Freshr Sustainable Technologies Inc. (Freshr) Closes Oversubscribed Seed Round

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Freshr proudly announces an oversubscribed seed funding round, thanks to investments by Invest Nova Scotia, Diamond Edge Ventures, Nàdarra Ventures, BDC’s Climate Tech Fund, and Blue Tide Capital Ventures.

Freshr, a Canadian innovator in sustainable active packaging, is revolutionizing the fresh protein industry—starting with fresh fish—by extending shelf life and reducing food waste. With global food waste contributing to $2.6 trillion in annual economic losses and 10% of total greenhouse gas emissions, Freshr’s technology offers a crucial solution with both environmental and economic benefits.

At the core of Freshr’s innovation is FreshrPack™, a proprietary coating made from naturally derived ingredients that inhibits spoilage bacteria and extends freshness. This advanced coating can be chemically immobilized onto various packaging films, including compostable, post-consumer recycled, and recyclable materials. Designed to integrate seamlessly across the fresh food supply chain, FreshrPack™ is available in three formats—Sheet, Roll, and Bag—to meet the diverse needs of industry stakeholders.

“It is extremely validating that this round was oversubscribed. We recognize the impact and influence of these investors and acknowledge the immense value in having investors who share our drive for global impact. They are critical to the company's strategic growth,” articulated Mina Mekhail, CEO and Founder.

Invest Nova Scotia led this round of investment and had the following to say about why they chose to invest for a third time: “Freshr has developed a novel technology with substantial potential for reducing food waste on a global scale,” says Jen Fuccillo, Investment Principal, Invest Nova Scotia. “By extending the shelf-life of fresh proteins, Freshr’s solution lowers the environmental impact of the food industry, extends freshness to enhance the quality of the food being consumed, and provides suppliers with precious extra time to reach market – all without added ingredients. This is a powerful value proposition.”

“Food waste and food insecurity are pressing global challenges, and tackling them is central to Nàdarra’s investment thesis,” notes Malcolm Fraser, Managing Partner of Nàdarra Ventures. “Freshr’s naturally derived active packaging technology significantly extends the shelf life of high-value proteins, ensuring safer, fresher food while reducing waste at every stage of the supply chain. By solving this issue in a new way, Freshr is not only cutting economic and social losses but also reshaping the future of sustainable food packaging. We’re excited to support Mina and the Freshr team as they bring this breakthrough technology to market.”

This round of investment will enable Freshr to ramp up manufacturing, convert existing partnerships into early revenue, expand its presence globally, and strengthen the team’s business and engineering expertise.

Curtis Schickner, President of Diamond Edge Ventures, observes, “We believe that the future of packaging lies in smart, sustainable solutions that extend food freshness while reducing environmental impact. Freshr’s cutting-edge approach to active and sustainable food packaging aligns with Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s emphasis on minimizing food loss throughout the supply chain. We look forward to supporting Freshr as they scale their technology and bring active food packaging to market.”

“More than one third of all fresh proteins are wasted, either in transport or on retail shelves,” says Matt Stanley, BDC’s Climate Tech Fund. “With Freshr’s innovative, low-cost, and drop-in antibacterial coating and active packaging technology, it can reduce spoilage of fresh proteins across the supply chain, thereby reducing the amount of organic waste. By minimizing food waste, Freshr is helping to build a better and more sustainable food chain."

About Freshr

Freshr Sustainable Technologies is a Canadian company that develops sustainable active packaging solutions to extend the shelf life of fresh proteins. Our purpose is to innovate a zero-food waste future using advanced materials. Our vision for 2030 is to redefine the fresh protein sector globally by delivering 500 million pounds of fresh proteins using our innovative shelf-extension FreshrPack™ technology. For a closer look into our innovative solutions, and commitment to a brighter waste-free future, visit www.freshr.tech.