By rdnewsNOW Staff

Establishing Canadian Headquarters

Olds College part of new agriculture technology investment in Alberta

Jun 30, 2021 | 1:19 PM

Olds College is among a partnership aimed at supporting one of the world’s largest agriculture technology accelerators in locating its Canadian headquarters to Calgary.

The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) in partnership with Alberta Innovates, the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and Olds College will be providing up to $2.5 million dollars to support the establishment of SVG Ventures | THRIVE’S Canadian subsidiary with its headquarters located in Calgary.

“We are delighted to announce the establishment of our Canadian subsidiary and look forward to engaging with the ecosystem to invest, accelerate, and scale high-potential Canadian start-ups,” said John Hartnett, Founder & CEO, SVG Ventures | THRIVE, in a press release.

Through its Canadian operations in Calgary, SVG Ventures | THRIVE is anticipated to mentor and facilitate investment in start-ups chosen to participate in THRIVE Canada. SVG Ventures | THRIVE plans to hire three Calgary-based employees to manage the THRIVE Canada platform, programs, and corporate innovation engagements.

“Our agribusiness sector has companies along the entire value chain from production to consumption that are growing and evolving with technological advances and this investment from OCIF will accelerate their growth in an industry that has global opportunities for our city and region,” added Mark Blackwell, Chair of the Board of Directors, Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund.

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According to officials, OCIF and Alberta Innovates will provide up to $1 million each to THRIVE Canada under the terms of its agreement. Alberta Agriculture and Forestry provided $500,000 in grants to Olds College through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support the THRIVE Canada accelerator.

SVG Ventures | THRIVE are said to have already invested in seven Canadian companies through its global fund and will raise a Canadian fund by 2022 to invest in Canadian agricultural start-ups. THRIVE Canada’s introduction to Calgary’s innovation ecosystem is expected to help increase investment in Calgary-based, early-stage and growth-stage companies.

“Unprecedented future demand for agrifood products spells opportunity for Alberta’s ag-tech entrepreneurs,” said Alberta Innovates CEO, Laura Kilcrease. “Partnerships like this one will help position Alberta businesses to take on world markets and be successful. This investment is part of Alberta Innovates larger accelerator strategy aimed at amplifying the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem and vault start-ups and SMEs to success.”

THRIVE Canada is complementary to SVG Ventures | THRIVE’s partnership with Farm Credit Canada, the Government of Alberta, and Olds College’s Smart Farm campus to support ag-tech and science development in a cutting-edge learning environment for students for product validation and industry applications.

“We are excited to welcome SVG Ventures | THRIVE to Alberta. Our province is a world-leader in food and agriculture innovation, and the sector is a key part of Alberta’s economic recovery,” said Devin Dreeshen, Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. “We are actively working to attract investment and grow the sector, as shown by our commitment to our partnership with THRIVE and Olds College. We look forward to seeing what the future will bring.”

“Olds College would like to congratulate SVG Ventures | THRIVE on the establishment of THRIVE Canada,” said Stuart Cullum, President, Olds College. “As an agrifood focused post-secondary within the Calgary innovation ecosystem, our role is enhanced through our partnership with THRIVE Canada and this investment from OCIF provides the fuel to power our region’s global leadership in the sector.”

“Alberta agriculture meets Silicon Valley innovation. This new partnership builds on the momentum in Alberta’s tech sector by leveraging the investments we’ve made in Olds College’s smart farm and connecting start-ups to mentors and capital. It will also build on the strength of one of our major economic drivers and create high paying jobs for Albertans,” said Doug Schweitzer, Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation.

Over two years of the OCIF agreement, THRIVE Canada will identify, select, and mentor at least 25 Canadian agrifood start-ups, including a target of four Calgary-based companies and an incremental 10 Alberta companies.

Each year, two Canadian start-ups will be selected to participate in SVG Ventures | THRIVE’s one-week Silicon Valley Bootcamp with introductions to THRIVE Canada’s global corporate partners and international investor network. Over the duration of the project, THRIVE Canada will host two Investment Forums held in parallel with the Calgary Stampede to expose Canadian agtech start-ups to investors.

In 2021, in partnership with the United Farmers of Alberta Co-operative and Olds College, THRIVE Canada will host a panel at the AgSmart event to highlight key industry trends and opportunities, and address innovation technology needs of Canadian farmers.