MRC de L'Assomption, Canada
January 22, 2021

In partnership with Bioenterprise Corporation, the Ecofuel Accelerator and Zone Agtech are officially launching the Ecofuel Agtech Acceleration Program – Powered by Zone Agtech, the first acceleration program 100% dedicated to the commercialization of Quebec's agricultural innovations. This initiative will provide concrete solutions to agricultural producers to help them adapt to climate change while supporting Quebec's food self-sufficiency. This dynamic collaboration brings us one step closer to greener, more efficient, and more profitable agriculture. 

As part of the Ecofuel Agtech Acceleration Program – Powered by Zone Agtech, five companies, offering innovative pre-seed and seed agricultural technologies, will benefit from various forms of support as well as proximity to the agricultural environment in which they commercialize their technology. This intensive and immersive program will help ensure the successful commercialization of agtech companies by focusing on the quality of the innovations, operational deployment with agricultural user-partners, and financing the commercialization of these technologies.

The call for applications for the Ecofuel Agtech Acceleration Program – Powered by Zone Agtech officially goes out today, and a first cohort will get under way in early March. Powered by Zone Agtech, this program is offered to innovative agricultural companies whose solutions reduce GHGs, increase food autonomy or promote adaptation to climate change. Companies must also be located in the Agtech Zone or commit to locate there at the end of the program. For more details: ecofuelaccelerate.com/agtech-program/

This initiative is part of a broader three-year partnership between Zone Agtech, Bioenterprise Corporation—the Canadian food and agtech engine — and the Ecofuel Accelerator. Relying on an investment of $570,000, this alliance will propel the development of innovative agricultural technologies in Quebec and further Zone Agtech's broader mission.

“Initiatives like these help us build the agriculture of tomorrow, while generating significant economic benefits," says Sébastien Nadeau, Mayor of L'Assomption and standard-bearer for Zone Agtech within the Council of Mayors of the MRC de L'Assomption. The agtech sector is a promising field for Quebec. With Zone Agtech and its ecosystem, we have the potential to become a world authority in the field. By supporting it, we are actively contributing to its appeal and influence.”

“In addition to accelerating the development of innovative agricultural technologies that have a positive impact on the environment, the involvement of the Ecofuel Accelerator will help enhance the quality of projects and increase their chances of success when the time comes to move from idea to market," emphasizes Patrick Gagné, President and CEO of the Ecofuel Accelerator. In this way, Quebec agriculture will be able—sooner rather than later—to make an ecological transition that is innovative and in line with the global reality.”

"Our new partnership with Zone Agtech and the Ecofuel Accelerator represents a considerable expansion of Canada's foodtech and agtech network. It also allows us to make our expertise and resources 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 Québec to the rest of Canada and to establish new 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 MRC de L'Assomption 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 a year, it has brought together more than 175 Quebec companies and organizations within the agtech community, more than 1,600 scientists representing 24 complementary areas of expertise, ten financial partners, and three accelerator partners.

For more info: www.zoneagtech.ca 

About the Ecofuel Accelerator 
The Ecofuel Accelerator is a specialized and personalized accelerator dedicated to the cleantech startups.Founded by Cycle Capital, the accelerator works with entrepreneurs who develop and commercialize clean technologies  to help build globally competitive companies. The Ecofuel Accelerator offers entrepreneurs a specialized and personalized program of training workshops, networking sessions, experienced mentors and gives access to the investors to some of the most promising Canadian cleantech ventures. 

In addition to the funding provided by the Quebec Government, the Ecofuel Accelerator benefits from the collaboration of Cycle Capital, Écotech Québec, Fasken, and the City of Montréal.

For more info: www.ecofuelaccelerate.com

About Bioenterprise Corporation
Bioenterprise is Canada’s Foodtech & Agtech 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 partnerships with other industries we open doors to new technologies and platforms to help food and agri-tech businesses innovate and grow. 
For more info: www.bioenterprise.ca