2026 Startup Pitch Competition Highlights

On April 30, 2026, SIAL Canada hosted the 7th edition of the Startup Pitch Competition. The event brought together 15 entrepreneurs from the Start-Up Village, who presented their projects to a panel of experts from the agri-food industry.

Divided into three categories, Seed CPG, Scale CPG, and FoodTech, participants had 2 minutes and 30 seconds to pitch their vision, followed by a Q&A session with the jury.

More than just a competition, the event serves as a true platform for networking and opportunities, connecting entrepreneurs with buyers, investors, and key decision-makers from across the ecosystem.

Learn more about the competition

Discover the 2026 Winners

Seed CPG Grand Prize: Nasdrow

Premium ready-to-drink non-alcoholic cocktails made with natural flavours, crafted to deliver an experience worthy of the best cocktail bars.

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A Word from the Jury Chair (CPG)

Carl Boutet, Business Strategist and Executive Advisor at the Bensadoun School of Retail Management at McGill University

"Nasdrow demonstrated that a non-alcoholic cocktail can rival the finest bar creations, not by imitating alcohol, but by fully embracing its own sensory identity: complex, distinctive, and memorable."

A Word from the Winner

Victoire Guglieri, Founder of Nasdrow

"In an increasingly competitive non-alcoholic beverage market, seeing our product line stand out before a panel of industry experts is a powerful validation of our vision."

Scale CPG Grand Prize: Les Brutes de Soya Inc

Plant-based proteins rich in protein and fibre, designed to replace or complement meat in a simple, affordable, and versatile way.

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A Word from the Jury Chair (CPG)

Carl Boutet, Business Strategist and Executive Advisor at the Bensadoun School of Retail Management at McGill University

"In a context of persistent food inflation, Les Brutes successfully transformed a nutritional conviction into a practical, delicious, and scalable solution, proving that sustainability and affordability are not compromises, but competitive advantages."

A Word from the Winner

Cloé Helmond, Co-Founder of Les Brutes de Soya

"This award represents far more than recognition for our product; it highlights the hard work, perseverance, and passion that have been invested since day one."

FoodTech Grand Prize: Maia Farms

Protein developed through a bioreactor fermentation technology using oyster mushroom mycelium, transforming agricultural by-products into a scalable, high-protein ingredient with a low environmental footprint.

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A Word from the Winner

Gavin Schneider, CEO of Maia Farms

"This recognition from SIAL has already brought tremendous awareness to our company's mission and delicious product offerings."

Relive the Competition in Video

Prizes designed to accelerate their growth

The three winning companies received:

- A session with NielsenIQ’s market data experts
- Brand strategy support from PIGEON
- A membership with the Canadian Food Innovation Network
- Enhanced visibility at SIAL Toronto 2027
- Strong media visibility before, during, and after the show

A special thank you to our jury chairs, Carl Boutet, Business Strategist and Executive Advisor at the Bensadoun School of Retail Management at McGill University, and Julie Daigle, Regional Director of Innovation (Quebec) at the Canadian Food Innovation Network, for their commitment and expertise.

Discover all the jury members

Competition Partners

Exhibit at SIAL Canada 2027

Join the next edition from April 27 to 29, 2027, in Toronto and connect with key players in the North American agri-food industry.

Reserve your booth