Create & Connect: AgTech Industry Night
About This Event
Six AgTech, Agri-Food, and sustainability founders pitched live to a panel of experienced judges for a $1,000 non-dilutive microgrant. Jenna Letain and the team at BeeSafe Biotech Inc. took home the win with rapid, field-deployable diagnostics that let beekeepers detect honey bee diseases in just 15 minutes — helping protect pollinators, strengthen food security, and support sustainable agriculture.
Judges
Martin Ciuk
Associate Director, Science & Engineering Technology Transfer, Innovate Calgary
LinkedIn →
Founders Who Pitched
Jenna Letain
BeeSafe Biotech Inc.
Rapid, field-deployable diagnostics that let beekeepers detect honey bee diseases directly at the hive in just 15 minutes — no sample shipping required — helping protect pollinators and support sustainable agriculture.
July 2026 Winner — $1,000 non-dilutive microgrant
Amirhossein Foroughi & Haden Harrison
Agrivanna
An AI-powered operating system for grazing agriculture, combining virtual fencing, intelligent pasture management, and offline-first hardware built for working ranches.
Grayden Wiebe
Grow Below Systems
Modular indoor farming technology that helps commercial growers reduce energy and labour costs while producing more food with fewer resources.
Mmakeng John Otsweleng
Scale-Up Electrochemical Inc.
An off-grid agrivoltaic platform combining solar energy, irrigated agriculture, livestock production, and circular food systems to improve food security across Southern Africa.
Ingrit Jaimes
Artilate Chocolate
Premium chocolate made with Alberta-grown proteins and fine-flavour cacao — a healthier indulgence that adds value to Alberta agriculture.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Event Highlights
Special shoutout to Artilate Chocolate for bringing samples for everyone to enjoy. Thank you to our judges — Martin Ciuk, Michael McGee, and Anthony Bellot — for their time, expertise, and thoughtful feedback.
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