Leading Companies. Powered by Women.
Over 100 Canadian companies to watch. All creating natural and bio-based products that are better for people and the planet. All founded or led by women.

Meet Canada's Game Changers

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  • Remix Snacks

    Head Office: Ontario

    Sector: Food & Beverage

    Remix Snacks are on a mission to create simple, healthy snacks that are good for people and the planet. All Remix Snacks are bean-based, and use upcycled ingredients to reduce food waste. Beans require 30-50% less water to grow compared to nuts and corn, and they add more protein, fibre, and iron nutrients that are often lacking in snack products. Since launching in 2018, Remix has met several major milestones including closing a deal on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, launching into the Ontario local programs in Metro, Sobeys, and Loblaws, and growing their e-commerce sales by over 300% in 2020. In 2023 Remix will launch a new savoury product line in over 100 Loblaws, and continue their expansion into retail across Canada.

    Isabelle Lam

    Jamie Lee

    Co-Founders

  • Ribozome

    Head Office: Québec

    Sector: Agri/Food Tech & Ingredients

    Ribozome produces high quality and sustainable insect-based proteins using locally available organic matter. Compared to traditional protein sources, insect agriculture requires less space, time, water and feed per kilo of protein produced, while generating fewer greenhouse gasses. Still in its early stages, the company has big plans for growth in the coming years, including a fully automated facility that uses artificial intelligence to improve processes and machine learning. With these intentions for growth, Ribozome will then be the first large-scale mealworm producer in Canada with a production capacity in hundreds of tons.

    Jennifer Larouche

    Chief Scientific Officer

  • RUTH

    Head Office: Alberta

    Sector: Household, Beauty & Personal Care

    Ruth is on a mission to make periods equitable and sustainable by providing disposable, plant-based menstrual pads. Backed by chemistry and driven by a passion to reduce harmful waste caused by the feminine hygiene industry, the innovative bio-materials in their products have been intentionally chosen for comfort, absorbency, and sustainability. The 93% bio-based materials include bamboo fibre, wood pulp, and a corn-based waterproof backing layer as well as kenaf fibre, which has a carbon footprint 5.3X less than cotton and uses nearly 3X less water to produce. The startup sells direct to consumers online and is working with schools and other partners to bring their product to a wider audience. Ruth is also conducting R&D on product refinement and extensions.

    Nicole Sanchez

    Co-Founder

  • Save Da Sea

    Head Office: British Columbia

    Sector: Food & Beverage

    Save Da Sea is a first in market, plant-based seafood company creating products that have the same nutrients and flavour without the toxins, microplastics and harm to the planet. Their sought after products are minimally processed and made from wholesome ingredients. Their flagship ‘smoked salmon’ is made from carrots, and their mouthwatering ‘tuna salad’ is made from jackfruit, and contains Omega-3s from flax oil as well as protein from chickpea and pea protein. All Save Da Sea products are soy- and gluten-free, and come in a ready-to-eat format. They are available in over 500 stores across Canada including Whole Foods, Choices, Healthy Planet and Sobeys.

    Aki kaltenbach

    Founder & CEO

  • Secret Foods

    Head Office: Alberta

    Sector: Food & Beverage

    Secret Foods produces premium, pure, plant-based sauces to fill a gap on store shelves. Staying true to their deep heritage, Secret Foods bring the delights of Lebanese home cooking to people everywhere, but with a unique twist. Using high quality, clean-label, and plant-based ingredients, Secret Foods’ creamy salad dressings and condiments are not heavy in oils, and don’t contain any dairy or eggs. Their products are tahini and lemon juice based, with no gluten, sugar, GMOs, and artificial preservatives. Since launching operations in 2021, Secret Foods is now listed in over 400 stores across Western Canada, and with a recent partnership with a national distributor, will soon be in many more across the country.

    Anna Jane Daklala

    Owner

  • Seed to Surf

    Head Office: Ontario

    Sector: Food & Beverage

    Seed to Surf offers a fresh reinterpretation of seafood that highlights the limitless potential of plants. They are disrupting the seafood industry by creating a flavourful seafood product made from whole vegetables that mimics the experience of tinned fish. They currently have two vegan product offerings: Snow Crab, made from enoki mushrooms, and Smoked Whitefish, made from celeriac root. Their technology and products use less carbon, water and energy, and with a 1-3 year shelf life, their sustainable alternatives reduce food waste. The young company just launched in late 2022 after completing its first production run, and has quickly onboarded over 80 brick and mortar and online retailers across Canada and the United States.

    Alex Bergquist

    Co-Founder

  • Silver Swallow

    Head Office: Ontario

    Sector: Food & Beverage

    Silver Swallow is the award-winning company behind leading wine alternatives crafted from the world’s best teas and kombucha. Champions of the low/no alcohol trend that is sweeping across diverse demographics, Silver Swallow is helping people cut back on booze, feel good and have fun. Their high-end and better-for-you recipes are sommelier approved, tea-forward, and sulphite and preservative free. Their recently launched Rosé was named Toronto Star’s best non-alcoholic bubbly, and has been listed in Whole Foods Market stores across Ontario. The company has their sights set on growth, with plans for expansion across Canada and distribution channels in the US.

    Genna Woolston

    CEO and Co-Founder

  • Simply Go Natural Cosmetics Inc.

    Head Office: Nova Scotia

    Sector: Household, Beauty & Personal Care

    Simply Go Natural Cosmetics is an organic hair and skin care manufacturer that makes natural plant-based, cruelty-free products. Their lineup includes special solutions for normal to severe dry skin, and even problem conditions like eczema and psoriasis. The haircare line is designed for curly, coily, wavy and textured hair, and can even help conditions like alopecia. Using organic oils and butters that are biodegradable and plant based, most of their ingredients are actually safe enough to eat, yet still highly effective. The startup has recently made the jump from farmers markets to retail distribution in Atlantic Canada, including 24 Sobeys locations, and also sells online through their digital storefront and Amazon.

    Joyce Adom

    Founder & Director

  • Sootsoap Supply Co. Ltd.

    Head Office: Ontario

    Sector: Household, Beauty & Personal Care

    SOOTSOAP is an all natural, industrial-strength line of personal care products lab-developed for firefighter decontamination. Cancer is the leading cause of death for firefighters due to exposure to carcinogens present in smoke. Harnessing the power of Binchotan White Charcoal and other natural powerhouse ingredients, SOOTSOAP draws out harmful chemicals, pollutants, impurities and even the toughest odours to provide the deepest, most natural clean for skin and hair. Their products are human tested, firefighter approved, and safe for all skin types. Through partnerships and their distribution channels, SOOTSOAP has seen tremendous support from Canada’s firefighting community, and they look forward to expanding to serve the firefighter community internationally in the US and Europe.

    K. Dee Howard

    Co-Founder & President

  • Spa Dent Inc

    Head Office: Ontario

    Sector: Household, Beauty & Personal Care

    For more than a decade Spa Dent Naturals has been a leading innovator in oral health and beauty. Building on expertise with teeth whitening formulations, equipment, and application methodologies for the dental industry, they saw a gap in the home use market. Using only natural and organic ingredients, they have produced a family of teeth whitening and oral care products that offer uniquely formulated and effective dental care for kids, pets and adults alike. After years of only being available through dental professionals, their products are now available directly to consumers through leading North American retailers including Costco, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Amazon.

    Marcia Hilliard-Baird

    CEO

  • Stop Sugar Crave

    Head Office: British Columbia

    Sector: Supplement & Natural Health Product

    Stop Sugar Crave are on a mission to help people with their weight and nutrition challenges. They are the producers of natural dietary supplements that give people healthy, natural herbal based products that support good food choices, and achieve optimum health. Their unique spray helps people stick to their healthy intentions in a natural way. All of their ingredients are locally manufactured, minimizing their carbon footprint. They use BPA free packing, and source their whey protein from high-quality, grass fed sources. Still in their early stages, Stop Sugar Crave has six SKUs in market, and are continuing to explore news products that serve their growing consumer base.

    Victoria Cottier

    Chief Health Officer

  • Sum Good Foods Inc

    Head Office: New Brunswick

    Sector: Supplement & Natural Health Product

    Sum Good is meeting the need for healthy effective hydration options for families and caregivers. Their electrolyte freezie is first in its category, providing delicious hydration from only freshly pressed-fruit combined with electrolytes. No added dyes, flavouring, or sugar substitutes. They support local by using only fruit grown by Canadian farmers that is pressed just in time, based on volume needs. Currently available in over 70 retailers across Atlantic Canada, Sum Good plans to expand its presence nationally, including into the health care system.

    April Glavine

    Co-Founder & CEO

  • Sunnydale Foods

    Head Office: Saskatchewan

    Sector: Agri/Food Tech & Ingredients

    Sunnydale Foods manufactures proteins, starches, flours, and fibers from pea and fava bean. They are actively developing new techniques for the manufacture of food ingredients using less water and chemicals, thus reducing their environmental footprint. The early-stage company is well on its way, increasing sales by over 500% in 2021, and by over 55% in 2022. Sunnydale successfully launched three new ingredients in 2022, and are currently in development of several new products for food specific application in 2023.

    Heidi Dutton

    CEO

  • SweetSpot Labs

    Head Office: New Brunswick

    Sector: Household, Beauty & Personal Care

    Sweet Spot Labs are on a mission to elevate skin care for women’s intimate areas or ‘sweet spots’. They challenge the shame-based conventions of traditional feminine hygiene by creating a line of vulva-centric health products that are safe and effective for all ages and life stages. Their products only use clean, non-irritating ingredients and are safety tested by gynecologists. Their vegan, cruelty-free formulas are made with consciously-sourced ingredients, and their packaging uses reclaimed, recycled and biodegradable material whenever possible. They have successfully launched the brand in over 800 Ulta Beauty stores in the US, 1,200 Shoppers Drug Marts in Canada, and can be found online through Amazon, where they doubled sales in the last 12 months.

    Julie Chamberlain

    CEO

  • Synergia Biotech Inc.

    Head Office: Alberta

    Sector: Bioproducts

    Synergia Biotech’s net-zero technology converts CO2 into an all-natural, vibrant blue pigment that is safe in food and other applications. This helps mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and recycle water, while addressing the demand for clean-label food and beverage, cosmetic, and nutraceutical products. Synergia’s climate positive innovation is backed by years of cutting-edge research in ecology, microbiology and engineering, and represents a new, diversified revenue stream in Canada’s agriculture sector. While Synergia’s sales are forecasted to start in 2024 the focus this year is to continue to build the customer base, and develop partnerships with industry to support funding and scaling of operations.

    Angela Kouris

    PhD, RPBioCEO, Founder

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About the Report

The Game Changers report is an initiative of Natural Products Canada (NPC), a national organization committed to identifying and supporting high potential early stage bio-based innovation that is better for people, animals and the planet. Recognizing a high number of female-led/founded companies within its network, the Game Changers report is designed to highlight the incredible contribution of these companies. NPC’s Game Changers reports have become a valuable resource for investors, funders, corporations and retailers looking for their next opportunities, suppliers and partners. This special #IWD2023 edition showcases some of the best Canadian companies that also happen to have women in crucial roles of leadership, origination or ownership. As such this Game Changers report is an essential tool for those seeking to support exceptional and equitable Canadian companies.

Our Methodology

Using a Canadian recruitment campaign, NPC invited applications from female led or female founded companies working in natural products or bio-based industries. Applicants were asked questions to assess three main areas: innovation, sustainability and growth. Applicants provided data around current sales, recent progress, sustainability efforts and audits, and sales forecasts. Given the highly innovative nature of the field, there was extensive variability in stage of the applicants (ie companies still in the R&D phase with no sales, all the way to companies with significant market traction and multi-milllion dollars in sales). To accommodate this variability, applications were evaluated based on the level of progress and potential appropriate for the stage of their company.