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COOK-UP is a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to nourishing early-stage food entrepreneurs, primarily from marginalized communities, to launch and scale businesses that have a transformative impact on our communities.

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Entrepreneurs from marginalized communities face disproportionately higher barriers to entry into the market. COOK-UP works to address these barriers by unlocking the potential of talented entrepreneurs to contribute to their communities.

 

Our vision is to build an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports the needs of entrepreneurs from marginalized communities, including women, linguistic minorities, the LGBTQI community and the newcomer and immigrant communities. We strive to build successful food businesses and foster economic stability, improve food access, create jobs and strengthen our local food system.

Our Services

We are committed to excellence in everything we do. Our services include access to affordable kitchen space, pre- and post- launch entrepreneurship coaching, support with securing market opportunities, and a growing ecosystem of peers, mentors, and industry experts who are invested in supporting you and your business.

FUNDING PARTNERS

Logo of Community Foundations of Canada with an element composed of a dozen colourful shapes, all moving together in harmony.
Logo of Canadian Women's Foundation with red, blue, yellow and purple element.
Logo of Libro Credit Union in blue text accompanied with icon of green (land), blue (water), and yellow (sun) elements.
Logo of Windsor Essex Community Foundation featuring blue and green text, with design of three human figures forming a tree.
Logo of equality fund with black text and a black rectangle icon featuring a semi-circle on top.
Logo of Verge Capital featuring the text 'VERGE' with a multicoloured check mark or abstract icon above it.
Logos of the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada. 'Community Services.'

COOK-UP is supported by the Government of Canada’s Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative and the Tropicana Community Services.

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