Calgary, AB | May 13, 2026

VENTUREPARK SUMMIT 2026

Growing Canada’s CPG, Food, Beverage, Health & Wellness Brands

May 13, 2026
8:30am to 4:30pm

Ross Glen Hall - MRU
4825 Mt Royal Gate SW

Join us for a day of learning, connecting, and celebrating Canada's emerging CPG entrepreneurs.

This one-day event is designed for founders of food, beverage, and health & wellness brands, along with the industry experts and service providers who support them. Walk away with actionable insights and valuable industry connections.

SCHEDULE

8:30 AM

Doors open, networking, and light breakfast

9:00 AM

Welcome Message

Start the day with a welcome to Park Summit and opening remarks that set the tone for a day of learning and connections.

Glen Price

President

Venturepark

9:15 AM

Keynote: Helping Entrepreneurs Grow

Hear Mike Fata’s story of going from a struggling entrepreneur to multiple nine-figure exits, including scaling Manitoba Harvest to $100M+ in revenue and selling it for $419M. He’ll share the leadership mindset behind that journey and what it takes to scale and be seen as investible by investors, partners, and customers. Along the way, he will reflect on why entrepreneurship demands resilience, discipline, and the right mindset to build companies that endure.

Expect practical insights on building trust in your brand, navigating challenges, attracting capital, and designing a company that creates lasting value.

Mike Fata

CPG Growth Coach

Helping Entrepreneurs Grow

9:45 AM

Founders’ Forum: Learning How Entrepreneurs Grow

Hear from Mike Fata, Ian Gladue, and Brandon Markiw as they share what it really takes to grow a food & beverage brand. This conversation will explore the challenges, opportunities, and lessons that shape the entrepreneurial journey - from early stages to national growth.

As Venturepark alumni, Ian and Brandon will also share Mitsoh’s path from Sobeys’ local program to national expansion. Moderated by Rob Horricks, Entrepreneur in Residence, Venturepark.

Mike Fata

Founder

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods

Ian Gladue

Founder

Mitsoh

Brandon Markiw

Co-CEO

Mitsoh

Rob Horricks

Executive in Residence

Venturepark

10:30 AM

Venturepark Accelerator: Graduate Brand Pitches

Hear from founders in the 2026 Venturepark Accelerator graduating class as they share quick pitches on the brands they are building.

10:45 AM

Let’s Grow Canada: Expanding Markets in Canada & Beyond

Building a consumer brand in food, beverage, health, and wellness comes with real challenges — and real opportunities. Join Jason Berenstein (District Ventures Capital) and Doug Hewson (FCC Capital), two experienced leaders in entrepreneurship and investment, as they explore growth opportunities within Canada and beyond. The conversation will cover market expansion, navigating uncertainty, and what founders need to know about accessing capital. Moderated by Ted Fleming, Entrepreneur in Residence, Venturepark.

Jason Berenstein

Partner & CFO

District Ventures Capital

Ted Fleming

Founder

Partake Brewing

Douglas Hewson

VP, Investment

FCC

11:45 AM

Venturepark Accelerator: Graduate Brand Pitches

12:00 PM

Lunch Break (lunch included for all registered attendees)

1:00 PM

Retail Success: Strategies for Succeeding on the Shelf

Gary Hughes (Sobeys) Raquel Zein (Safeway), and Logan Derksen, Founder of Simply Cocktails, share what it takes to get on shelf and succeed in Canadian retail. Hear both sides of the equation — from one of Canada's largest grocery retailers and a founder building a brand from the ground up — as they explore getting a buyer's attention, driving in-store performance, and setting up for long-term growth. Moderated by Serene Martin.

Gary Hughes

Local Development Specialist

Sobeys

Raquel Zein

Store Manager

Safeway

Logan Derksen

Founder & CEO

Simply Cocktails

Serene Martin

Director, National Marketing & Business Development

Tree of Life

2:00 PM

Looking Ahead: 2026 Food Market Trends

Jo-Ann McArthur, founder and CEO of Nourish Food Marketing, shares her research-backed insights on the influences shaping the future of the food, beverage, and CPG industries. In this presentation, she will share her expert advice on how emerging brands can leverage the evolution of the Canadian consumer.

Jo-Ann McArthur

President & Founding Partner

Nourish Food Marketing

2:30 PM

Networking Hall

Connect with business service providers, support organisations, and industry partners in the Networking Hall, and meet Accelerator graduates to discover their brands and sample their products.

4:00 PM

Wrap Up

* Speakers, panellists, and schedule are subject to change

SPEAKERS & PANELISTS

MEET THE NETWORKING HALL

WHAT TO EXPECT

Gain Practical Insights from CPG Experts

Learn from founders, operators, and industry experts as they share practical perspectives on the topics that matter most to emerging CPG brands.

Connect with Industry Partners

Meet CPG-focused service providers, business support organisations, and key ecosystem partners in the Networking Hall, including Sobeys’ Local Development Program team.

Celebrate Emerging CPG Brands

Hear from Venturepark Accelerator graduates as they pitch their brands on stage and showcase their products in the Networking Hall. Meet the founders and sample what they are building.