Food research and innovation hub
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).
Food and Beverage
Become part of Brampton’s food research & innovation hub
Brampton takes pride in cultivating a dynamic and supportive business environment for its thriving food and beverage sector, from processing raw materials to packaging and distribution for fresh and prepared foods as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Supported by industry-leading technologies, top-quality products and deeply-rooted agricultural traditions, Brampton’s food and beverage sector is a one-stop-shop, complete with food testing, processing and packaging facilities, transportation, packaging design resources, equipment and refrigeration storage, all located within the city limits.
Quick Facts
Well Connected for Trade
Located just 20 minutes from the Ontario
Food Terminal - the largest wholesale fruit and produce distribution center in Canada.
A hub of Activity
Brampton is part of Ontario’s food cluster, one of North America’s largest agri-food sectors.
YOU’RE IN GOOD COMPANY
The sector employs 8,500 workers in Brampton.
An Essential Industry
Food & Beverage is the second largest manufacturing sector in Canada by value, contributing more more than $32B to Canada’s GDP in 2020.
Home to leading Food & Beverage companies
Major players in the Food & Beverage 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.
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.
How we help
BHive’s Food & Beverage 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 food & beverage industry to provide mentorship, guidance and support.
Access to research facilities
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 food & beverage professionals as well as thousands of students enrolled at local post-secondary institutions.
Dedicated Sector Manager
Access to a dedicated Sector Manager specializing in the F&B sector to provide industry-specific advice for the Canadian and North American markets.
Who should apply
Our Food & Beverage cohort is suited to coachable, energetic founders with start-ups focused on shaping the future of the F&B sector, such as building proprietary technologies to solve problems in food distribution, manufacturing healthy food products or tackling supply chain shortages.
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:- IP.
- Patent.
- Pilot Customers.
Start-up focus areas may include:
- Cloud Kitchen.
- Food Production.
- Plant-Based Meat.
- Alternative Protein.
- Alternative Beverages.
- Alternative Seafood.
- Manufacturing.
- Packaging.
- Food Processing.
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.