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Bioenterprise Canada and Agricultural Credit Corporation (ACC) Sign Landmark Agreement to Accelerate Agri-Tech Commercialization and On-Farm Adoption
Jan 28, 2026
Strategic partnership strengthens national capacity to help startups and producers access the capital and expertise they need to de-risk innovation scale-up and adoption.
Guelph, Ontario — Bioenterprise Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine and Agricultural Credit Corporation (ACC) are pleased to announce the signing of a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes a new collaborative framework to accelerate innovation, commercialization, and adoption across Canada’s agri-food and agri-tech sectors.
The agreement formalizes a partnership between Canada’s leading food and agri-tech accelerator and one of the country’s longest-standing agricultural lending organizations. ACC represents 19 producer associations and marketing boards across Canada and administers more than $1 billion in operating funds annually through its loan and financing programs. By uniting ACC’s financial tools and deep agricultural expertise with Bioenterprise Canada’s national Engine network of more than 1,200 partners and members, this partnership provides both innovators and producers with unprecedented access to capital, mentorship, and collaborative market opportunities.
Strengthening innovation through integrated support
Together, Bioenterprise and ACC will provide a coordinated pathway that connects innovation with financing and adoption. This includes aligning commercialization expertise with financial assessment and due diligence; expanding access to bridge financing, exclusively for Bioenterprise program applicants and Engine members; enhancing market access for innovators through Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine; and sharing networks, data, and resources to ensure smooth project delivery and greater national impact. The collaboration will also extend to joint engagement activities, including opportunities through initiatives like the Farmer Innovation Advisory Group, to foster stronger connections between producers, innovators, and lenders.
As Canada faces global competitiveness pressures, supply chain challenges, and rapid technological change, connecting innovation with financial tools has become increasingly important. This partnership ensures that promising companies and valued producers are better equipped to adopt new technologies, scale efficiently, and strengthen the resilience of Canada’s agricultural economy.
“Innovation succeeds when the right support systems align,” says Dave Smardon, President & CEO of Bioenterprise Canada. “By partnering with ACC, we’re helping to close the gap between Canadian agri-tech companies and farmers while also providing both the expertise and the financing they need to bring new technologies to market and adopt them faster. This collaboration strengthens the entire ecosystem.”
As a not-for-profit organization, ACC is dedicated to improving the financial stability of Canadian agriculture through accessible loan programs, cash flow solutions, and financial guidance for producers. In partnering with Bioenterprise, ACC extends its support beyond primary production to include innovators developing the next generation of tools, technologies, and systems.
“ACC’s mission has always been to support Canadian agriculture by improving access to capital and reducing financial risk for producers,” says Jaye Atkins, CEO of Agricultural Credit Corporation. “Partnering with Bioenterprise allows us to extend that support to the innovators who are also shaping the future of the sector.”
Building a national innovation–financing pathway
Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine is a national commercialization platform led by Bioenterprise Canada that brings together accelerators, incubators, post-secondary institutions, government partners, and industry leaders to support innovation and growth across the agri-food sector.
This partnership represents the first phase of a broader vision to integrate financing, innovation services, and commercialization support into a unified ecosystem model. Bioenterprise and ACC will collaborate on co-branded initiatives, events, and national engagement activities, with opportunities for joint program development to advance the future of agri-tech and agri-food in Canada.
About Bioenterprise Canada
Bioenterprise is Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, the country’s leading agri-tech alliance, uniting innovators, partners, and investors to drive groundbreaking agri-food innovation. By providing market intelligence, mentorship, and funding, Bioenterprise bridges cutting-edge research to commercial success, helping agri-food innovations scale nationally and globally. Through its team of agri-food industry experts and Innovation Advisors, The Engine is dedicated to helping small- and medium-sized agri-food businesses connect, innovate, and grow.
About Agricultural Credit Corporation
Agricultural Credit Corporation (ACC) is a not-for-profit farm organization dedicated to improving the financial stability of Canadian agriculture. Through its loan programs and financial services, ACC helps producers manage cash flow, invest in their operations, and navigate market fluctuations.
For more information:
Dave Smardon, Bioenterprise Canada, dave.smardon@bioenterprise.ca
Jaye Atkins, Agricultural Credit Corporation, jaye@agcreditcorp.ca
