Opportunity to expand in North America – visit Saskatoon in July to learn more

A new initiative from our friends in Saskatoon, Canada offers agri-tech companies an opportunity to expand in North America. There is to be a fact-finding trip in the summer to explore fit within the ecosystem.

The Global Agri-Food Advancement Partnership (GAAP) and Ag-West Bio incubation model aims to support companies that have ‘tangible technologies’ applicable to the North American agri-food and agriculture industries.

The new initiative NAVIGATE  is an accelerator that offers equity investment of up to $2 million and long-term incubation space in Saskatoon, within a vibrant cluster of progressive growers and industry players.

Saskatoon boasts a concentration of research activity in agriculture, including for both crop and veterinary at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and the Institute for Global Food Security. There is also an agri-tech cluster around “Innovation Place” – a technology park home to 20 buildings and infrastructure such as glasshouses which are available for tenant companies to use.

The team at GAAP also provides brokerage with industry leaders and potential partners to help early-stage companies to scale.

Visit Canada in the Summer

Grayson Berting, Marketing & Communications Manager for GAAP, says: “We’re looking at start-ups that have a tangible technology with relevance to our market and a potential interest to expand in North America.

“We will cover the cost of travel for companies to visit Saskatchewan this summer to explore potential for a longer-term investment.”

Agri-TechE director Dr Belinda Clarke says: “There are many synergies between the UK and Canadian agriculture systems. This type of  programme offers companies the opportunity to scale, which is essential if their technology is to become affordable to farmers and widely adopted.

“Our relationship with GAAP goes back several years and many companies have benefited from the association. Creating these international networks, that our members can tap into when they need them, takes away much of the pain and risk of expanding into new geographies.”

Profile at Ag in Motion 

Drone Ag is one of Agri-TechE ’s members that have participated in the GAAP incubation programme and attended Ag in Motion, Western Canada’s largest outdoor farm expo.

Ag in Motion takes place every July at Discovery Farm Langham, northwest of Saskatoon, SK. It showcases technology and live demonstrations each year on 100 acres of the Discovery Farm site.

To apply

To apply for the summer mission contact Agri-TechE

The deadline is May 10 2023.

Benefits of participation include

The summer mission to Saskatoon includes participation in the Ag in Motion July 18-20 2023.

• Mitigates the risk of expansion

• Creates connections with farmers to understand the challenges, also with investors, industry and research members across the ecosystem
• Industry exposure – speak in front of potential customers, investors and collaborators at Ag in Motion
• Training and tours to partner facilities

Eligibility includes: –

• tangible technology applicable to the Canadian farming industry
• fully incorporated for-profit legal entity
• no less than 3 full-time employees, one of which must be technical
• Have issued or pending IP
• Be past the proof-of-concept phase with a demonstrable product or prototype
• Have near-term capacity to consider expanding business operations to Saskatchewan

More about GAAP