Welcome to

Food Venture Accelerator

Why Food Venture Accelerator?

Food Venture Accelerator, led by industry experts Kiran Bains and Sima Gandhi, empowers food entrepreneurs with practical guidance to launch and scale successful consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands. 

With years of experience in food business development, they have helped countless startups navigate recipe scaling, regulatory compliance, and retail distribution, transforming small-batch ideas into shelf-ready products.

Their proven strategies have earned praise from partners like the Watertown Oswego SBDC and alumni like Levitated Donuts, showcasing their ability to support diverse food ventures, from food trucks to manufacturing.

Kiran and Sima’s approachable mentorship style ensures every entrepreneur feels supported and confident. Ready to grow your food business? Connect with their team for friendly, expert advice!

Praise and Testimonials

Kendra Wack, MBA, B.Ed.
Executive Director, FEAD
(Female Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food Development)

"Food Venture Program has allowed FEAD Canada to increase our reach and impact our community in a meaningful way. FEAD has run multiple FVP programs, allowing our team to continue on the mission of supporting our members throughout their professional and entrepreneurial journeys. We understand the importance of showcasing relevant expertise in the Food and Beverage sector and FVP continues to bring these experts to the table for the benefit of the small businesses we support."

Tandy Thackeray

Operations, Agriculture & Innovation
SISKIYOU Economic Development

"Siskiyou Economic Development Centre and Siskiyou Farm Co. are pleased to endorse Food Venture Program Inc. for its exceptional support of food entrepreneurs. Their comprehensive approach, combining mentorship, education, and industry insights, has empowered countless startups to grow and thrive in the competitive food market. By providing tailored resources and expert guidance, Food Venture Program Inc. plays a vital role in fostering innovation and sustainability in the food industry. We are confident that our businesses who participated in the 12 Week Bootcamp gained invaluable tools for success. We highly recommend Food Venture Program Inc. for any food business seeking to scale and excel."

Karen P.

Financial Consultant
North Metro, Colorado SBDC

"Excellent education content; I think they covered everything the participants need[ed] to know about bringing a food product to market. I enjoyed the guest speakers throughout the program; I found them very knowledgeable and it was nice to learn from individuals with hands on experience. You could tell they were experts in their field. I liked that the students were able to practice their “pitch” many times and I feel they received valuable, useful feedback."

New Here!

Discover practical tips, expert insights, and success stories to launch and scale your food business.

Have questions? Reach out to experts for personalized guidance on your food venture journey.

Why Food Venture Accelerator

Unleashing Food Ventures with Passion and Precision

What Sets Food Venture Accelerator Apart?

We're not just educators; we're your launchpad to food industry success. At Food Venture Accelerator, formerly Food Venture Program, we transform culinary dreams into thriving retail realities.

Led by Sima Gandhi and Kiran Bains, our team combines deep industry expertise with a no-nonsense, mentorship-driven approach to guide food entrepreneurs from concept to store shelves.

Our programs cut through the complexity of the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) world, offering practical, actionable strategies that empower you to scale recipes, navigate regulations, and secure retail partnerships.

With a track record of empowering startups across North America—from food trucks to national brands—we’re here to help you sidestep pitfalls and seize opportunities.

Our alumni, like Levitated Donuts, and partners, like Watertown Oswego SBDC, rave about our tailored guidance and real-world insights. Ready to make your mark? Let’s cook up something extraordinary together.

Meet the Visionaries Behind Food Venture Accelerator

About Kiran

  • Registered Dietitian and food business growth catalyst
  • Specialist in product development, co-packing, and market positioning
  • Mentor to diverse food ventures, from rural startups to urban innovators
  • Trusted collaborator with SBDCs and economic development centers
  • Master of turning culinary vision into profitable reality

Kiran Bains is a force of nature in the food entrepreneurship space, blending her expertise as a Registered Dietitian with a razor-sharp focus on product development and market success.

Known for her ability to transform kitchen-tested recipes into scalable, retail-ready products, Kiran has empowered entrepreneurs across North America to conquer the CPG market.

Her work with organizations like Siskiyou Economic Development Centre and her mentorship of brands like those in the 12-Week Bootcamp showcase her ability to deliver results.

Kiran’s approach is direct, supportive, and fiercely practical. She’s the guide who knows exactly what retailers and distributors want and how to get your product there.

With a warm, older-sister vibe, she balances tough love with encouragement, helping you refine your brand, optimize production, and pitch with confidence.

Kiran’s strategic foresight and deep industry knowledge make her a catalyst for turning your food vision into a profitable, sustainable business.

About Sima

  • Food industry strategist and mentor extraordinaire
  • Expert in recipe scaling, regulatory compliance, and retail strategy
  • Champion of food entrepreneurs, from startups to established brands
  • Trusted advisor for organizations like Food & Beverage Manitoba
  • Passionate advocate for sustainable food innovation

Sima Gandhi is a powerhouse in the food industry, known for her ability to turn small-batch recipes into market-ready successes.

With a sharp focus on regulatory compliance and retail strategy, she’s guided countless entrepreneurs through the maze of CFIA and FDA requirements, ensuring their products are both safe and shelf-ready. 

Her strategic mind and hands-on approach have earned her praise from industry leaders like Dana McCauley, former Executive Director of Toronto Food Starter Incubator.

Sima’s style is all about clarity and impact. She’s the mentor who rolls up her sleeves, digs into your challenges, and delivers solutions with a warm, no-nonsense vibe.

Whether she’s helping a food truck owner scale their signature sauce or coaching a brand for national distribution, Sima’s knack for simplifying complex processes makes her an invaluable partner.

Her infectious passion for food innovation inspires entrepreneurs to dream big and execute with precision, all while fostering sustainable growth.

From Kitchen to Market: Your Journey Starts Here

The food industry is tough, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Food Venture Accelerator, we’ve seen the chaos of launching a food product—and we’ve mastered the art of making it manageable.

Whether you’re a restaurant owner eyeing retail or a startup dreaming of national shelves, our proven framework, built on years of real-world success, will guide you every step of the way.

Sima and Kiran have walked the path you’re on, helping entrepreneurs avoid costly mistakes and unlock their potential.

With their leadership, Food Venture Accelerator isn’t just a program—it’s a community of innovators ready to reshape the food industry. Join us, and let’s turn your food venture into a legacy.

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