Two companies won big at the first ever Farmers Den pitch competition for emerging agriculture and food innovators and entrepreneurs.
A spin on CBC’s long-standing Dragons’ Den franchise, Farmers Den showcased emerging agriculture companies, giving them the opportunity to step into the spotlight and present their business ideas to a panel of industry experts and investors for a chance to win a non-dilutive monetary prize to help expand their businesses.
Four startups competed in the seedlings division for early-stage entrepreneurs and students with emerging companies or ideas for an agribusiness.
Insporos Technologies won the division for their intelligent seed sorting technology identifies and removes diseased and defective seeds to help growers conserve resources and make sure every seed planted counts.
“We’re really grateful for the opportunity to pitch in the first ever Farmers Den,” said Mallory Flynn and Amanda Ackroyd, Co-Founders, Insporos Technologies.
“It’s an honour to win in a community of our own. It was motivating to see all of the creative solutions and sprouting entrepreneurs.”
Five companies competed in the Agripreneurs division for established agricultural companies and Maia Farms beat out 4AG Robotics, CanDry Technologies, Sarcomere Dynamics, and Verdi.
Maia Farms is building a third pillar of protein using mushrooms, proving they are healthy, sustainable, and easily incorporated into different products and meals.
“On behalf of the Maia team, I want to thank Farmers Den, put on by Abbotsford Tech District, for bringing together a network of leading agricultural entrepreneurs and for their support of world changing ideas right here in B.C.,” said Gavin Schneider, CEO, Maia Farms.
“We look forward to investing this money in the future of our company, leading to meaningful job opportunities.”
Abbotsford Tech District was proud to partner with the Pacific Agriculture Show to hold the competition during the exhibition in Abbotsford — Canada’s most productive agricultural jurisdiction.
“There is such overwhelming talent and potential coming out of BC’s agritech sector” said Gavin Dew, Chief Strategy Officer, Abbotsford Tech District, a planned ag and food innovation hub and the organizer of Farmers Den.
“It was so inspiring to see the number of people who applied to pitch, and I think everyone was blown away today by the quality and variety of companies.”
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