A Scottish food start-up has relaunched with ambitious growth plans after receiving support from Business Gateway.
Canny Mushrooms, founded by Joanna Davies, produces premium tinned mushrooms designed to deliver bold flavours in a convenient, sustainable and nutritious format.
The business idea was born during Joanna’s time spent working in tech as a project manager, which included living in Boston in the United States. Inspired by the popularity of high-quality tinned fish products, she identified an opportunity for an equivalent offering using mushrooms.
The concept combined her interest in sustainability with a desire to create something tangible and useful – providing consumers with versatile, flavour-packed ingredients that can be added to meals or enjoyed as standalone snacks.
Following extensive travel across the Americas, where she tested the idea with fellow travellers and refined the concept, Joanna returned to Scotland determined to bring the product to life. Early-stage development included working with the Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation (SCFDI) at Queen Margaret University to test the technical feasibility of preserving mushrooms in tins. Encouraging results led to the launch of Canny Mushrooms last summer, with products initially sold at Edinburgh Stockbridge and Leith markets, as well as independent delis and retailers.
Business Gateway provided early-stage guidance to help shape the business. Working with adviser, Jemma Dommershuizen, Joanna developed a business plan and cashflow forecast, while also accessing practical tools and templates to support decision-making. This foundational support helped turn the initial idea into a viable commercial operation.
Further assistance included accessing a start-up grant from the City of Edinburgh Council, as well as expert support through the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service. This enabled Joanna to review production processes, identify inefficiencies and implement improvements to reduce costs and increase output capacity. She also participated in workshops and networking opportunities, helping to build valuable connections and develop her knowledge across areas such as marketing and finance.
After six months of trading, Joanna paused operations to refine the product and improve manufacturing efficiency. Canny Mushrooms has now relaunched, with Joanna set to scale operations and expand distribution across the UK.
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Joanna Davies, founder, Canny Mushrooms, said: “Canny Mushrooms came from a simple idea – to create something as convenient and flavourful as tinned fish, but using mushrooms in a way that’s sustainable and versatile. It’s been a journey of testing, learning and refining, and the relaunch marks an exciting new chapter where I can really start to scale the business.
“Business Gateway has been a great support from the very beginning. Having someone to sense-check ideas, provide structure and point me towards funding and expert advice has made a huge difference, especially in those early stages when everything feels new.”
Jemma Dommershuizen, Business Gateway adviser, said: “It has been a pleasure to support Joanna on her business journey so far. Through her determination and willingness to learn, she has built solid foundations for business growth. I am very much looking forward to seeing Canny Mushrooms expand its reach as the business relaunches and scales.”
