Agtech Accelerator wins a 2021 Saskatchewan Economic Development Award of Excellence

The Saskatchewan Economic Development Awards of Excellence (SEDA) recognize the province’s best economic development projects, programs, and partnerships that honour communities, organizations, and/or individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, rural, and First Nations communities. We’re proud that SEDA has recognized the impact and contribution that the Agtech Accelerator will have on the global agriculture sector.

Economic Development Regina (EDR), Cultivator powered by Conexus, and Emmertech, have partnered together to accelerate the cultivation of agtech through the launch of an Agtech Accelerator that will help early-stage agtech start-ups grow, and scale their agtech businesses. Through key community partnerships, this project aims to create an unrivaled experience and value-add for founders, investors, and partners while solidifying Saskatchewan as a global agtech hub and changing the face of agtech around the world, right here in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Why Regina?

The Greater Regina Area’s (GRA) competitive advantage includes some of the largest anchor businesses in processing as well as equipment manufacturing, not to mention that the GRA is also home to numerous businesses critical to the agriculture and food sector like Farm Credit Canada, Brandt Industries, the Mosaic Company. The region also boasts world-class infrastructure and logistic supports like the Global Transportation Hub and the Chuka Creek Intermodal Park. Last, but certainly not least, Regina is surrounded some of the best producers in the world and 80% of Canada’s farmland.

Capitalizing on this opportunity, the Agtech Accelerator planted roots in the GRA and quickly attracted community and international partners to help develop a robust incubator program. A high-performance accelerator needs to provide impactful programming, access to capital, and key industry connections. Through the partnership of Emmertech (capital), EDR (industry), and Cultivator (programming) we have the key ingredients to cultivate Canada’s Agtech sector.

EDR, Cultivator and Emmertech have partnered with a variety of local, national, and international entities – from Saskatchewan’s post-secondary institutions to InnovateUK in Europe – all looking to accelerate game-changing ag innovation. These new partnerships have yielded new opportunities for the Agtech Accelerator that would not otherwise have been possible.

As with many other industries, technology is driving global agriculture forward. The future relies on collaboration, innovation, and the ability to leverage our strengths and become leaders who drive a sustainable future here at home, across the country, and around the world.

The founding partners in the Agtech Accelerator are thrilled to accept this award, which recognizes community engagement and involvement, original and innovative approach to achieving project goals, and for the impact it will have not just in Regina but around the world.

Learn more about the Agtech Accelerator here: www.cultivator.ca/programs/agtech-accelerator.