Canada - Zone Agtech and the Ecofuel Accelerator announce the creation of an Acceleration Program 100% dedicated to the agtech sector in collaboration with Bioenterprise Corporation

Date:01-25-2021

In partnership with Bioenterprise Corporation, the Ecofuel Accelerator and Zone Agtech are officially launching the Ecofuel Agtech Acceleration Program – Powered by Zone Agtech, the first acceleration program 100% dedicated to the commercialization of Quebec's agricultural innovations. This initiative will provide concrete solutions to agricultural producers to help them adapt to climate change while supporting Quebec's food self-sufficiency. This dynamic collaboration brings us one step closer to greener, more efficient, and more profitable agriculture.

As part of the Ecofuel Agtech Acceleration Program – Powered by Zone Agtech, five companies, offering innovative pre-seed and seed agricultural technologies, will benefit from various forms of support as well as proximity to the agricultural environment in which they commercialize their technology. This intensive and immersive program will help ensure the successful commercialization of agtech companies by focusing on the quality of the innovations, operational deployment with agricultural user-partners, and financing the commercialization of these technologies.

The call for applications for the Ecofuel Agtech Acceleration Program – Powered by Zone Agtech officially goes out, and a first cohort will get under way in early March. Powered by Zone Agtech, this program is offered to innovative agricultural companies whose solutions reduce GHGs, increase food autonomy or promote adaptation to climate change. Companies must also be located in the Agtech Zone or commit to locate there at the end of the program.

This initiative is part of a broader three-year partnership between Zone Agtech, Bioenterprise Corporation—the Canadian food and agtech engine — and the Ecofuel Accelerator. Relying on an investment of $570,000, this alliance will propel the development of innovative agricultural technologies in Quebec and further Zone Agtech's broader mission.

“Initiatives like these help us build the agriculture of tomorrow, while generating significant economic benefits," says Sébastien Nadeau, Mayor of L'Assomption and standard-bearer for Zone Agtech within the Council of Mayors of the MRC de L'Assomption. The agtech sector is a promising field for Quebec. With Zone Agtech and its ecosystem, we have the potential to become a world authority in the field. By supporting it, we are actively contributing to its appeal and influence.”

“In addition to accelerating the development of innovative agricultural technologies that have a positive impact on the environment, the involvement of the Ecofuel Accelerator will help enhance the quality of projects and increase their chances of success when the time comes to move from idea to market," emphasizes Patrick Gagné, President and CEO of the Ecofuel Accelerator. In this way, Quebec agriculture will be able—sooner rather than later—to make an ecological transition that is innovative and in line with the global reality.”

"Our new partnership with Zone Agtech and the Ecofuel Accelerator represents a considerable expansion of Canada's foodtech and agtech network. It also allows us to make our expertise and resources available to companies and organizations in Quebec," explains Bioenterprise CEO Dave Smardon. "At the same time, we will have the opportunity to contribute to the export of promising food and agri-tech innovations from Québec to the rest of Canada and to establish new funding partnerships as well as regional and national collaborations.”