Regina’s agtech sector will enjoy $1.3 million in funding targeted at Regina’s Agtech Accelerator and a local software firm.
The federal government announced an investment of $900,000 to support the Accelerator and an additional $400,000 to support Jobbox Software Inc. (Jobbox) as they expand functionality and markets for their technology.
According to a news release, the Accelerator builds globally competitive agtech start-ups and supports a long-term vision of further solidifying Regina and Saskatchewan as a global agtech hub that is focused on the agri-food value chain. It is a key part of Regina’s agriculture and food strategy, which builds on regional strengths and unique assets, while reducing barriers to growth.
Jobbox has built a new platform, ServiceBox, to assist field service companies to manage their business workflow digitally in real time. The Government of Canada is delivering additional investment to this growing firm to support further economic growth and innovation, the release said. This support will enable Jobbox to expand its platform and increase sales and marketing of its services throughout Canada and the United States.
“The Greater Regina Area has the innovation ecosystem in place to support the expansion of our city as a global agriculture and food powerhouse. Many of the pieces are already in place,” said Tina Beaudry-Mellor, chief economic growth officer for Economic Development Regina.
“Regina is located at the centre of 80% of Canada’s farmland, with sound logistics, a robust financing and venture capital system, global ag companies, and an Agtech Accelerator that will help our start-ups grow and scale to meet the challenge of feeding the world sustainably. The challenge will be to meet the demand for skilled labour. With this PrairiesCan investment and our post-secondary partnerships, we’re meeting that challenge head-on.”
Saskatchewan’s tech sector has grown 38% since 2010 to reach $5 billion GDP in 2020 and it continues to grow. Saskatchewan is well-positioned to be a leader in agtech innovation due to its wealth of agricultural expertise, world-leading agriculture and food companies, and vibrant start-up and tech communities, the news release added.
