Alberta Enterprise Corporation has invested CAD $5 million in The51 Food and AgTech Fund to support early-stage agriculture-focused startups addressing global food supply challenges.

Information on the Target

Alberta Enterprise Corporation has announced a significant investment of CAD $5 million into The51 Food and AgTech Fund, a Calgary-based venture fund aimed at supporting early-stage agriculture-focused startups. This initiative seeks to address crucial food-related climate and farming challenges while fostering sustainable global food supply practices. The51 is a women-led venture fund that brings together partners with extensive experience in operations, investment, and mentorship across various sectors, particularly food and agtech.

Before launching the Food and AgTech Fund, The51 successfully raised over CAD $21 million, with an impressive 90 percent of this capital sourced from women investors. Their inaugural fund has a track record of investing in notable Alberta startups, such as female-founded enterprises like Virtual Gurus, Syantra, Mercator AI, Areto Labs, and True Angle. The Food and AgTech Fund represents The51's first institutional investment vehicle and is geared towards seed and early-stage ventures in agricultural biotechnology, farm innovation, automation, and food innovation.

Industry Overview in Canada

Canada stands as the fifth largest producer of agricultural commodities globally, signifying its essential role in addressing the pressing food demands of the future. With the global population projected to rise significantly over the next three decades