Access to Innovation (A2I) Info Session

Web Info Session: New Funding Open to Food and Beverage Businesses

George Brown Polytechnic has launched a new R&D funding program for food companies. Join us for an online info session on the Access to Innovation (A2I) program at George Brown Polytechnic’s Food Innovation & Research Studio (FIRSt) and learn how partnering with a college on contract R&D can be a game-changer for your business.

In this session, we'll walk through:

What the A2I program offers, including a 50/50 funding split on eligible research projectsWho qualifies, and what kinds of food and beverage products FIRSt works withThe process of engaging in contract R&D, from your first conversation to a final formulationHow to navigate the intake process, protect your intellectual property, and get a project off the ground

Whether you're developing a product, struggling with sourcing for a current product, seeking shelf-life support, or are unsure about what support you might need, this session will give you a clearer picture of how to move from problem to solution with expert support and funding behind you.

About FIRSt:

The Food Innovation & Research Studio (FIRSt) is a federally funded Technology Access Centre within George Brown Polytechnic that exists to make research and development services more accessible. FIRSt is a group of food scientists and chefs that can be hired to complete a technical project in food and beverage. Any size of company can hire our team, and we can work with the founder or the technical department. FIRSt has permanent, dedicated food scientists and chefs that know how create a research plan, trial different solutions, and finalize a bench-top formulation or result. FIRSt opened its doors 14 years ago and has supported 400 companies.

About Info Session Facilitator:

Michelle Kienitz Henderson is a business development and strategic partnerships leader with deep experience supporting growth and innovation across Canada’s food and agri‑food ecosystem. At George Brown Polytechnic’s Food Innovation & Research Studio (FIRSt), she helps food and beverage companies accelerate commercialization by connecting them with technical expertise, market insights, and the resources needed to bring new products successfully to market. Having received and distributed many grant programs and funds, Michelle is always thinking of ways to support food and beverage companies. Throughout her professional career, Michelle has supported business owners through roles in partnerships, marketing, and ecosystem development and has always prioritized a collaborative approach, relying on her ability to build strong industry relationships.

About Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA):

​​​​​The Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) is a non-profit business incubator established by Black Creek Community Health Centre and York University (YSpace, York U TD CEC) that amplifies and advances the next generation of Black entrepreneurs and professionals. The BEA consists of a suite of incubator and accelerator programs in technology, small businesses, food, and professional development. BEA provides Black entrepreneurs and professionals with fully funded programs and partnerships to launch successful ventures.

Learn more at ​​​​​www.thebea.co.

About Foodpreneur Lab

Foodpreneur Lab is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing economic opportunity through food entrepreneurship. Established in 2019, it is the only Canadian Black woman-founded and led nonprofit with a national mandate to advance racial and gender equity in the food sector. Its mission is to level the playing field for underserved communities by equipping food and beverage entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and industry access needed to build sustainable, scalable businesses.Through training, mentorship, and strategic connections, Foodpreneur Lab supports founders in strengthening their operations, entering new markets, and growing competitive brands. The organization is driven by a vision to move beyond limiting categories such as the “ethnic food aisle,” and instead champion innovative products that reflect cultural identity, lived experience, and a strong sense of belonging.

Learn more at www.foodpreneurlab.com.

About YSpace

​​YSpace is York University’s pan-university entrepreneurship and innovation hub supporting startups and entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors and communities. Our programming spans across scaling innovative technologies through customer and investor capital to scaling agri-food businesses into mass retail to diversity-focused initiatives like ELLA for women-led businesses and in partnership with Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) for Black-led businesses. We are also home to two physical hubs in the City of Markham and the Town of Georgina.

​​​Learn more at ​https://www.yorku.ca/yspace/