Export Development Canada

Export Development Canada is an export credit agency established in 1944 and headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. Its primary mission is to assist Canadian companies, both large and small, in expanding their operations internationally. The agency provides a range of credit services, which include loans and financial support, to facilitate global trade. The majority of its investment portfolio comprises loans receivable, along with significant holdings in cash and marketable securities. Through these services, Export Development Canada plays a vital role in enhancing the competitiveness of Canadian businesses in the global marketplace.

Erik Brien-Wright

Investment Manager

Carl Burlock

Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer

Ken Kember

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Mairead Lavery

President and Chief Executive Officer

Michael Machabee

Managing Partner, EDC Investments

Isabela Murillo

Senior Associate

Jacqueline Ovens

Managing Partner

Marc Andre Seguin

Director, Global Accounts

Gabriel Sirois

Investment Manager

Past deals in Food Processing

Goodleaf Farms

Venture Round in 2023
Goodleaf Farms is focused on producing local and ultra-fresh greens without pesticides.

Three Farmers

Venture Round in 2022
Three Farmers Foods Inc., based in Saskatoon, Canada, specializes in producing healthy snacks and cooking oil. Established in 2007, the company offers a range of products including roasted chickpeas, pea pops, crunchy lentils, and camelina cooking oil. Committed to sustainability and quality, the founders—Colin, Dan, and Ron, who are second and third generation farmers—aim to connect with consumers by sharing their agricultural heritage and preserving the land. Their products are available through retail stores and online, reflecting their dedication to promoting nutritious food options.

Entosystem

Venture Round in 2022
Entosystem is a Canadian company based in Sherbrooke that specializes in producing entomological proteins and flour derived from insects. Founded in 2016, the company uses innovative insect farming technologies to convert food waste, particularly grocery waste, into high-value insect protein products. These products, which include dried and live larvae, are aimed primarily at the animal nutrition market. Entosystem's ecologically responsible approach positions it as a key player in the circular agriculture economy, emphasizing sustainability and the recuperation of nutritional value from waste. The company currently employs a small team of six people.

P&P Optica

Series B in 2021
P&P Optica Inc. is a food processing solutions company located in Waterloo Ontario, Canada. What was once a prominently research driven company has now expanded out into the fields of industrial process solutions with their innovative array of chemical imaging spectrometers. PPO provides industrial application solutions in the Food processing industry, and other similar industries to: Increase food safety: through detection of foreign materials (such as plastics).

Chickapea

Series C in 2021
Chickapea is a pasta product made entirely from organic chickpeas and lentils. They also offer a food service line for restaurants, schools, hospitals, and etc. By focusing on plant-based proteins they are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve their fresh-water stores, reduce deforestation and clean air. Chickapea also provides a nutritious, convenient and familiar meal option to families dealing with time constraints, picky eaters, allergies and health issues. Their mission is to make healthy eating simple, convenient and delicious by reinventing comfort foods with only nutritious, organic ingredients. Chickapea was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada.

Fody Food

Venture Round in 2020
Fody Food creates a delicious, gut-friendly, low FODMAP foods. They believe that nothing should hinder freedom – especially not food. Through their delicious low FODMAP foods and recipes, they provide people much-needed relief from their IBS symptoms. Fody Food was in 2016 and is based in Montreal, Quebec.

Mother Raw

Series A in 2020
Mother Raw is a line of plant-powered dressings, marinades, dips, condiments and quesos.

Love Good Fats

Venture Round in 2020
Love Good is the manufacturer of delicious new snack bars! Made with healthy and good fats, low sugar.

Chickapea

Venture Round in 2019
Chickapea is a pasta product made entirely from organic chickpeas and lentils. They also offer a food service line for restaurants, schools, hospitals, and etc. By focusing on plant-based proteins they are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve their fresh-water stores, reduce deforestation and clean air. Chickapea also provides a nutritious, convenient and familiar meal option to families dealing with time constraints, picky eaters, allergies and health issues. Their mission is to make healthy eating simple, convenient and delicious by reinventing comfort foods with only nutritious, organic ingredients. Chickapea was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada.

P&P Optica

Venture Round in 2019
P&P Optica Inc. is a food processing solutions company located in Waterloo Ontario, Canada. What was once a prominently research driven company has now expanded out into the fields of industrial process solutions with their innovative array of chemical imaging spectrometers. PPO provides industrial application solutions in the Food processing industry, and other similar industries to: Increase food safety: through detection of foreign materials (such as plastics).

Pyrowave

Venture Round in 2018
Pyrowave Inc. is a Canadian company that specializes in advanced recycling technology solutions, utilizing microwave-based chemical processes to convert post-consumer and post-industrial plastics into high-value liquid products. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Oakville, the company employs a patented high-power microwave catalytic depolymerization technology, which restores plastics to their molecular state, indistinguishable from virgin materials. This innovative approach facilitates the infinite recycling of plastics, addressing the growing need for sustainable waste management. Pyrowave serves a diverse clientele, including municipal clients, private recyclers, and generators, by leasing its recycling machines and providing the resultant products from its processing operations.

SOL Cuisine

Venture Round in 2018
Sol Cuisine Inc. is a Canadian company based in Mississauga, specializing in the manufacturing of vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, and organic frozen and fresh meat alternatives. Founded in 1980, the company offers a diverse range of products, including fattoush salad, horseradish aioli, vegan chipotle aioli, lemon dill aioli, vegan maki, the ultimate vegan poutine, and savory morning swirls. Committed to using local and environmentally sustainable ingredients, Sol Cuisine focuses on delivering delicious and high-quality foods that cater to health-conscious consumers.