AGTECH ACCELERATOR Cohort 3 Kick-off Week
We kicked off our third cohort in the AGTECH ACCELERATOR program, March 11 through 14!
We were excited to gather 15 of the most innovative and high-growth agtech companies from across Canada and the UK in Regina, reaffirming Saskatchewan’s position as a global hub for agtech investment, commercialization, and job creation during our Kick-off Week for our AGTECH ACCELERATOR.
We had a jam-packed week for these founders and ensured that their week in Regina was one to remember. Our AGTECH ACCELERATOR Cohort 3 companies were fully immersed in events, workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities. As a result, they gained new learnings, identified next steps for their companies, and developed valuable connections.
Check out the highlights of what these world-class founders were up to during their kickoff week in Regina…
Day 1
Following a kick-off to the week and a Financing Workshop hosted by Emmertech, we headed straight for one of YQR’s biggest attractions… Mosaic Stadium! The Thrive Wealth Suites, nestled within the vibrant stadium atmosphere, served as a perfect setting for mentor madness; an event where industry experts and agtech gurus from across North America connect. Each founder participated in five 1:1 meetings with mentors that were carefully curated and matched based on individual needs, the market they operate in and the mentors’ expertise. During this time, founders were encouraged to ask questions, collect feedback, and seek advice to guide their next steps in their company.
In the afternoon, founders sat in on a legal session hosted by Osler, a Canadian Business Law Firm, and then received a VIP tour of Mosaic Stadium led by Zach Evans, ex-roughrider and now Sales & Partner Relations Executive with the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club.
At the end of a busy day of mentorship and a many steps around the stadium, the founders stopped at the AGT Lounge. We hosted a ‘Sask Supper’ welcoming partners, supporters, and the community of the AGTECH ACCELERATOR for an intimate dinner to close out day 1. This meal was generously sponsored by our partners at REAL and Canada’s Farm Show.
Day 2
Day 2 came quickly for our founders and turned out to be a big day! Typically March weather in Saskatchewan is quite cool, but with some early spring weather, founders walked over to HQ from Hotel Sask to kick off the day. Building upon an inspiring International Women’s Day, The National Angel Capital Organization (NACO Canada) partnered with us to host a Women in Tech Roundtable.
This roundtable aimed to unlock the potential of women’s leadership in the tech industry by fostering meaningful connections, nurturing professional growth, and providing a platform for the sharing of empowering experiences. We welcomed attendees from our Cultivator companies – START, GROW and SCALE, alongside our Agtech companies and advisory council. Everyone in attendance was treated to a delicious breakfast, coffee, and engaging conversations – creating the perfect setting for collaboration and empowerment. We’re grateful to be partners with The National Angel Capital Organization (NACO Canada), providing a space where voices are heard and celebrated so that together, we can break barriers and build a more inclusive tech ecosystem.
Following the Women in Tech Roundtable, we kept our founders engaged by bringing in speakers who offered valuable learnings. We heard from Todd Ormann from Olds College of Agriculture + Technology, a distinguished figure in Canadian Agriculture for a fireside chat. Dan Schultz, a self-described agribusiness psychotherapist, who helps companies around the world design their category and think differently about how they commercialize their products, spoke on marketing insights. And finally, Jason McNamee, agtech advisory council member and also the Founder, Chief Product Officer, and Senior Biogeoscientist of Lucent BioSciences Inc., shared his story in a founder confidential. These folks kept founders engaged and entertained, while keeping things real and honest.
Our next stop was Roots Kitchen & Bar where we enjoyed a dinner before heading out to put our competitive spirits to a challenge in a game of curling. Our decision to hit the ice coincided perfectly with the 2024 Brier, the esteemed Canadian men’s curling championship, which was unfolding in Regina at the same time. We bussed over to the Caledonian Curling Club to test our skills… and inevitably our balance. After splitting into teams, we rallied through a quick curling bonspiel before calling it a night after another busy day.
Day 3
Megz Reynolds and Blake Weiseth brought the energy on Day 3 in industry roundtables where discussions were had around how founders should approach trends in Agtech, particularly focusing on sustainability and regenerative agriculture and how to best communicate with farmers to gain trust and understanding. Industry roundtables are intimate group sessions gathering industry leaders and producers, carefully crafted to foster candid and engaging conversations with founders. It is an opportunity for founders to get help with their most pressing business needs and questions. What sets the AGTECH ACCELERATOR apart from other programs is our direct connection to industry leaders and producers, ensuring invaluable insights and support for the founders.
Following a tasty brisket lunch from Legacy Catering, founders attended their second session of mentor madness for the week, meeting with more producers and industry experts for 1:1 sessions.
After a full day of programming, it was time for the Community Social hosted at the Hotel Sask! Those in the agtech and general tech community were welcome to attend and hear from the founders themselves about the problems they are solving for the agriculture industry. This also served as a teaser for the founders who are set to pitch their companies on the main stage at Canada’s Farm Show on June 19. Following the founders’ pitches at the Community Social, the evening was filled with cocktails and connections in the Royal Suite at Hotel Sask.
Day 4
We kicked off our 4th and final day with a fireside chat with Damon Johnson, a Cohort 1 agtech founder and a true farming enthusiast who hails from a family seed farm and remains actively involved in its operations. Todd Klink, a seasoned professional with Sask roots who now serves as the Executive VP and CMO at FCC, joined us to shed some light and the significance of empathy, choice and curiosity in leadership. Finally, Murad Al-Katib, the visionary leader behind AGT Foods led a session sharing the story of AGT Foods to provide lessons learned, tips, and inspiration to support founders in their own endeavours.
We closed our time at HQ with a goal setting session hosted by the Cultivator team. Founders took time to reflect on their week and set actionable goals to work towards throughout their time in the program. We wrapped up the week with another founder dinner at Skye Bistro, before heading over to Startup TNT’s Agri-Food: Finale Pitch Night where we heard two of our founders pitch; Logan from AgGene and Greg from Geco Strategic Weed Management. Both AgGene and Geco Strategic Weed Management walked away with side investment deals.
Sending the founders off on the final day was bittersweet. After a long week of “working ON their business, instead of IN their business,” everyone was eager to return to their companies and share what they had learned. It took a lot to pull this kick-off week together. We’re grateful for the partnerships that have supported the mission of accelerating agtech and pushing forward Canadian agtech.
Mark your calendars for June 17-20 as our founders return to Regina for their finale week and hit the stage at Canada’s Farm Show. We look forward to hosting virtual sessions on a variety of topics in the meantime and continuing to support the founders on their journey.
An additional thank you to the following members of our community who took the kickoff experience to another level:
