David Kornacki of the Canadian Venture Capital Association reported that agribusiness had a record year in 2023, with $273 million invested in 50 deals. That compares to a decline of 34 per cent that year in venture capital deals outside of agriculture and a 50 per cent decline the year before. | Getty Images

Ag tech venture capital remains on sidelines

Entrepreneurs require patience and increased planning if they are to unlock investment and achieve profitability

Glacier FarmMedia – Agriculture venture capital investment was an outlier in 2023 as it increased slightly over 2022, according to the Canadian Venture Capital Association. However, that news belied pessimism on the state of ag tech at the recent Agri Tech Venture Forum in Toronto. The forum heard that the availability of capital for agriculture […] Read more

Hallie Shoffner field tests ag tech systems on her farm in Arkansas in exchange for equity in the startups.  |  Photo supplied by Hallie Schoffner

Farms grow venture capitalists

Glacier FarmMedia – When Hallie Shoffner runs a trial on her Arkansas farm, she gets an equity stake in the startup whose product she’s testing. She’s a member of AgLaunch, a non-profit focused on boosting agricultural technology development. The equity is part of her reward for participating in their farmer network. “It has always bothered […] Read more

Tall Grass Ventures is a Canadian investment firm focused on early-stage agri-food tech start-ups. | Screencap via tallgrass.vc

FCC invests in venture fund

Farm Credit Canada has become one of the largest investors in Tall Grass Ventures inaugural Tall Grass Fund I. The final close for the fund is expected to occur this spring. Tall Grass Ventures is a Canadian investment firm focused on early-stage agri-food tech start-ups. Other investors from the agriculture and food sectors include grain […] Read more