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Agriculture

Launch in one of North America’s largest Agri-Food sectors

Leverage Brampton's rich agricultural traditions for your start-up

By 2025, Canada will be one of the top five competitors in the agri-food sector. Globally, we’re one of the most trusted, competitive and reliable suppliers of safe, sustainable, high-quality agri-food products, as well as an innovator in value-added products to feed the dynamic global consumer.

Brampton is part of Ontario’s Food Cluster, one of North America’s largest Agri-Food sectors. The province boasts the most poultry farms and the second most pig and dairy farms in the country. It also has the largest number of cannabis-growing operations nationally.

The city’s rich agricultural tradition is supported by a thriving food and beverage sector and industry-leading technology that is shaping the science and practice of farming on a global scale.

Quick Facts

Agriculture in Brampton
Brampton is part of Ontario’s Food Cluster, one of North America’s largest Agri-Food sectors.
Big Business
Brampton’s food & beverage manufacturing sector contributes $1.3 billion annually to the Canadian GDP.
Well Connected
Brampton is just 20 minutes from the Ontario Food Terminal.
A Skilled Workforce
8,500 people are employed in approximately 300 companies in food and beverage manufacturing, processing and support industries.

Access top agricultural talent

Brampton is within close proximity to major food research centres such as the University of Guelph Food Institute, Conestoga College and the George Brown College of Food Innovation and Research Studio (FIRSt). In total, there are more than 25 academic institutions in Ontario offering Agri-Food programs.

Top Food & Beverage companies call Brampton home

Major players in the Agri-Food industry have their head offices in Brampton, including Loblaw Companies, Maple Lodge Farms, Italpasta and Export Packers. Other established food brands also have branch offices in the city, including Olymel, Sofina Foods, Give & Go Prepared Foods and FGF Brands.

You're in Good Company
Brampton is home to 300 companies in food and beverage manufacturing, processing and support industries.
Skilled talent
Highly skilled workforce with 25 academic institutions in Ontario offering agri-food programs.
Business Opportunities
50% of Brampton’s workforce have post-secondary education.
Labs & research facilities
Top employers include Loblaw companies ltd., Maple Lodge Farms ltd., Coca-Cola Bottling Ltd., Give and Go Prepared Foods, Italpasta ltd. and more.
Canada's Fastest-Growing City
Highly skilled talent: access to 4.3 million labour pool across the greater Toronto area.
Canada's Fastest-Growing City
the fastest-growing city in Canada with 14,000 new residents per year.

Key Sectors

Brampton’s key sectors leverage our businesses and research institutions, workforce, expertise, transport links and location to support our economic development strategy and grow our local economy.
Advanced Manufacturing
Agriculture
Food and Beverage
Health & Biotechnology
Innovation and Technology
Logistics
Renewable Energy
Cyber Security

How we help

BHive’s AgriTech Cohort offers a number of key benefits for international start-ups, including:

Access to funding

Matching applicants with suitable investors and funding opportunities. .

Mentorship opportunities

Introductions to leaders in the AgriTech sector to provide mentorship, guidance and support.

Access to research facilities and lab space

Leveraging resources from one of the 21 post-secondary institutions located within an hour's drive of Brampton, including top-rated research universities in North America like McMaster University & University of Toronto.

Skilled talent

Access to a skilled local workforce of agricultural professionals as well as thousands of students enrolled at the 21 post-secondary institutions located near Brampton.

Dedicated Sector Manager

Access to a dedicated Sector Manager specializing in Agritech to provide industry-specific advice for the Canadian and North American markets.

Who should apply

Our AgriTech cohort is suited to coachable, energetic founders building proprietary technologies to improve farming, vegetation, crop analysis, pest control, organic farming, soil analysis and more.

This cohort is aimed toward early-stage companies (pre-seed, seed, or Series), whether they have raised little to no investment or even projects (pre-incorporation); however, start-ups at all levels of the company life cycle will be considered.

Companies with any or all the following are preferred:
  • Pilot customers.
  • Patent.
  • IP.
  • MVP.
Start-up focus areas may include:
  • Precision Farming.
  • Waste Management.
  • Crop Analysis.
  • Soil Analysis.
  • Dairy
  • Livestock.
  • Plant and Livestock health.
  • Pest Control.
  • Organic Farming.
Woman collecting peppers in a greenhouse

Ready to take the next step?

Are you a fast-growing foreign start-up looking to expand into North America? Get in touch with the BHive team to see how we can help accelerate your North American expansion.

    Launch your Agriculture start-up with BHive