Food Entrepreneurs

Here on Canada’s Food Island, we are committed to providing aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses with access to all the resources they need to startup, scale up, and take their products to export markets. We are proud to offer one of the best ecosystems available in North America. Our food business ecosystem reflects the many partners across PEI that offer support at each stage of the business cycle. From skills training to incubator programs, funding, technical expertise, processing space and much more, food entrepreneurs will find everything they need to build a thriving business on Canada’s Food Island.

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Food Island Partnership is an industry-led organization tasked with growing the food industry through food company and food cluster development on Prince Edward Island. Our vision is to establish Prince Edward Island, Canada’s Food Island, as an internationally recognized place of origin for premium food products and a destination for culinary excellence.

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The Startup Zone accelerates new startups or existing businesses by connecting them with the space, resources, and supports they need to grow. Want to learn more?

CSK’s SMART Process for food innovation supports startups and multinationals alike. Our team combines expertise in food science, culinary arts, and market insight to provide creative solutions to your food business challenges.

If you can imagine it, we can help make it become reality. At BioFoodTech, we help you turn your innovative concepts into tangible results.

The BMI is specially designed and will be built to meet the strict regulatory standards required for the production of health and nutrition products. This includes food and feed ingredients, probiotics, aquatic health products, veterinary products, and natural health products. Want to learn more?

Emergence is a virtual incubator that supports the formation and growth of innovative bioscience and food sector ventures. Want to learn more?

The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) is a first-of-its-kind partnership between academia, industry, and government to address the future skills needs of the Canadian life sciences sector.

Food Island Partnership is an industry-led organization tasked with growing the food industry through food company and food cluster development on Prince Edward Island.

The Department of Fisheries and Communities collaborates with the PEI seafood industry.

SkillsPEI offers support and programming to job seekers, older workers, employers and organizations from locations across Prince Edward Island.

The Department of Agriculture and Land works to advance Prince Edward Island’s primary industries and its approach to food development, production and sales.

Our goal is to build a vibrant, diverse and growing Prince Edward Island economy by providing funding and expertise to enable strategic sectors, accelerate entrepreneurship, and foster innovation.

The bank for Canadian entrepreneurs

Finance PEI is a crown corporation of the Department of Economic Growth, Tourism & Culture and is the lead financing group for the Province of Prince Edward Island (PEI).

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) works to create opportunities for economic growth in the region by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, by working with diverse communities to develop and diversify local economies, and by championing the strengths of Atlantic Canada.

Partner with the only lender 100% invested in Canadian agriculture and food.

The Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) will accelerate innovation by stimulating connections, collaborations and investments across Canada’s food ecosystem.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada supports the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector through initiatives that promote innovation and competitiveness.

UPEI offers a wide range of programs and degrees to more than 4,600 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students from around the world.

Holland College offers many things that a prospective student is looking for: small class sizes, a blend of hands-on and theoretical training, pathways to higher learning, a beautiful setting in Canada’s smallest province, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Working with clients and partners, we provide innovation support, strategic research, scientific and technical services. NRC has just what industry needs: infrastructure, personnel, equipment, experience and networking capabilities.

Start: Food Xcel

Food Xcel has been developed to help aspiring food entrepreneurs move their idea forward through a combination of progressive workshops, networking opportunities with food agencies, industry experts, and entrepreneurs and a chance to compete for a $25,000 award from Innovation PEI’s Ignition Fund. Our first Food Xcel Winner, Ryan Abdallah, was awarded for his Marouns garlic paste which he has since launched in Sobeys across Atlantic Canada and other retail locations. Learn More

Grow: Food Propel

Food Propel has a proven track record of helping food entrepreneurs address the key issues unlocking future growth potential. Food Propel companies achieved on average sales growth 10 times higher than typical Canadian food processors. Learn More

Processing Space: Food Works

Do you want to get your product to more people? Is the lack of production capacity holding you back? If so Food Works, may be just what you need. Learn More