North American AgTech Accelerator
Are you ready to grow your company in the United States (US) and Mexico?
Valued at more than USD $7.5B in 2024, the North American agriculture technology (Agtech) sector presents robust opportunities for Canadian companies seeking long-term growth and investment.
The US continues to dominate the global AgTech investment landscape, capturing more than 45% of the USD $11.9B raised worldwide. Poised for particularly strong growth are companies offering solutions in bioenergy and biomaterials as well as agricultural marketplaces and fintech.
Mexico is the 11th largest agriculture and agri-food producer in the world. Mexican producers are seeking a wide range of agricultural machinery, equipment, and other innovative technologies that enable producers to improve quality, increase productivity, and ensure food safety.
The North American AgTech Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) will help guide your strategic growth in key markets in the US (California and the Upper Midwest) and Mexico.
Important dates
Application deadline | Program dates | Time commitment |
---|---|---|
30 October, 2024 | January to May 2025 | Two hours per week virtual plus two weeks in-market (California, Mexico, and an optional Upper Midwest program) |
Benefits of joining
Participants in the CTA program gain essential tools for scale-up through:
- exclusive access to educational resources
- guidance from experts and mentors
- introductions to potential customers, partners and investors in California, the US-Upper Midwest, and Mexico
If accepted into the program, you will engage in interactive webinars and workshops on the local market, regulatory environment, financing, customer acquisition, investor attraction, legal and tax implications, and more!
Who should apply
We are looking for Canadian AgTech companies with exceptional teams that can commit the time and energy required to take full advantage of the program. We ask that applicants also have:
- financial stability, with a runway of at least 12 months
- plans for raising a Seed to Series A fund within the next 12-18 months
- technology at or beyond the demonstration stage, with preference for technology that is commercialised or go-to-market ready
- a passionate and committed team with specific market-entry goals
- sufficient resources to target and achieve market growth
We will consider companies that have technologies in various subsectors of the AgTech industry, including sensors and instrumentation, robotics and automation, digital/SaaS solutions, indoor farming, supply chain enhancements, technologies that enable food processing advancements.
The Trade Commissioner Service supports equity, diversity, and inclusion in trade. We strongly encourage companies led by Canadians of all backgrounds to apply.
How the program works
The CTA will take place between January and May 2025 with both virtual and in-person activities, including:
- networking opportunities
- webinars & training sessions
- 1:1 mentoring
- pitch coaching
- market education
- investor roundtables
- B2B meetings with potential clients and local partners
- participation in the World AgriTech Summit (San Francisco, March 2025)
- B2B customer discovery, networking, and field visits in Mexico (March 2025)
- optional B2B program and event participation in the Upper Midwest (Summer 2025)
Testimonial
“We have participated in a few expedition programs in the past and had mixed results, but this CTA program was a delightfully different one. Unlike the others, the routine calls with various experts were actually helpful, informative, and interactive, and the program made a serious effort to connect us with relevant potential partners and investors. Also, the chance to be a part of the conference and showcase our product was extremely helpful with our fundraising efforts.”
“The Mexican team successfully identified the right kind of prospects for AgSights, set up the Zoom calls to make introductions, and provided excellent translations services during the calls when necessary. As a result of the CTA, an initial market visit by two AgSights people was undertaken in early December in order to follow up those calls, and now we are well under way with trials in various locations. We look forward to major success in 2024.”
Contact us
Learn more about this program by contacting:
Christina Connelly
Trade Commissioner
Consulate General of Canada - Minneapolis
christina.connelly@international.gc.ca
Emily Raab
Trade Commissioner
Consulate General of Canada – San Francisco
emily.raab@international.gc.ca
Luis Ernesto Gonzalez
Trade Commissioner
Embassy of Canada in Mexico
luisernesto.gonzalez@international.gc.ca