Foodtech Next 2026: What a Day!

Thank you to the 280+ attendees who joined us at Foodtech Next 2026 last week. It was energizing to see funders, founders, policymakers, and industry leaders come together at the Rogers Centre to celebrate Canadian food innovation and chart the path toward Food 4.0.

The event came at a pivotal time for Canada's food sector. The last few weeks have seen more capital and policy attention flowing toward Canadian agri-food than we've seen in years. Momentum is building, but the challenges we face remain immense—Foodtech Next laid out the roadmap we need to navigate those challenges.

Here’s a quick recap of the highlights.

Candid Conversations on Canada's Food Future

Foodtech Next kicked off with a fireside chat between Dana McCauley (CEO, CFIN) and Laurent Carbonneau (Vice President of Policy & Advocacy, Council of Canadian Innovators). Laurent made the case that Canada has every ingredient needed to lead globally in food innovation, but that we're leaving value on the table by failing to build brand awareness and adoption at home. Canadian innovators too often find their first customers abroad. The opportunity—and the imperative—is to change that.

Later, a panel discussion with Matt MacDonald (National Leader, F&B Processing, MNP), Alex Barlow (VP of Programs, CFIN), Kristina Farrell (CEO, Food and Beverage Canada), and Kim Furlong (CEO, Retail Council of Canada), brought in innovation perspectives from across the value chain. The discussion explored some key sector challenges, like how food remains chronically underrepresented in how Canada defines and invests in innovation. But it closed on a rallying note—the attention is here, the momentum is real, and now is the time for everyone in Canadian food to get loud and work together.

This Is What Food 4.0 Looks Like

Anchoring the day were our five Foodtech Next project showcases that demonstrated exactly the kind of Canadian-made innovation the sector needs right now:

• FoodPM, by UDP Software – AI-powered platform to digitize and optimize food processing operations

• Knead Technologies – Platform rescuing surplus food to improve food security and reduce waste

• uDesign Solutions – Next-generation automation for food and beverage packaging with flexible, scalable robotic systems

• Gastronomous Technologies – Autonomous beverage production for high-volume foodservice environments

• Freshr Technologies – Sustainable, compostable packaging that extends shelf life and reduces food waste

These projects are boosting productivity through automation, enhancing traceability and food safety, improving sustainability, and modernizing processing—each exemplifying the potential of Food 4.0 in action.

Beyond the Stage

Innovation Alley reinforced the breadth of innovation coming from Canada’s foodtech ecosystem, featuring nine sector spanning solutions—from Real Life Robotics’ autonomous delivery robots to Opalia’s animal-free, cell-based dairy products.

Between the "Meet the Innovators" lunch and the closing reception, we hope you left with new collaborators, potential partners, and a renewed sense of possibility for Canada's food sector.

It Takes a Community

Foodtech Next 2026 was made possible by our presenting sponsor MNP, and the generous support of FCC, MLT Aikins, Redstick Ventures, Verdex Capital, Easly, Mergen AI, and RBCx.

We're grateful to everyone who made this event a success—attendees, sponsors, speakers, and the featured companies building the future of Canadian food.