L’Assomption RCM, October 20, 2022 – In partnership with Cycle Momentum and Bioenterprise Corporation, Zone Agtech is currently recruiting for the Cycle Momentum Agtech Acceleration Program – powered by Zone Agtech. This acceleration program is 100% dedicated to commercializing innovative agricultural technologies in Quebec. This initiative aims to advance the development of concrete solutions that reduce the Agtech sector’s environmental footprint, help agricultural producers adapt to climate change and support food autonomy in Quebec in order to accelerate the province’s transition towards a greener, more efficient, and sustainable economy.
As part of the Cycle Momentum Agtech Acceleration Program – powered by Zone Agtech, five seed-stage enterprises with innovative agricultural technologies will benefit from various forms of support, including access to agricultural resources required to commercialize their technology. This immersive program will support the commercialization of Agtech by focusing on the quality of innovation, demonstration in an operational environment with pilot partners, and financing opportunities.
Companies are invited to apply to the Cycle Momentum Agtech Acceleration Program – powered by Zone Agtech starting today, until December 12th, 2022. Activities for this second cohort will begin at the end of January 2023. Powered by Zone Agtech, this program is designed for innovative agricultural companies with solutions to reduce GHGs, increase food autonomy and/or promote agricultural adaptation to climate change.
Prospective applicants must also be located in the Zone Agtech or must commit to relocating there by the end of the program.
This initiative is part of a three-year partnership (2020-2023) between Zone Agtech, Bioenterprise Corporation, and Cycle Momentum. Thanks to an investment of $570,000, this alliance is working to accelerate the development of innovative agricultural technologies in Quebec along with supporting the mission of Zone Agtech.
“We are delighted to renew, for a 3rd consecutive year, the Cycle Momentum Agtech Accelerator Program, powered by the Zone Agtech. Together with the Cycle Momentum team, we have had the opportunity to support promising impact companies that are committed to reducing the environmental impact and adapting to climate change in the agricultural sector,” explains Marilou Cyr, Executive Director of the Zone Agtech. The agtech sector is booming and we are pleased with this collaboration with Cycle Momentum, which allows us to offer a robust program to our companies.”
“We are delighted to help accelerate the development of clean technologies in the agricultural sector. We are looking for entrepreneurs who are committed to both the development of the agricultural sector and the reduction of greenhouse gases”, emphasizes Patrick Gagné, President and CEO of Cycle Momentum. “We want to help these entrepreneurs better commercialize their technological solutions and partner with industrial groups to scale-up and drive innovation in the agriculture sector.”
“Our continued partnership with Zone Agtech and Cycle Momentum represents a considerable expansion of Canada’s Food and Agri-Tech Engine. It also allows us to make our expertise and resources further 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 Quebec to the rest of Canada and to continue establishing funding partnerships as well as regional and national collaborations.”
About Zone Agtech
An incubator for know-how, entrepreneurship and innovation, Zone Agtech is located in the regional county municipality of L’Assomption, Quebec. It is a dedicated geolocated zone that brings together the entire local ecosystem to propel new agriculture, enabling both SMEs and large companies associated with it to successfully position themselves and reap unique competitive advantages. Strategically situated on the North Shore of Greater Montréal, the Zone provides direct access to a metropolitan logistics hub with research teams, a business network, advisors, training, research facilities, and visibility platforms all within a single location.
Since its launch by the L’Assomption RCM in 2020, Zone Agtech has distinguished itself as a key player in the development of the agtech and plant bioproducts industry in Quebec. Zone Agtech has already established several networks, developed international partnerships, created four consortiums, and, through its organized events, reached more than a thousand vital actors in the sector. Some forty companies are also setting up in the geolocated zone. In less than two years, Zone Agtech has brought together more than 200 Quebec companies and organizations within the agtech community, more than 1,600 scientists representing 24 complementary areas of expertise, 10 financial partners, and 3 acceleration partners.
For more info: www.zoneagtech.ca
About Cycle Momentum
Cycle Momentum is an accelerator and open innovation platform that brings together an international collective of entrepreneurs, investors and innovators. Our mission is to find innovative solutions to the major ecological challenges facing humanity. Member of the Cycle Capital Platform, Cycle Momentum provides entrepreneurs with training workshops, networking sessions and mentoring, and works with leading companies to stimulate technology acquisition and integration. In order to increase the impact of its programs, Cycle Momentum has brought together several local and international investment funds as part of its Circle of Partner Funds, whose members are involved with participating startups.
Cycle Momentum can count on the financial support of the Gouvernement du Quebec, the Fonds Vert, Cycle Capital, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Investissement Québec, the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good, Scale AI, Fasken and the City of Montreal. Cycle Momenum also benefits from the collaboration of Écotech Québec and the Zone Agtech.
For more info: https://cyclemomentum.com/
About Bioenterprise Canada
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 partnership with other industries, Bioenterprise opens doors to new technologies and platforms to help food and agri-tech businesses innovate and grow.
For more info: www.bioenterprise.ca
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