Following the establishment of THRIVE Canada and the launch of their investment and innovation platform in Calgary, Alberta, UFA is excited to be participating in the upcoming Spotlight on Canadian AgriFood Innovation. The event will showcase THRIVE Canada’s inaugural Accelerator Cohort and will bring together a robust network of agribusiness leaders, technology pioneers and investors to exchange insights and identify future market trends accelerating the development of the Canadian Agrifood industry.
Not only is UFA promoting the event, but we are playing a very important role. Janay Meisser, UFA’s Director of Innovation, was invited to be a judge for the very first THRIVE | SVG Canadian Cohort. Meisser joins a prestigious panel of innovators and experts in the innovation ecosphere, and in particular, the ag tech space. “It was an honour to be among such respected professionals in the industry,” says Meisser.
“There were 168 applications for the inaugural THRIVE | SVG Canadian Cohort,” says Meisser. “The applicants are all Canadians start-ups that are pitching for the opportunity to participate in the Canadian Cohort. The judging panel had the opportunity to hear from the semi-finalists, 22 Canadian ag-tech start-ups, that pitched solutions in the automation, disease, pest control, precision agriculture, farm management, novel foods, and innovative technology areas. “It was a privilege to judge some very talented teams and technology, the winners will be revealed at the upcoming Spotlight on Canadian AgriFood Innovation event.”
“The Canadian Accelerator Cohort is an exciting next step into the innovation space for UFA as we work with THRIVE |SVG on identifying the challenges of our members and where we might be able to facilitate that connection with start-ups that offer a solution,” adds Meisser.
The virtual event is open to the public and takes place on January 27, 2022. Along with revealing the winning Canadian Start-ups that will form the inaugural Canadian Cohort, the event will also feature prominent keynote speakers including the Honorable Marie Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and AgriFood; Laura Kilcrease, CEO, Alberta Innovates; Alison Sunstrum, General Partner, Food and AgTech Fund, the 51; and Rebecca Clarke, Vice President and Treasurer, FCC.
The event is free and open to the public, to register click here!
