Press Release
For Immediate Release
L’Assomption RCM, 17 February 2021 – New important milestones for the agtech ecosystem in Quebec: the Agtech Zone announces a three-year partnership with Bioenterprise Corporation, Canada’s Food & Agritech Engine, as well as with the Ecofuel Accelerator, a renowned and specialized business accelerator in the clean technology industry in Quebec. With an investment of $ 570,000 over three years, this collaboration will be used to support the mission of the Agtech Zone and to catalyze the development of innovative agricultural technologies in Quebec. Specifically, the partnership will serve to:
- Create the first agtech accelerator in Quebec;
- Support a co-development approach for agtech solutions with the agricultural community;
- Structure an applied approach to networking the needs of industry, its representatives and agtech companies in Quebec.
“Quebec has the potential to stand out in the innovative agricultural technology industry,” assures Sébastien Nadeau, mayor of L’Assomption and bearer of the Agtech Zone vision on the Council of Mayors of the L’Assomption RCM. “By bringing together the ecosystem of innovative agricultural technologies in this way, the Agtech Zone is creating the conditions for success for our technologies to stand out here and internationally. This funding will strengthen the position of the Agtech Zone by hiring two new resources and setting up the first Quebec acceleration program specializing in the agtech industry. This is great news for the innovation zone and the industry”.
Since its launch by the L’Assomption RCM in 2020, the Agtech Zone has emerged as a key player in the development of the agtech and plant bioproducts industry in Quebec. The Agtech Zone has created several networks, developed international partnerships, set up four consortia and has reached more than 1,000 players in the sector with its events. About 40 companies are also established in the geolocated area. In less than a year it brought together more than 175 Quebec companies and organizations within the agtech community, more than 1,600 scientists representing 24 complementary areas of expertise, 10 financial partners and three accelerating partners.
“This new partnership is an exciting next step in making Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine a truly national network and will let us support food and agri-tech innovation and entrepreneurship in Quebec, a key region for this very important sector,” says Bioenterprise CEO Dave Smardon. “We are also pleased to be able to play a role in the creation of Quebec’s first agtech accelerator and welcome the opportunity to put our resources and expertise at the disposal of new partners in Quebec’s innovation ecosystem.”
About the Agtech Zone
A breeding ground for knowledge entrepreneurship and innovation, the Agtech Zone, located in the L’Assomption RCM in Quebec, is a dedicated geolocated zone that brings together the entire ecosystem to propel new agriculture. The Zone makes it possible to favorably position the companies (SMEs as well as large companies) associated with it in addition to giving them unique competitive advantages. Strategically located within the Metropolitan Community of Montreal (CMM), the Zone provides access to the logistics hub of greater Montreal and in a single location to research teams, a business network, advisers, training research facilities and visibility platforms.
About Bioentreprise Corporation
Bioenterprise is Canada’s Food and Agri-Tech Engine, bringing more than 15 years of industry experience and a national and international network of research institutions, academia, mentors, experts, government, and industry players nationwide to help small and medium-sized businesses in the sector to connect, innovate, and grow. Through its experienced service partner network, Bioenterprise offers a wide range of expertise and support to its clients. In partnerships with other industries, Bioenterprise opens doors to new technologies and platforms to help food and agri-tech businesses innovate and grow.
About the Ecofuel Accelerator
Ecofuel Accelerator offers a specialized and personalized program to clean technology companies. Founded by Cycle Capital, the Ecofuel Accelerator works with entrepreneurs who develop and commercialize clean technologies and offers support in the start-up of businesses that will be internationally competitive. It provides entrepreneurs with training workshops, networking sessions and mentoring and to investors, access to the most promising start-ups in the Canadian cleantech ecosystem.
In addition to the financial support provided by the Government of Quebec, the Ecofuel Accelerator can count on the support of Cycle Capital, Ecotech Quebec, Fasken and the City of Montreal.
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For information :
Agtech Zone
Kassandra Martel
kmartel@zoneagtech.ca
514 816-2692
Bioenterprise Corporation Canada
Molly Gallant
Molly.Gallant@bioenterprise.ca
519 821-2960