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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.