10:30 am
TYC Room
Presented by CFIN (Canadian Food Innovation Network)
The Foodtech in Canada: 2025 Ecosystem Report is a comprehensive exploration of Canada’s rapidly growing foodtech sector. This session will delve into the report’s key takeaways, highlighting significant achievements, ongoing challenges, and groundbreaking innovations that are reshaping how food is produced, shared, and enjoyed. From plant-based proteins to upcycled ingredients, attendees will gain insights into how Canada is addressing global challenges and advancing its position as a foodtech trailblazer. Emerging Canadian CEOs who are leveraging foodtech to gain a competitive advantage will join CFIN CEO Dana McCauley to discuss how the report’s insights are impacting real Prairie businesses.
Panelists:
Shawn Leggett: Shawn is the President and founder of GroundUp eco-ventures, an agri-food startup that utilizes leading edge cleantech to eliminate waste streams from the coffee and craft brewery industries. GroundUp is the only company in North America that currently upcycles spent coffee grounds into both an essential oil and a functional flour and is also a leader in the upcycling of spent grain in Canada. Shawn holds a diploma in Petroleum Engineering Technology from SAIT and an MBA from Royal Roads University.
CanDry Technologies, based in Coquitlam, BC, is an innovative leader in low-temperature dehydration solutions. Their proprietary technology is designed to preserve the nutritional value, natural flavors, and visual appeal of heat-sensitive products while significantly improving energy efficiency and sustainability. Specializing in the food, agricultural, and pet food sectors, CanDry empowers businesses to create high-quality, shelf-stable products with minimal environmental impact. With a commitment to advancing food processing innovation, CanDry continues to drive sustainable solutions for global challenges.
Dr. Hamid Rezaei is co-founder and R&D Director at CanDry Technologies and a seasoned expert in dehydration and food processing technologies. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biosystems Engineering and has over 15 years of experience in advanced hybrid dehydration systems. Dr. Rezaei is passionate about sustainability and advancing science-driven solutions to processing natural resources to create value in agriculture and food industries.
Dana McCauley, CEO, CFIN was the founding Executive Director for Food Starter, a Toronto based food business incubator and accelerator that was recognized with an Ontario Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence. As Director of New Venture Creation at the University of Guelph, Dana enabled agri-food innovators to transform their inventions into innovations that grow the economy and enhances Canada’s international reputation. She is a value proposition driven innovator who has successfully launched many food products and programs in collaboration with domestic and international food companies and entrepreneurs.