THRIVE Academy for Agri-Food Tech Startups – 2025

THRIVE Academy is focused on supporting pre-seed stage startups in the agrifood tech sector.

THRIVE Academy is a 12-week agrifood tech pre-accelerator program for agri-food early stage startups looking to commercialize their innovations. Our immersive program helps entrepreneurs de-risk and validate their ideas, develop and execute their go-to-market strategy, and prepare to raise capital.

Who Should Apply

We’re looking for promising founders with innovative ideas. Specifically we are looking for:

• Pre-seed to early seed-stage agrifood tech companies.
• Early stage innovators with ground breaking ideas for agrifood tech.

Program at a glance

Phase 1: Week 1 to 7

• Intensive virtual programming
• Mentorship
• Build a foundation for high-growth companies
• Prepare to become market and investor ready

Phase 2: Week 8 to 12

• Implement learnings
• Mentorship
• Demo Day & in-person immersion
• Feedback for future steps

Program Benefits

Through THRIVE Academy you’ll receive the tools and support to build a company foundation for scalable growth. Here are some of the tools and benefits:

• Acceleration
  The program is specifically designed to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey and accelerate rapid progress towards commercial outcomes.
• Mentorship
  We’ll match you with mentors from our extensive network of industry insiders, corporates, alumni and investors.
• Investment Readiness
  We’ll teach you the fundamentals of what founders need to be investment ready ensuring your highest chance at success when you seek outside funding.
• Validation
  We’ll help you test and validate your idea and make fast informed de-risked decisions that minimize your risk.
• Smart Farm Access
  You’ll have an opportunity to apply to get access to Old’s College Smart Farm & other PSI’s to evaluate, demonstrate, and validate your developing technology.
• Accelerator Opportunities
  Selected startups will have the opportunity to graduate into THRIVE’s Canada or Global Accelerator programs.
• Partner Perks
  Gain access to over $3.5 million in exclusive perks and discounts from our network of leading industry partners, designed to accelerate your startup’s growth and success.

Interested in the Academy Program​?

Applications will be accepted throughout the year with two intakes per year.
One cohort will run September- November and the other cohort will run February- May.

Partners

The THRIVE Canada Academy’s successful execution is made possible through the generous support of the Alberta Scaleup and Growth Accelerator Program, managed by Alberta Innovates. This initiative is supported by a consortium including the Alberta Ministry of Technology & Innovation, Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), Alberta Innovates, Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) and Olds College. The THRIVE Canada Academy is further supported by Farm Credit Canada (FCC).

Program Partners

The THRIVE Academy is part of the Alberta Scaleup and Growth Accelerator Program which helps businesses scale, grow and contribute to a thriving innovation ecosystem in Alberta. The program is led by Alberta Innovates with funding support from Alberta Technology and Innovation and Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan). The Program contributes to the Alberta government’s goal to help create 20,000 jobs and increase technology firm revenue to $5 billion by 2030.

THRIVE acknowledges Farm Credit Canada (FCC/FAC) as a founding partner of its Canadian operations.