Toolkit for Food Entrepreneurs

 

Startup

Start your entrepreneurial adventure by solidifying your ideas through in-depth market research. Develop a detailed business plan, secure necessary financing, and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.

Conducting a Market Study

An effective market study is essential for entrepreneurial success. It involves:

  • In-depth customer analysis
  • Identifying market opportunities
  • Recognizing emerging trends

This information helps you develop marketing strategies and products aligned with market needs. A precise market study is fundamental to guiding your decisions and fostering your company’s growth.

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Developing a Business Plan

A detailed business plan is crucial to bringing your entrepreneurial vision to life. This strategic document should:

  • Articulate a unique value proposition
  • Define measurable objectives
  • Present realistic financial forecasts

It acts as a roadmap for your business development and a key communication tool to attract investors. A well-designed business plan is vital for effective management and can be a decisive factor in a startup’s success.

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Staying Compliant with Regulations

Incorporating your business is a key step that affects its legal and tax structure. A well-considered business registration is essential to support your long-term goals and simplify daily operations. Depending on your objectives and growth projections, you will need to choose between:

  • A limited liability company (LLC)

  • Full incorporation

This decision impacts the protection of your assets, your business credibility, and your expansion opportunities.

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Enregistré vs Incorporé

Obtaining a tax number is crucial for any new business. It is indispensable for managing GST/HST and other taxes and plays a key role in tax registration. A tax number is necessary to:

  • Open a business bank account

  • Officially invoice clients and suppliers

  • Gain credibility and build trust with partners

Meeting your tax obligations from the start is essential for establishing a strong and credible business.

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Obtaining the appropriate business permits from the outset is essential to ensure regulatory compliance and avoid legal complications. Whether for general business licenses or sector-specific authorizations, each element is critical.

This process—requiring verification and documentation—demonstrates your professionalism and reassures clients and partners about your company’s legitimacy.

In the food sector, permits are issued by MAPAQ (Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec).

Permits – Food Processing and Distribution

https://www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/fr/Transformation/md/Permis/Pages/Permis-transfo.aspx

Permits – Restaurants and Retail Sales
https://www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/fr/Restauration/md/Permis/Pages/prepvente.aspx

Permits – Public Markets and Trade Shows

Public markets: commercial requirements for agricultural producers.

Resources:

Entrepreneur's Toolkit

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Startup

Startup

Start your entrepreneurial adventure by solidifying your ideas through in-depth market research. Develop a detailed business plan, secure necessary financing, and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.

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Production and Product Development

Production and Product Development

Refine your offering by developing safe, appealing, and compliant products. Master hygiene and food safety standards, standardize your recipes, select appropriate packaging, and ensure regulatory-compliant labeling. This stage also includes finding potential subcontractors or co-packers.

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Management and Sales

Management and Sales

Steer your business with clarity and efficiency to ensure profitability. Define your cost of goods sold, develop a solid financing strategy, and implement a tailored marketing plan to grow your sales consistently.

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Marketing and Promotion

Marketing and Promotion

Make your product shine with a strong brand image and an engaging online presence. Build your visual identity, grow a community, animate your social media and website, and don’t hesitate to attend trade shows or public markets to boost your visibility.

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Marketing in Quebec

Marketing in Quebec

Structure your go-to-market strategy to align with the realities of the Quebec territory. Determine your production capacity, target the right channels (retailers, institutions...), prepare your product sheets, and ensure compliance with certifications and claims required to sell legally.

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Human Resources

Human Resources

Build a strong and committed team from the early stages of your project. Learn about current laws, plan your labor needs, recruit the right people, provide training, and create an environment conducive to employee retention.

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Certifications and Claims

Certifications and Claims

Demystify certifications and claims in the field of food processing to make the best choices for your project. Discover various labels such as MSC, ASC, B-Corp, Organic, Gluten-Free... Understand their criteria, obligations, and added value.

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Export Marketing

Export Marketing

Prepare your business to cross borders with the right strategy. Review your market study and business plan, find a local distributor or broker, and ensure that your packaging, labeling, nutritional values, and allergens comply with the trade requirements of the target region.

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Testimonials

I am very satisfied with the services offered by CIBÎM, which provides us with great visibility across various platforms to promote our products. The network also allows us to build relationships with other related businesses that can contribute to our growth.

Isabelle Huot - Isabelle Huot compagny

We never imagined that CIBÎM would bring us so much. We’re incredibly happy to have joined this community—they’ve given us so much, and their training programs are extremely relevant. Joining CIBÎM was a turning point for our company. Thank you, CIBÎM!

Frédéric Verville – Floèm compagny

A dynamic team that goes above and beyond to support member businesses!!!

François-Pierre Blain – Globe Protein compagny

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