Waterloo-based startup Enhanced Medical Nutrition (EMN) was founded on a simple but surprisingly overlooked premise: that high-quality, targeted nutrition before and after surgery can directly improve recovery, reduce complications, and shorten hospital stays. The company is working to position nutrition as an essential consideration for surgery patients through their evidence-backed clinical formulations and a digital platform that helps care teams see, measure, and act on nutritional support.
Building on Clinical Nutrition Science
EMN develops oral nutrition supplements designed for patients at risk of malnutrition around the time of surgery. These are not your average nutritional shake. Rather, they are specially formulated blends rich in protein, omega-3s, and immune-supporting nutrients that align with clinical recovery guidelines. Hospitals and care providers use them to strengthen patients heading into surgery and to sustain healing afterward, when appetite and intake often falter.
Adding Visibility through Digital Tools
What sets EMN further apart is its focus on making nutrition measurable. With funding support from CFIN’s Innovation Booster programe, the company has been advancing a connected platform that combines patient-facing tracking with provider dashboards. Intake, adherence, and outcomes can be monitored in real time—helping clinicians catch gaps early, adjust plans, and prove the link between better nutrition and better recovery.
EMN is scaling its partnerships with hospitals and surgical teams to validate its products and platform across a wider patient population. By advancing both product innovation and clinical integration, the company is leading the way in demonstrating how food and technology can be used synergistically to optimize recovery and long-term health.