Amount: up to $100,000 in non-repayable matching contributions.
Bioenterprise Canada has just launched Round 2 of the Sustainable Growth and Adoption Program (SGAP). This initiative supports food and agri-food technology businesses in southern Ontario by offering non-repayable funding to help them adopt and implement innovative clean technologies, practices, and process improvements.
Goal of the Program
SGAP offers non-repayable funding to later-stage food- and agri-tech businesses for projects that enable clean growth, expansion, modernization, and sustainability enhancements in their operations. The objective of the program is to promote sustainability across the value chain by de-risking the adoption of clean technologies and the integration of sustainable practices. Direct support will be provided to companies adopting new technologies or adapting current operations to become greener and more sustainable.
Eligible projects
SGAP is an environmentally focused initiative designed to advance sustainability throughout the agricultural value chain and drive clean economic growth by pursuing the following goals:
- De-risk the adoption of clean technologies and the integration of sustainable practices and process enhancements;
- Accelerate sustainable business growth, expansion, and modernization;
- Reduce carbon emissions and support the transition to a green economy; and
- Create and maintain jobs.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
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Be a for-profit private enterprise or a not-for-profit organization that fits one or both of these categories:
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Prepared to adopt and implement proven clean technologies from an approved Sustainability Project Partner;
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Ready to collaborate with an approved Sustainability Project Partner to carry out sustainability enhancement projects that evaluate potential operational improvements.
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Operate within the Food and Agri-Food Technology sectors;
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Generate at least $200,000 in annual revenue (not applicable to not-for-profits);
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Be incorporated in Canada and located in southern Ontario;
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Able to provide a 60% cost match for eligible project expenses, up to $150,000.
Eligible applicants must collaborate with an eligible Sustainability Project Partner to meet their growth and adoption needs through one or both of the following:
- The integration of proven clean technologies into operations; and/or
- The implementation of sustainability enhancement activities to assess possible modifications to current operations.
Funding
SGAP offers non-repayable, matching contributions from $40,000 to $100,000 to later-stage food and agri-food tech businesses ready to lead projects that enable expansion, modernization and enhanced sustainability.
Deadline
Application intake for Round 2 of SGAP opens on June 18, 2025 and closes on August 6 at 11:59 pm ET.
Program funding
SGAP is a three-year initiative (2024-2027) supported by an investment of $5.95 million from the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario. Through this program, Bioenterprise is committed to supporting the fund’s strategy of prioritizing clean economic growth, business development, and technology adoption in the food and agri-food tech sectors. Round 1 of SGAP supported fifteen food and agri-food businesses in southern Ontario with nearly $1.4 million in matching contributions.
About Bioenterprise Canada
Bioenterprise is Canada’s Food and Agri-Tech Engine, bringing more than 20 years of industry experience and a national and international network of academia, experts, government, industry players, mentors, and research institutions to help small- and medium-sized businesses in the sector to connect, innovate, and grow. Through its experienced service partner network, Bioenterprise offers a wide range of expertise and support to its clients. In partnership with other industries, Bioenterprise opens doors to new technologies and platforms to help food and agri-tech businesses innovate and grow.
