Our most anticipated event, CHFA Launch Pad, is back in Toronto this September. This “Dragons’ Den” style competition puts 8 selected brands, head-to-head in front of industry vets on the judging panel for a chance to launch your product ahead of the rest.
Meet Our Finalists!
Up & Away
By Aeryon Wellness
Booth #720 at the Purity Pavilion
FOCUS SUPERFOOD CREAMER
By BUZZD Nutrition Inc.
Booth #1433
BUZZD is a line of dairy-free superfood coffee creamers on a mission to make superfoods delicious and easy for health-conscious consumers to have in their daily routine. Their latest blend "FOCUS", uses apoptogenic mushrooms to promote focus and reduce stress, all with an incredible natural vanilla flavour.
Dream Pops Bites Peanut Butter
By Dream Pops/Propel Natural Brands
Booth #934
Dream Pops Bites Peanut Butter are the best tasting plant-based ice cream on the market. Think Reese's peanut butter cups but better for you.
Born Again Protein Brownies
By GroundUp eco-ventures ltd.
Booth #2433
GroundUp eco-ventures upcycles beer and coffee byproducts to make nutrient-dense flours. Their Born Again Protein Brownies deliver both taste and nutrition. Each contains 8 gms of fiber and 5 grams of protein. Everything you want in a brownie, and even more of what you need.
Alcohol-Free Sangria
By Gruvi
Booth #451
Gruvi is the only alcohol-free beverage company in North America that produces de-alcoholized Sangria. It uses a premium California red blend that has been de-alcoholized, giving their Sangria an authentic and complex flavour.
Adapt2
By Gutsy Kombucha
Booth #732
Gutsy Kombucha created Adapt2, an innovative beverage that combines fermented drinks and adaptogenic plants - super plants known to help the body adapt to daily stressors, improve cognitive functions, strengthen and invigorate the immune system, help balance your mood, and provide long-lasting energy. It’s the first and only ready to drink (RTD) made from fermented adaptogenic plants in Canada.
Hekate Sport
By Hekate
Booth #2442A
Hekate is launching the first mushroom powered hydration product on the market. Their formula uses a combination of functional mushrooms and coconut water to provide naturally sourced electrolytes in a convenient on-the-go format. Adding functional mushrooms that have adaptogenic properties can help the body better handle the stress of training, while supporting focus and performance.
Berry Buglicious
By HOPE Pet Food
Booth #2443B
HOPE Pet Food is closing the gap between sustainability and nutrition through an innovative and evidence-based approach using alternative proteins, such as insects, algae and fungi to create pet food.
FOCUS SUPERFOOD CREAMER
By BUZZD Nutrition Inc.
Booth #1433
Dream Pops Bites Peanut Butter
By Dream Pops/Propel Natural Brands
Booth #934
Born Again Protein Brownies
By GroundUp eco-ventures ltd.
Booth #2433
Alcohol-Free Sangria
By Gruvi
Booth #451
Adapt2
By Gutsy Kombucha
Booth #732
Hekate Sport
By Hekate
Booth #2442A
Berry Buglicious
By HOPE Pet Food
Booth #2443B
Congratulations to Our Vancouver 2022 Winner
Watch the Launch Pad Pitches
When: Friday, September 16, 2022 5:00–6:15 PM ET
Where: Rooms 206C & 206D , Beanfield Centre
Winner Announcement at the CHFA Industry Achievement Awards
When: Saturday, September 17, 2022 , 5:00–7:00 PM ET
Where: Ballroom D, Beanfield Centre
Immuno10 Probiotic Oat-Based Smoothie
By Yoso / Jonluca Enterprises Inc
Booth #534 (Incubator Alley)
Here’s What’s up for Grabs:
$15,000 in advertising, plus a feature editorial with Grocery Business Magazine
Two, one-hour mentorship sessions with retail and CPG industry vets, Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci and promotion on their awesome podcast, This Commerce Life!
A booth at CHFA NOW 2023
+ exposure through our CHFA industry publications and social media channels
Finalists will get the opportunity to be a part of a 2-hour claims workshop hosted by Shopper1st. This workshop will give you an overview of shopper behaviour principles, triggers to purchase and global best practices on claims that help your product move off the shelves.*
*Valued at $4,000
Who You Have to Win Over:
Our judging panel is made up of investors, category managers and more—if you want your product to launch to the next level, these are the people to impress. Click on their headshots to learn tips for success.
Q&A with Charles Buhagiar
Q: What are you looking for when bringing in new products to the natural, organic and wellness section of Metro?
A: I’m looking for products that set themselves apart from others, proving their unique advantage in the market.
Q&A with Mike Fata
Q: What’s the most important thing you’re looking for when scoping out new businesses to invest in?
A: The combination of a truly innovative product and a growth-focused founder make for a highly investable business.
Q&A with Shelley King
Q: What makes a successful pitch?
A: A solid pitch is like an iceberg. You’re presenting this beautiful, shiny thing that is supported by the massive depth of the innovation, team, and business plan beneath it.
Q&A with Mary Scianna
Q: How can brands stand out from the competition?
A: Brands with a compelling story to support the product and well-designed packaging will stand out from the rest.
Q&A with Greg Wight
Q: What will it take to win you over?
A: An offering designed with the end-user in mind, not just in the design of the product, but also how the Brand communicates with the person that will ultimately buy the product: The Shopper.
Winner Announcement
CHFA Industry Achievement Awards
Location: Ballroom A in the Vancouver Convention Centre
Saturday, April 23, 2022
5:00 – 7:00 PM PT
What Does It Take to Win?
Judges are on the hunt for innovative products, a strong business plan, and a killer pitch to seal the deal.
Think your product is the next big thing?
Tell us about it by completing the application below, and you could be one of the eight finalists selected to go to the show.
The Rules:
- You must be exhibiting at CHFA NOW Toronto 2022
- Your product must be new. New flavours or new packaging formats do not count.
- Your product must have launched/will be launching between September 1, 2021 and August 31, 2022
- Your product and marketing material must comply with Canadian regulations
- Application deadline is August 12, 2022.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Highlights From Our Vancouver 2022 Event
Since the win, visiting retailers are excited to congratulate me and the brand on our success. In addition, winning a free booth at the next show plus advertising dollars means the world to a smaller brand trying to make headway in our industry…
Past Winners
Thank You to Our Partner Grocery Business Magazine
Thank You to Our Sponsors
