Program to help entrepreneurs start a food business
York Region is now accepting applications for a new Agri-Food Start-Up Program, a two-year initiative designed to support equity-deserving and Indigenous entrepreneurs build and grow successful food-based businesses.
In collaboration with Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network and Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, the program aims to break down systemic barriers in the agri-food sector and encourage inclusive economic growth across the Region.
The program is offered free of charge and provides participants with a wide range of support and resources, including mentorship, regulatory guidance and training in food safety, operational efficiency and business planning led by Foodpreneur Lab. Participants will also have access to subsidized commercial-grade kitchens through the platform Syzl and will receive access to artificial intelligence-driven tools to optimize production, support business planning and reduce waste. Elders and advisors from the Chippewas of Georgina Island and neighbouring First Nations will mentor Indigenous participants, incorporating traditional knowledge and practices into sustainable business models.
The program will be delivered in a hybrid format. It will be offered in two cohorts, the first of which will run from September 2025 to March 2026 with 10 entrepreneurs. A second cohort, also consisting of 10 entrepreneurs, will be selected in 2026. Participants are expected to commit four to six hours per week to complete online modules and other training.
York Region’s agri-food sector encompasses more than 5,000 businesses and contributes $3.8 billion to the economy, supporting 67,000 jobs, the Region reports. “This program supports growth of a diverse, connected local food value chain by fostering inclusive economic development,” it says. “By addressing barriers like limited access to commercial kitchens, financing and tailored support, the Agri-Food Start-Up Program aims to empower equity-deserving and Indigenous entrepreneurs to fully participate in this vital sector.”
The program is funded in part by the federal government under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial-initiative. Applications for the Agri-Food Start-Up Program are open until Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Eligible applicants must identify as Indigenous of a member of an equity-deserving group, such as a member of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, women and 2SLGTBQI+. For more information and to apply, visit yorklink.ca/FoodStartup.
Photo courtesy of York Region.