Tandy Thackeray
Operations, Agriculture & Innovation
SISKIYOU Economic Development
Siskiyou Economic Development Centre and Siskiyou Farm Co. are pleased to endorse Food Venture Program Inc. for its exceptional support of food entrepreneurs. Their comprehensive approach, combining mentorship, education, and industry insights, has empowered countless startups to grow and thrive in the competitive food market. By providing tailored resources and expert guidance, Food Venture Program Inc. plays a vital role in fostering innovation and sustainability in the food industry. We are confident that our businesses who participated in the 12 Week Bootcamp gained invaluable tools for success. We highly recommend Food Venture Program Inc. for any food business seeking to scale and excel.
Kendra Wack, MBA, B.Ed.
Executive Director, FEAD
Food Venture Program has allowed FEAD Canada to increase our reach and impact our community in a meaningful way. FEAD has run multiple FVP programs, allowing our team to continue on the mission of supporting our members throughout their professional and entrepreneurial journeys.
We understand the importance of showcasing relevant expertise in the Food and Beverage sector and FVP continues to bring these experts to the table for the benefit of the small businesses we support.
Jamie Bootsma
Founder, Bootsma Bakery
The Food Venture Accelerator is well organized, and has great, relevant content. I've learned so much even after being in business for 6 years.
Alayne B.
Owner, Rosy's Kitchen
Taking the program helped me jump start into food business with knowledgeable instructors and a network to gain information from.
Perri R.
Owner, Dairy Belles
The Food Venture Program really helped me establish a clear direction for launching my food business. I had talked to many different professionals trying to obtain information on where to start, and no one really knew details about a food business specifically.
Sima and Kiran introduce many contacts and industry experts who help streamline the overall process of how and where to start when launching a food business.
I had spent a significant investment of my savings trying to launch my business venture, and if I had taken this course earlier I'm positive it would have saved me time, money, and the stress of not knowing! I advise anyone who is interested in starting up a food business to take this course first because by the end you will be ready to pitch your food product to potential buyers with confidence.
Jennifer V.
Manager, Entrepreneurial Services Planning
After the success of the 2020 program, we are thrilled to be able to offer the Food Venture Program again in 2021. We received an OVERWHELMING response to applications for the FVP program, and we are glad to have access to a program that is so relevant to our community.
We expect this bootcamp to provide entrepreneurs with the food industry specific knowledge they need to take their business further, create employment opportunities, and participate in economic growth and prosperity for the region.
Hannah C.
North Metro Colorado SBDC
This first session was super fun and engaging! We are all looking forward to the rest of the content throughout the course and appreciate the high level of quality you provide through the course.
Danielle P.
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Navigator,
Southwest Indiana SBDC Network
I really enjoyed the content [of the Food Service Startup Program] and I was highly engaged! The depth of information was delivered well. I will definitely be able to offer more support and feedback to the Food Businesses in my network!
Jacqueline R.
Business Advisor, Southwest Indiana SBDC Network
I thought this was a great presentation!
Speaking from my own experience, restaurateurs have a passion for food and service. This program is a great example of all the structure that needs to be put in place for a food business. If you can get in with this type of knowledge when you start your business, it’s going to save you so many headaches as you continue to grow.
Everything you explained during this session took us years to perfect. It was very insightful and very educational for our clients who are in this initial concept phase of their business.
I appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge and resources.
Beckie P.
Founder, Beck's Broth
Food Venture Accelerator has helped us increase in sales, and learn what we needed to in order to become retail ready!
Melanie F.
Food Founder
Thank you again for EVERYTHING that you did. I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoyed and valued this [Farm to Retail] program. It has inspired me to take this further than what I ever imagined!
Rufai Bishi
Founder, Nova Aurica Products
After completing the Get into Retail program, I feel very prepared to move ahead. The quality of the content and live coaches exceeded my expectations. I am leaving with a much larger network of experts and far more knowledge than I started with - ready to take my brand to retail shelves.
Jeff Salem
Founder, Salem's Lott Hot Sauces
Sima and her team at Food Venture Accelerator offered an amazing presentation for entrepreneurs looking at getting their start in the food industry. Even if you are established you will gain great new information, insights, guidance, tips and mentoring.
I thoroughly enjoyed each week with a new guest speaker and the diverse coverage of many important topics related to the food industry.
I took home useful information each week that will continue to help assist me in growing my business further. Thank you once again for offering a well organized course.
M. Ransom
Founder, Latinito Empanadas
The Food Venture Program has provided lots of very useful information for anyone looking to become a food entrepreneur, and is also designed to help established businesses on certain aspects that they could improve to reach a higher number of customers.
Many topics were covered by a variety of speakers with different expertise within the food industry, including marketing, packaging, and branding. Many useful tools were also provided such as production cost templates, important contact information, and branding consultations. It was a pleasure to be involved in the program, and I would greatly recommend it to anyone interesting in learning about how to grow their food business.
Candice A
Food Founder
FVP 12 week program offered great insight into the food business, the content, and speakers were exceptional. From ideation to distribution of your product. The program is like no other out there.
Elissa N
Quality Assurance Manager, Northern Goose
I'm on session 4 of the 10-week Farm to Retail program, and I'm on fire with ideas on how to differentiate and market
my product. It's been an opportunity to be flooded with ideas that can't happen when I'm busy with the day to day. Can't wait for next weeks' session!
Jennifer B.
Owner, This Momma's Kitchen
I am so grateful that the Food Venture Accelerator exists. As a new food entrepreneur I am looking for educational experiences that will help me build a solid foundation as I start my business. FVA has given me tools, knowledge, guidance and connections in this industry I might not have had if not for my participation in this program. For example, I audio recorded each session on my phone so I can play it back like a podcast whenever I have time to soak in more of this educational opportunity. Finally, I submitted my pitch in the pitch competition for our cohort and won the Innovation Award funded by Georgian College's Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre! Thank you so much to both organizations for this opportunity. It will not be lost on me!
Anita G.
Owner, Anita's Ohm Cooking
The Food Venture Program helped me go from friends and family sales to commercial production. I was able to find sustainable packaging, something I had never considered prior to the program
One of the unexpected highlights was meeting other "dreamers" working on their own ideas.
Andrew F.
Founder, Cutie Pies
After working on Cutie Pies for 8 years as a side gig, the 12-Week FVP Bootcamp gave me the confidence to focus on it full time.
Cutie Pies are savory small bite-sized baked pies that pair perfectly with tea/coffee! A great alternative to cake and coffee for those who prefer savory treats over sweet!
Gille. Tchappi
Founder, Taltis Food Inc.
I would like to thank you for this amazing program and for your constant support.
You really help me to understand how to effectively formulate my business value proposition. I am looking to stay in touch and share with you our success.
Abdelsalam E.
(Northumberland ON)
I have been searching on how to get products in retail and there is nothing like this course that l have seen anywhere... gave me all the information. l will be forever thankful. So many knowledgeable industry experts and for that l am thankful.
George S.
Owner, ef zeen
The workshop was an excellent introduction into the field of food industry. It covered important guidelines and information to help everyone gain new knowledge and develop their business plan. I appreciated mentorship and the advisory support on what it needs to take into consideration in the early stages of starting a food business. Myself had a gap in knowledge in the initial processes and requirements of food packaging, including the marketing, legal and financial requirements, and an understanding of how to plan a food packaging business. (Alumni of the Restaurant Recovery Program)
Adhavan T.
Owner, Thiru's Gourmet
A huge thank you to you, and the team for putting together this fantastic BootCamp! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I found it valuable as it allows our family business to have a more knowledgeable discussion in transitioning our current business model - sincerely appreciate it.
Jeff D.
Owner, Island Son Hot Sauces
Kiran and Sima combined to knock this program out of the park! I learned a lot in a very short amount of time and made some great connections too!
Tracy Keller,
Owner, Eganville's Finest Old Fashioned Ice Cream
I want to start by thanking you for the opportunity to participate in this wonderful program. In these past weeks, I was able to connect with fellow business owners and producers. During these COVID times, the usual network channels have been lost to us.
Also, during these times, it is easy to allow the doubts to creep in because it has been challenging to be in food with the ever changing rules and regulations around staffing and service. FVA gave us an outlet to understand that we are not alone and that it is a fluid situation that will settle.
I have been in the food business for over 25 years and have owned my ice cream company for 11 years. Began food service and catering in 2018 and started my take out in 2020. Because of this course, I have gained enough confidence in my education, management skills and leadership that I will be expanding my business to a second location in the next town.
I am so grateful to have participated in this course. I have learned so much and it gave me enough tools to take a good look at my operations and identify weaknesses and strengths. I have made the necessary changes to keep my business viable and competitive. My next steps will be recipe development for a Low Carb Ice Cream and distribution.
Katie C.
Owner, Monarch Tea
I've been absolutely LOVING the class. I am blown away by the level of insight, guidance and knowledge offered in the course. I was telling my husband the other day how this program has truly been more insightful and helpful than when I was in college! Thank you and your team so, so much for putting together this wonderful resource. I truly find I look forward to every Tuesday!
Jenny Morton
Founder, Sweet Wild
The Food Venture Program is the BEST resource if you are in food production. I had NO idea when I signed up, how amazing it would actually be. The quality and caliber of the coaches and businesses involved providing the information and resources is INSANE! Hearing first hand from people who OWN million dollar businesses themselves, is so great. Once in a lifetime experience!
Gail P. (client)
Laurier's University Women Entrepreneurship Centre
The FVP is the most comprehensive, thorough, full-spectrum course imaginable for those desiring to start a food business.
I do have an accounting degree and I can honestly say that the wisdom/advice I've received from your program far surpasses any business course I took.
Cindy James
Manager, Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls, Lanark County, Northern Leeds Grenville, Ontario)
The Food Venture Program gave our culinary entrepreneurs a path to fast-forward their food business ideas, and successfully launch into retail. With the development of our local food businesses, we expect employment growth and an extended sales reach for local business. The program was thorough, professional and well paced. We look forward to working with Food Venture Program again.
Norman Musengimana
Kingston Economic Development Centre
The Kingston Economic Development Corporation has worked with the Food Venture Program (FVP) to Deliver three workshops simultaneously. We run the 5-Session Restaurant Recovery: Pivot to CPG program, the 12-Weeks Food Venture Program, and the 5-Session Tourism Recovery for Food Businesses.
The Kingston’s Integrated Economic Development Strategy has a specific focus on the creation of a conducive business environment for both new and existing food and beverage businesses. This program aligns well with the Kingston’s strategic priorities to support entrepreneurs in the food and beverage sector and rural economy.
These programs were engaging, blending both theory and expert guided advice from the FVP team as well the successful entrepreneurs and experts brought to share, guide and lead sessions under these programs.
We are looking forward to hosting more sessions to continue to support our food and beverage entrepreneurs.
Fanta Yao
Founder, The No Sugar But Sweet Foods Inc.
The Get into retail program offers a well-balanced curriculum covering key aspects of the food and beverage industry, from product development and regulations to sales and co-packing. The live coaches are highly knowledgeable, approachable and genuinely supportive. I found the program practical, insightful, and highly valuable for growing my food startup
Dr. Michael M.
Executive Director, Food & Beverage Manitoba
The team at [Food Venture Accelerator] are an absolute pleasure to work with. Not only are the instructors knowledgeable about the sector, they are able to present the material in a way that is accessible to even those just starting out on their food business journey. The customization of the program and thoughtful approach to the curriculum design has allowed us to offer this for three years in a row, and each year seems to get better.
Shemeka D.
Co-Owner, Green Geek Juice Co.
The Food Venture Program was incredible from the very beginning to the very end. The information was jam packed with value and eye opening. Even after being in business for over 5 years I thoroughly looked forward to what the next day had to offer and walked away with practical notes every single session. When providing key points, the speakers were sure to dig deeper and back up their statements with really life stats! The topics are engaging and relatable no matter where you are in your entrepreneurship journey. I highly encourage this program be taken.