Every January, the Pacific Agriculture Show at Tradex in Abbotsford showcases the latest innovative technology targeting Canada’s agriculture industry.
“Our province is budding with talented young entrepreneurs who are the future of the agriculture industry,” believes Jim Shepard, producer of the event.
With hundreds of exhibitors, “our show brings together tens of thousands of leaders in the agri-sector each year,” he says.
This year, Abbotsford Tech District is partnering with the annual event on Farmers’ Den.
A spin on CBC’s long-standing Dragons’ Den franchise, Farmers’ Den is a pitch competition highlighting emerging agtech innovators and entrepreneurs in BC.
“It’s an important event to network and build your business,” Shepard said of the Pac Ag Show, “which is why Farmers Den was such a natural fit.”
At the event, a panel of judges will hear pitches from regional entrepreneurs before awarding winners in two categories: Outstanding Agripreneur for proven founders and Seedling, which is open to students and recent grads who may not have a fully fleshed firm up and running yet.
The Outstanding Agripreneur of 2024 will receive a cash prize of $50,000 to empower their business, while the year’s top Seedling will walk away with $10,000 to pursue their idea.
Farmers’ Den judges will include Lenore Newman, who serves as director at the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley.
Currently in development, the Abbotsford Tech District is an integrated education, research, and commercialization hub focused on the regions’ powerhouse agriculture sector and strong aerospace cluster.
“The Pacific Agriculture Show is the perfect place to launch the inaugural Farmers Den and to showcase up-and-coming innovators and entrepreneurs in the region,” stated Gavin Dew, Chief Strategy Officer of Abbotsford Tech District, describing the event as the “gold standard where people go to see the latest equipment and technology in the agriculture industry.”
The Pacific Agriculture Show takes place January 25th through 27th. The Farmers’ Den will go down on January 26th from 1pm to 4pm.
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