it, stores it as liquid, and recycles it for reuse—cutting a brewery's greenhouse gas emissions while providing a self-sufficient supply of beverage-grade CO₂. COO Karen Ngo says the company is working to create a circular economy for craft breweries by transforming emissions into a valuable resource.
U Technology Corporation received $95,000 to validate BrightHarvest, an optical-sensing system that extends fresh produce shelf life by up to 40 per cent. The company is partnering with Sobeys to conduct combined in-store and laboratory testing on both misted and packaged produce. CEO Kam Hammad says the funding will help demonstrate how the advanced lighting technology can tackle one of Canada's biggest food challenges.
Edmonton's Localize Your Food received $53,055 to build a CFIA-compliant verification system that authenticates origin and production claims in grocery stores. The project will expand the company's national database and develop AI modules to automate auditing, helping reduce fraud risk and strengthen consumer trust in Buy Local programs.
The other funded projects include companies from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Quebec working on everything from AI-driven restaurant platforms to natural vanilla extraction and automated seafood inspection. CFIN received 75 applications from across the country for this funding round.
The Innovation Booster Program has funded 78 Canadian foodtech companies with over $6.3 million since 2021. Nationally, CFIN has awarded more than $21.5 million to 104 projects, generating $90 million in economic impact and creating over 355 jobs. Funded companies have attracted more than $82 million in follow-on investment.