Sowing Seeds of Innovation at AgSmart 2024

Alberta Innovates is a long-time supporter of AgSmart, returning as a sponsor for this year’s educational expo as the agriculture sector came together for informative panels, ample networking opportunities and impressive technology demos. Produced by Olds College, AgSmart represents an ideal platform for agri-food innovators, farmers, and governing bodies to connect.

Alberta Innovates sent a dynamic roster for the July 30-31 event including team members who specialize in food innovation, business and post-secondary research investment and emerging technologies, as well as experts helping start-up technology companies. InnoTech Alberta, a subsidiary of Alberta Innovates, also attended to highlight its work in agriculture research and testing.

“AgSmart is the event of the summer to connect with our clients and see past, present and potential agri-tech projects in action. It is a convening point for farmers, agri-tech companies, researchers and funders.”

–Dana Gibson, Executive Director of Agriculture and Food Innovation, Alberta Innovates

Alberta Innovates' Dana Gibson and SVG Thrive's Megan Croft represented their respective organizations in a panel titled From Idea to Impact: Building Startups with Purpose

The flagship agri-tech event took place on the heels of a funding announcement from Alberta Innovates for three separate projects being developed by the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and LWR Technologies (with research support from University of Calgary) respectively. Identifying and supporting key agricultural research and emerging technologies is just one way Alberta Innovates is advancing innovation in one of our province’s most important industries.

Impressive technologies were on display, with small equipment and drone demos highlighting some impressive strides taken in tech automation and capabilities.

Albertan agriculture is a major economic driver, a lynchpin industry for environmental stewardship like carbon emission reduction and water conservation, and a core pillar of our provincial identity. The ag sector has unique tech innovation needs and goals; the community is largely rural and owner-operator based by nature, and any new technology requires a level of proven readiness that doesn’t risk hamstringing operations. This makes opportunities for the agricultural community, tech developers and support infrastructure to come together and discuss today’s problems and potential solutions a crucial piece of the puzzle.

“You need to connect farmers with tech developers so they’re speaking the same language. You’re not going to be able to adopt tech if you don’t see it, and tech [innovators] need to meet with farmers to know what to develop.”

– Megan Croft, Ecosystem and Partnership Ops Manager, SVG Thrive

A myriad of agtech companies previously supported by Alberta Innovates – like Director Robin Woodward and Carbon Asset Solutions – were on-hand to connect with potential partners and clients interested in their technologies.

SVG Thrive hosted a tent alongside a handful of companies who have received support from Alberta Innovates and Thrive previously. Attending startups cited the event as an invaluable opportunity to connect with potential clients and a fine display of the strong innovation support ecosystem we have here in Alberta.

“Between Alberta Innovates and the team at SVG Thrive, the connections and the people they’ve put us in touch with, they’ve been awesome for our business. What we have in Southern Alberta in terms of the ecosystem and what Alberta Innovates is trying to do – it’s huge.”

– Joshua Day Chief, CEO, AdvancedAg

Visit our Agri-Food Innovation page to learn more about the funding opportunities, technologies and research Alberta Innovates is advancing in our province.