Regina, Saskatchewan, September 21, 2023 – Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is pleased to announce a new financial commitment in the development of agriculture startups through a partnership with Saskatchewan-based AGTECH ACCELERATOR, a venture-backed accelerator program founded by Cultivator powered by Conexus, Emmertech, and Economic Development Regina (EDR).
FCC is committed to supporting the innovative technology that will shape the future of the Canadian agriculture and food industry. Through AGTECH ACCELERATOR startups can receive the capital and mentorship to bring to market the systems, machines and data producers are looking for as they advance their own operations to meet the growing needs of sustainable food production.
“Providing financial support to AGTECH ACCELERATOR is a natural fit for FCC’s venture capital program. Investing in our customers goes beyond day-to-day lending to include planning for a future that will fully realize the benefits of innovations in areas like digital agriculture and technology,” said Rebbecca Clarke, Vice-President of FCC’s venture capital program. “With support from AGTECH ACCELERATOR, Canadian entrepreneurs can grow and scale with greater strength.”
The work of the AGTECH ACCELERATOR program highlights the value of investing in these early-stage innovations to foster the development of strong companies in Canadian agriculture and food.
“Partnerships are a key part of the success of AGTECH ACCELERATOR. We are very happy to have the support of FCC whose sole business is connected to supporting the agriculture and food industry,” said Bre Walkeden, Cultivator powered by Conexus Community and Partners Manager. “Together we can bring forward innovative projects that position Saskatchewan and Canada as a highly sought-after source of technology, tools and practices that will solve challenges and create opportunities for the agriculture and food industry.”
FCC is Canada’s leading agriculture and food lender, dedicated to the industry that feeds the world. FCC employees are committed to the long-standing success of those who produce and process Canadian food by providing flexible financing, AgExpert business management software, information and knowledge. FCC provides a complement of expertise and services designed to support the complex and evolving needs of food businesses. As a financial Crown corporation, FCC is a stable partner that reinvests profits back into the industry and communities it serves. For more information, visit fcc.ca.
Launched in 2021 and founded by Cultivator powered by Conexus (Cultivator), Economic Development Regina (EDR) and Emmertech (agtech focused venture capital fund), the AGTECH ACCELERATOR provides the resources, programming and funding agtech companies need to help them scale their companies. The AGTECH ACCELERATOR is venture-capital-backed, meaning each Canadian company selected to participate in the yearly cohort will receive a $100,000 equity investment at intake - a first for an accelerator in Saskatchewan and Canada. To learn more about the AGTECH ACCELERATOR, visit Cultivator.ca/agtech