A National Call to Action
Elevating Canada to an agri-food innovation superpower
From April to June, 2024, Bioenterprise Canada brought together agri-food ecosystem partners to develop and host Canada’s Path to Becoming an Agri-Food Innovation Superpower – a series of roundtables across Canada.
The purpose
To enhance the understanding of opportunities and challenges in the agri-food ecosystem from a regional, provincial and national perspective.
The outcome
Key findings and strategic recommendations to improve the productivity and competitiveness that will drive Canada’s agri-food innovation ecosystem forward.
Read the national report
The roundtables in numbers
Across 7 regions, over 130 participants from more than 120 organizations joined the roundtables, representing 7 key stakeholder groups – entrepreneurs and start-ups, academia, accelerators and incubators, corporate entities, industry associations, investment groups, and government agencies.
Together, they identified over 20 critical barriers and proposed more than 30 actionable solutions to drive Canada’s agri-food innovation forward.
7
Regions
130+
Participants
20+
Gaps & barriers identified
30+
Actionable solutions
“As the second largest country in the world by geography, Canada is blessed with an over-abundance of fresh water and arable land. We are a leading agricultural producer in many areas of primary agriculture and we also are home to some of the world’s finest agriculture research institutions. So, one would think that Canada should be a global leader when it comes to agricultural innovation. And yet, we rank 21st.
There is no doubt that Canada has the means to become a global agricultural innovation superpower and in doing so, lead the efforts towards agricultural sustainability, food security and driving solutions to impact climate change. And to make this a reality, Canada needs the determination and commitment to make it happen!”
Dave Smardon, President & CEO
Bioenterprise Canada
Bridging gaps to build the future
Bloomberg currently ranks Canada ninth in the world when it comes to investing in agricultural research, but only twenty-first in commercializing innovation. This gap suggests Canada isn’t receiving an appropriate return on its investments into research.
Yet, Canada has tremendous potential to become a global agri-food innovation superpower, thanks to its abundance of natural resources, innovative research institutions, and a strong focus on sustainable agricultural practices.
To unlock that potential, Canada must enhance the commercialization and adoption of agri-food innovations, ensuring entrepreneurs have domestic access to the resources and incentives they need to grow effectively within our borders and globally.
Discover the insights and strategies that can propel Canada’s agri-food sector forward. Explore our seven regional roundtable reports for in-depth snapshots of each region’s specific gaps, barriers, and recommendations, and read our national report for a comprehensive overview of the national agri-food ecosystem.
National reportRead the regional reports
What we heard
Common sentiments from key voices in Canada’s agri-food and innovation ecosystem
Entrepreneurs
Early- and growth-stage companies TRL 7 and higher emphasized the urgent need for greater connectivity with each other and farmers, better access to mentorship and essential business skills, clearer pathways to commercialization, and improved access to funding.
Ecosystem support organizations
Accelerators and incubators, academia, corporate, and industry representatives expressed the need for enhanced collaboration across provincial and national ecosystems to eliminate silos, reduce duplication, maximize resources, and expand access to support beyond provincial borders.
Investors
Venture capital firms, angel investors, and corporate funders highlighted that the agri-food sector’s longer growth and profitability cycles require tailored investment strategies and success metrics such as more patient capital, better incentives, and streamlined funding processes to effectively support the unique challenges of agri-food innovation.
Recommendations
Through the roundtable series and consultation with a broad range of stakeholders across the agri-food innovation ecosystem, the national report suggests solutions in four key areas.
For a comprehensive overview of all barriers, gaps, and solutions, please read the full reports.
National report
Collaboration and connectivity
Unite fragmented regional and national networks to enhance collaboration among farmers, innovators, and all other ecosystem stakeholders.
Recommendations
• Foster stronger links between the private sector and academia to aggregate new companies and build a dedicated agri-food supercluster.
• Fund a third-party organization to create a network of farmers willing to participate in innovation partnerships with entrepreneurs.
• Establish a matchmaking mechanism to better connect farmers and innovators.
• Encourage early adopter farmers to share their experiences with innovations to build trust and drive adoption.
Regulatory system
Streamline regulatory processes to accelerate the adoption of agri-food technologies.
Recommendations
• Simplify regulatory approvals to reduce red tape, enabling faster market entry for new technologies.
• Modernize the Intellectual Property and trademarking system to align with standards in competing jurisdictions and process applications more rapidly.
• Properly fund regulatory agencies like the Pest Management Regulatory Agency and Canadian Food Inspection Agency to ensure timely approvals.
• Leverage existing data and regulatory reviews from comparable jurisdictions to support streamlined approvals in Canada.
Resources and support
Provide centralized resources and mentorship to support the commercialization of agri-food innovations.
Recommendations
• Develop a centralized, easily accessible roadmap or directory of services and resources for entrepreneurs to navigate the commercialization pathway.
• Provide training for entrepreneurs to clearly and concisely explain their innovations and the on-farm problems they solve.
• Establish networking events and platforms for ecosystem participants to connect and collaborate.
• Create coaching programs to help entrepreneurs develop essential business skills, including finance, marketing, and sales.
Investment and funding
Improve investment coordination and access to capital for scaling agri-food businesses.
Recommendations
• Enhance collaboration between federal and provincial governments to streamline funding applications and grant management processes.
• Provide ongoing support to successful funding programs beyond traditional cycles to ensure sustained support for innovators.
• Create incentives such as tax credits to encourage more investment into agri-food innovation.
• Establish a single organization to lead the vetting of innovations and connect entrepreneurs with appropriate funding sources.
A National Call to Action
Currently, Canada’s agri-food innovation ecosystem is fragmented and risk averse, hindering the adoption of new technologies and the commercialization of innovations. To unlock the sector’s full potential and transform Canada into a global agri-food innovation superpower, we must prioritize agri-food in national policies and develop a clear, efficient pathway to successful commercialization. Doing so will boost the sector’s productivity and competitiveness.
Be part of the change
Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine is a community of innovators, accelerators, and strategic partners and sponsors dedicated to advancing food and agri-tech innovation across Canada. The Engine connects members to resources, funding opportunities, and collaborative networks essential for driving sector growth.
As we continue our work to overcome the barriers and gaps in the agri-food ecosystem, become a part of Canada’s agri-food innovation journey by joining The Engine. Choose how you’d like to contribute, whether as a partner, sponsor, or community member, and help drive the growth and commercialization of agri-food innovations. Additionally, participate in our upcoming survey to shape the future of the sector and share your feedback.
Become a partner
Join our network of industry experts committed to providing sector-specific services that will accelerate the growth of small businesses across Canada.
Become a sponsor
Demonstrate your commitment to Canada’s top sustainable food and agri-tech innovations by becoming a sponsor.
Become a member
Join our Engine community to stay connected and informed about Canada’s dynamic agri-tech ecosystem, with no obligation required.
Thank you to our sponsors
Get in touch
We value your input! Share your comments, opinions, and suggestions to help us drive agri-food innovation forward. Your feedback is essential in shaping the future of the sector.