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Organizational Goal
Protein Industries Canada is an industry-led, not-for-profit organization dedicated to positioning Canada as a global leader in plant-based food, feed, and ingredients. As one of Canada's five Global Innovation Clusters, it collaborates with private-sector partners, government, and academia to co-invest in projects that accelerate innovation and competitiveness in the plant protein sector.
As the lead organization in Canada’s plant-based protein innovation, Protein Industries Canada (PIC) supports a diverse ecosystem of high-growth startups working to transform the future of food. But to truly scale the industry’s impact, these emerging companies needed more than technical innovation—they needed leadership capacity, business acumen, and a shared network of strategic thinkers. PIC partnered with Ivey Business School to develop a program that would grow the next generation of sector leaders, promote inclusive leadership, and drive innovation across the value chain.
Solution
Together, PIC and Ivey designed the Accelerate Leadership Program—an eight-month hybrid experience tailored to entrepreneurs and SMEs in the plant-based protein sector. The program combines in-person and virtual learning, executive coaching, business fundamentals, and leadership development. Through action learning projects, simulations, and one-on-one coaching, participants gain real-world tools to navigate rapid growth, investor conversations, supply chain design, and team leadership. Each cohort brings together leaders from across Canada, building sector-wide insight and community in an emerging industry.
Impact
Since launching, Accelerate has built a pipeline of agile, connected leaders—fueling both business growth and industry collaboration.
Result |
Data Point |
Participant Voice |
| Leadership Growth | 97% satisfaction score | “The program helped guide my strategic thinking and shifted how I engage with investors.” — Todd Patterson, Big Mountain Foods |
| Stronger Teams | Companies report better internal alignment and team communication | "Our entire team went through the program—it’s been a game-changer.” — Caroline Hui, Lucent BioSciences |
| Peer Networking | 76% of participants recommend the program | “The cohort became a value-chain network. We still collaborate across the country.” — Kanagaraj Selvraj, More Than Protein Ingredients |
| Industry Impact | Multiple companies reinvest by sending more leaders | “Participants are using this experience to scale their startups and foster real change.” — Kassandra Quayle, CFO, Protein Industries Canada |
Now with several successful cohorts, the program is helping Canada's agri-tech entrepreneurs become not just innovative founders—but strategic, confident leaders shaping the future of food. To learn more about the learning partnership between Ivey and Protein Industries Canada, download the full case and enter your information to get in contact with our team.
- Strategy
- Leadership
- Innovation
- Not-for-Profit
- Entrepreneurship
- Operations
