Experience Toronto’s signature event for small business owners and entrepreneurs. This year’s Small Business Forum takes place at Meridian Hall and focuses on the food and beverage industry. The event features:
Admission is free and registration is required.
10 a.m. Onstage
Gain valuable insights from Tara Tomulka, a nutritionist and founder of Rawcology, a family-owned snack food manufacturer offering organic, low-sugar and allergy-friendly snacks sold at more than 1500 locations, including Loblaws, Sobeys and Farm Boy.
Tomulka trained at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition and taught George Brown College’s Raw Vegan Food course and Vegetarian Culinary Arts program. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University and a Master of Communication Management degree from the University of Southern California.
Location: Main Level
9:45 a.m.
Join the City of Toronto in opening the Small Business Forum 2024 with welcoming remarks and announcements.
10 a.m.
Enjoy the keynote by Tara Tomulka, Founder of Rawcology.
10:25 a.m.
Join dignitaries and special guests to get the latest updates and announcements about the Toronto and Ontario food sector.
Speaker: The Honourable Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business
10:55 a.m.
Explore the strategies, challenges and considerations involved in scaling up and expanding a small food business.
Moderator: Judy Wong, Program Advisor, YSpace, York University
Panellists:
11:25 a.m.
Calling all emerging women climate leaders and entrepreneurs in the food industry. Learn how the City of Toronto’s Women4ClimateTO Mentorship Program can provide networking, mentorship, collaborative learning and up to $30,000 in financial support to help you advance your climate initiative in areas such as food security, green roofs, deep energy retrofits, waste diversion and more. Hear about past participant successes and how to apply for the next program cycle at the Live Green Toronto booth. Online applications open on October 30.
11:30 a.m.
Find out what’s stirring in the food industry as panellists explore the latest research and emerging trends. This discussion covers planet-friendly products, innovative production methods and cutting-edge technology. Learn from experts about the advancements shaping the future of food.
Moderator: Tara Tomulka, Founder & CEO, Rawcology
Panellists:
Noon to 1 p.m.
Snacks and drinks are available for purchase from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at concessions on the Main and Mezzanine Levels of Meridian Hall.
1 p.m.
Return to the stage for a lively afternoon session.
1:20 p.m.
Unpack the excitement as six founders of Toronto’s up-and-coming consumer-packaged goods food (CPG) businesses pitch their business ideas to a food expert jury. Each entrepreneur will compete to win exciting prizes, including the chance for $5,000 grant funding as part of the next Starter Company Plus Food Entrepreneurship cohort, a booth at the 2025 Restaurants Canada Show and more.
Get ready to be wowed by the next generation of CPG food industry visionaries.
Introducer: Andrea Hazel, M.P.P.
Finalists:
Judges:
2:10 p.m.
Uncover innovative new ways to run your food business with this informative panel discussion that explores how to establish a food business both at home and online. From regulatory requirements and food safety to sourcing certified commercial kitchens and scaling up, this panel provides food entrepreneurs with the ultimate tips for success.
Moderator: Michelle Kienitz Henderson, Manager, Business Development, George Brown College’s Food Innovation & Research Studio (FIRSt)
Panellists:
2:45 p.m.
Learn about how marketcityTO can help get your food business into one of more than 130 diverse public markets in Toronto. From neighbourhood-based community markets to farmers’ markets and bazaars, there is so much to learn about this initiative and the City of Toronto’s Public Markets Action Plan.
Speaker: Marina Queirolo, Founder, marketcityTO
3:05 p.m.
Learn about the diverse funding options available for food businesses, from bank loans to venture capital. Experts share insights on accessing capital, navigating funding opportunities and maximizing financial resources for sustainable growth.
Moderator: Eric Wood, Food Entrepreneurship Consultant; Director of Growth and Partnership, Branding & Buzzing; Former Head of Partnerships, Venturepark Labs
Panellists:
3:45 p.m.
Find out who won Toronto’s Next Great Packaged Food Business pitch competition at this highly anticipated announcement, which concludes this year’s Small Business Forum.
Location: Lower Level
Get answers to your burning questions from knowledgeable experts in a wide range of topics. Browse the mentors by topic below.
10:30 to 11:35 a.m. Shantae Cunningham, Owner, Cobella Financial
11:40 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Michael Yasny, President, Money Consultants Ltd.
1:45 to 2:50 p.m. Fayza Abdallaoui, Founder, Prosperities Inc.
2:55 to 4 p.m. Joanna Brzozowska, Senior Account Manager, Agricultural Banking, Southwestern Ontario, Desjardins
10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. & 1:45 to 4 p.m. Kevin Lurkhur & Andrea Di Matteo, Managers, Business Licensing & Regulatory Services, Municipal Licensing & Standards, City of Toronto
10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. & 1:45 to 4 p.m. Rajesh Benny and staff, Toronto Public Health, City of Toronto
10:30 to 11:35 a.m. Mary Freij, Founder, Mazeh Catering
11:40 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Jana Ray, Executive Director, Food Trucks Association of Canada
1:45 to 2:50 p.m. Mackenzie Peck, Project Lead, Food Trucks Association of Canada
2:55 to 4 p.m. Jason Lambert, Operations Manager, Food Trucks Association of Canada
10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Michael Wolfson, Food and Beverage Sector Specialist
1:45 to 4 p.m. Richard Baker, President and Founder, Food Distribution Guy
10:30 to 11:35 a.m. Prince Kumar, Chief Executive Partner, StraNexus Inc.
11:40 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. BK Sethi, President, B K Sethi Marketing Ltd.
1:45 to 2:50 p.m. Janel Matheson, VP, Jonluca Neal
2:55 to 4 p.m. Sarah Sekalala, Owner, Siika Foods
10:30 to 11:35 a.m. Kellina Powell, Founder, Kellina Empowerment Inc.
11:40 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Dana Daniels, Founder & CEO, Blue Sky Learning
1:45 to 2:50 p.m. Celia Lopez, Founder, Placemade
2:55 to 4 p.m. Laura Jackson, Owner, Paradigm Joy
10:30 to 11:35 a.m. Kerry Harris, Founder, ReBoot Consulting Group
11:40 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Minoo Mahdavian, Content Creator, MinooMakesStuff
1:45 to 2:50 p.m. Kabir Chaudhry, VP of Marketing, BizSold
2:55 to 4 p.m. Danielle Wintrip, Founder, Wintrip Communications
10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Veniese George, Founder, YAWDI’S
1:45 to 2:50 p.m. Michael Mosuwaifo, Owner, House of Tigernut
2:55 to 4 p.m. Maria Albanese, Co-Founder, Siip Broth
10:30 to 11:35 a.m. Alexandra Moore, CEO & Lead Strategist, Coach House Marketing Inc.
11:40 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Zavosh Zaboliyan, Serial Entrepreneur and Investor
1:45 to 2:50 p.m. Angad Sandhu, CEO, Stylite Consultancy
2:55 to 4 p.m. Nowrid Amin, TEDx Speaker & Entrepreneur
10:30 to 11:35 a.m. Susan Ng, IRCC W2W Program Manager, Newcomer Kitchen
11:40 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Bookie Adekanye, Agrifood Program Officer, YSpace, York University
1:45 to 2:50 p.m. Stella Antonio, General Manager, Venturepark Labs
2:55 to 4 p.m. Marie Fitrion, Project Manager, Foodpreneur Lab
10:30 to 11:35 a.m. Ryan Lee, Founder, Chachalate
11:40 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Audrey McDonald, Owner, The Greenhouse Eatery
1:45 to 4 p.m. Rhonda Teitel-Payne, Coordinator, Toronto Urban Growers
Location: Main & Mezzanine Levels
Discover a smörgåsbord of goods and services providers and find the missing ingredient for your business at the following trade booths:
