Food and Agtech

Arbia, based in Vancouver, has developed an online agri-food platform that connects farmers, distributors and grocers. This AI-powered solution helps users simplify many tasks, including order coordination, inventory tracking and payment transfers.

This Ottawa-based venture manufactures modular hydroponic farms to help communities grow fresh crops year-round, regardless of climate. Growcer’s farms have been installed in 40 countries to date.

Hydrocool Systems, based in Toronto, has developed AI-powered hydrogen transport refrigeration units (TRUs) to replace traditional diesel refrigeration units on trucks. This zero-carbon alternative reduces emissions, costs and food spoilage.

Calgary-based Knead Tech is fighting food insecurity by removing the manual processes of coordinating donations. The company’s digital solution schedules pickups, creates routes, manages volunteers and tracks environmental impact.

PULR Technologies, with headquarters in Trois-Rivières, Que., has developed a radio frequency identification solution (the same retail technology that generates a price when an item is placed in a basket) for use in supply chains. Made from ink and graphite, this tech allows users to track inventory by product, rather than shipment, which makes inventory and recalled product management more accurate and efficient.

This Barrie, Ont. company has developed an AI solution that consolidates a company’s wholesale vendors on a single platform, allowing users to automate order management. Purchs software also provides sales performance analytics, and helps vendors list prices, control inventory and manage payments.

Relocalize, based in Montreal, has developed autonomous, on-site micro-factories that create packaged ice and cold water packs that cut costs and carbon emissions. These 1,200 square feet facilities are 5 percent the size of a conventional factory and don’t need refrigerants.

Montreal-based Soralink uses AI and machine learning that completes predictive maintenance service for industrial food processing machines. These sensor systems monitor changes in vibration, sound and temperature — alerting managers before potentially expensive breakdowns occur.

Based in Richmond Hill, Tewari De-Ox Systems has patented a novel packaging film and sachet that prolongs the life of certain enzymes found in meat, extending the shelf life of meat products.

Aaron Cheng is a technology and business leader with over 25 years of experience at TELUS, currently serving as Director of Ventures and Strategic Investments in the Agriculture and Consumer Goods business. He brings a diverse background to strategic planning, with experience across Engineering, Operations, Product Development, Customer Experiences, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Strategic Programs.

Audre Kapacinskas is a Principal at S2G Investments, where she leads Corporate Development. She works with corporates, investors, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of resilient, transformative technologies across Food & Agriculture, Energy, and Oceans.

Her focus is on turning innovation into growth—building commercial pathways, forging partnerships, and helping organizations navigate complex transitions. Before S2G, she led sales and strategy at a predictive analytics start-up and advised private equity and corporate clients on growth initiatives.

Audre holds an Honours BA from the University of Toronto, an MA from Vilnius University, and was a Fulbright Scholar. She lives in Chicago with her family.

Leah Perry is a Senior Associate at Wittington Ventures’ Innovation Fund, investing in seed-stage deeptech ventures in climate and health. Recognized by Corporate Knights as one of Canada’s Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders (2022), she brings over a decade of experience supporting Canadian startups through roles at MaRS Discovery District and Export Development Canada, where she helped ventures navigate capital journeys across food and agtech, renewable energy, alternative materials, and the circular economy. At MaRS, Leah also founded the Women in Cleantech network, reflecting her commitment to advancing diversity in the climate sector. She holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, specializing in impact investing and sustainable finance.

Having spent most of her earlier career on Bay Street at Raymond James in US Institutional Sales, Laura has worked for the past decade as managing director at The Arrell Family Foundation. The foundations mission is “To Improve Human and Planetary Health Through Food” and Laura has extensive experience working to address food insecurity and transform food systems by supporting advocacy and policy work, through public and private partnerships, and as an advisor to Arrell Food Institute at University of Guelph. In early 2025 she joined Nya Ventures as venture partner, investing in innovation in deep tech in Food and Agriculture.

Nick Betts is the inaugural Executive Director for the Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food (CANZA). He is an action-driven, strategy-guided leader focused on building and deploying opportunities to drive positive climate impact across the agri-food industry. Betts’ career spans all aspects of the sustainable agri-food space, catalyzing innovative and implementable solutions at the local and global level.

Sean O’Connor is the CEO of 4AG Robotics, a B.C.-based company that builds mushroom harvesting robots. He has helped the company raise over $60 million in venture capital and expand across three continents.

Prior to joining 4AG Robotics, O’Connor was the managing director of Conexus Venture Capital and Emmertech, and was on the leadership team of Grow Technologies, a Canadian fintech company acquired by ATB Financial. O’Connor has also sat on the board of more than a dozen companies in the technology, AgTech, hospitality and non-profit sectors.

He graduated with a degree in Finance and International Business from McGill University.

Joshua Goodman is the head of corporate sustainability at Sobeys, where he is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing sustainable business strategies and initiatives in Sobeys locations across the country. With nearly 20 years of experience, Goodman has held sustainability roles with several leading Canadian companies in the retail, financial services, consumer product goods and real estate sectors. Prior to that, he worked in the U.S. and Europe, focusing on national security policy. Joshua holds an LL.M., specializing in international economic regulatory systems from the University of Kent.

Bill Crysler is MNP’s national tax leader for food and beverage processing. He is also the regional family office services lead at the firm’s Calgary office. With more than a decade of tax and financial accounting experience, he is committed to helping business owners grow and meet their organizational and personal financial goals. Crysler works one-on-one with private enterprises and small businesses, providing advice on corporate and personal tax, corporate compliance, tax planning, estate planning, mergers and acquisitions, valuations and tax structuring. Prior to joining MNP, he worked at one of the big four firms and as a partner in his own firm. Crysler graduated from Brock University in 2009 with an honours bachelor of accounting and is a chartered professional accountant (CPA), qualifying as a chartered accountant (CA) in 2010. Crysler is also an active volunteer in his community.

Since 2022, Kirstin has been CEO of Food Banks Canada. With more than a decade of leadership roles within the organization, she has helped direct its network of more than 5,500 food banks and community agencies. She has a deep understanding of food insecurity in Canada, and is passionate about working to create a country where no one goes hungry.

Nelson is the co-founder and managing partner of Climate Innovation Capital, a climate-focused venture fund. A pioneer and leader in corporate sustainability and sustainable finance, he has more than two decades of experience helping companies, investors and governments address the opportunities and risks of climate change.

At Vector Institute, Warren leads the international business development efforts for Canada’s leading applied AI research and innovation organization. He connects global corporations with Canada’s experts in AI and machine learning, accelerating cutting-edge technologies to make a global impact. Before joining Vector, Warren spent a decade leading innovation initiatives in Canada’s automotive and technology industries, and led VC and economic development in the public and private sectors.