Government of Canada fuels growth for Black and equity-deserving entrepreneurs
News release
FedDev Ontario invests $2 million in Foodpreneur Lab to support entrepreneurs in the food and beverage sector across southern Ontario to overcome barriers and grow their businesses
February 27, 2026 – Mississauga, Ontario
Black and equity-deserving entrepreneurs make invaluable contributions to communities across southern Ontario, and their success is essential to Canada’s long‑term economic resilience. Yet many continue to face barriers when starting or growing their businesses. As the Government of Canada takes action to address rising food costs and strengthen national food security, it remains equally committed to ensuring all Canadians have the opportunities, tools, and resources they need to build successful, sustainable businesses.
In celebration of Black History Month, the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced a federal investment of $2 million for Foodpreneur Lab to expand its current programming that prioritizes Black and equity-deserving entrepreneurs to overcome barriers in the food and beverage sector.
Through this investment, up to 75 food entrepreneurs will gain personalized, hands-on product development support and access to industry expertise, empowering them to scale their Canadian companies and drive innovation, growth, and diversification within southern Ontario’s food and beverage sector.
Today’s investment in Foodpreneur Lab aligns with the Government of Canada’s broader efforts to strengthen food security and affordability as it empowers entrepreneurs to bring new, diverse products to market—strengthening both economic inclusion and the resilience of Canada’s economy.
Quotes
“This investment will help Black and equity-deserving entrepreneurs in the food and beverage sector as they overcome barriers and scale their businesses. By supporting organizations like Foodpreneur Lab, we’re building a more inclusive economy where all entrepreneurs have the opportunity to thrive and contribute to building a resilient Canadian economy.”
– The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Foodpreneur Lab is making a real difference in our communities by helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful businesses. This funding will ensure more people have access to the tools, training, and support they need to grow and succeed.”
– The Honourable Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Don Valley West
"We appreciate FedDev Ontario’s generous support in funding the Step Up Scale Up program. Our work empowers businesses to accelerate growth, innovate, and create jobs. This investment is making a meaningful impact in strengthening our entrepreneurial food ecosystem and driving regional economic prosperity.”
– Janice Bartley, Founder and Executive Director, Foodpreneur Lab
Quick facts
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Founded in 2019, Toronto-based Foodpreneur Lab is a nonprofit leading innovative, customized approaches that help founders overcome systemic barriers and build scalable food businesses that strengthen Canada’s food sector, with a clear focus on prioritizing equity-deserving food entrepreneurs.
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This investment builds upon a previous investment of nearly $3 million for Foodpreneur Lab through the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Ecosystem Fund to expand programming for early-stage and growth-stage food entrepreneurs.
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The government will create a $150 million Food Security Fund under the existing Regional Tariff Response Initiative for small and medium enterprises and the organisations that support them.
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Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $735 million in over 980 projects related to businesses led by entrepreneurs from the underrepresented groups in southern Ontario.
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Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $193M in 76 projects in the Agri-Food sector, creating over 3,300 jobs and maintaining over 4,500 jobs.
Associated links
Contacts
Sofia Ouslis
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Innovation and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
sofia.ouslis@ised-isde.gc.ca
FedDev Ontario
Media Relations
media@feddevontario.gc.ca
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