Building agrifood innovation bridges between Europe and Canada
A new MoU between EIT Food and Agrisphere can drive a two-way flow of agrifood innovation, investment and impact
The global climate and the huge challenges we collectively face mean that forging collaborations between innovation ecosystems has never been more important.
EIT Food, Europe’s largest and most dynamic food innovation ecosystem, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Canadian organisation Agrisphere, who represent the new Calgary Agriculture and Food Innovation Hub.
“There is so much potential for both of our ecosystems to work more closely together for impact on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Canada’s federation is similar to the EU’s member state model: multilingual, multicultural, and founded on respect for diversity. Both regions share common values, aligned interests and complementary strengths – meaning collaborations between the two innovation ecosystems will bring benefits for the food system in both directions.
This MoU, signed on 16 October at EIT Food’s Next Bite event in Brussels, will explore collaboration in the design, development and implementation of the Hub. The initiative will take inspiration and insights from EIT Food’s extensive experience in developing high-performing food innovation networks across Europe.
“We are delighted to be exploring this collaboration with Agrisphere on development of the new Calgary Agriculture and Food Innovation Hub, said Richard Zaltzman, CEO of EIT Food. “There is so much potential for both of our ecosystems to work more closely together for impact on both sides of the Atlantic, and I hope that this MoU paves the way for us to go further together.”
Building pathways for transatlantic agrifood innovation
Initially, EIT Food and Agrisphere will cooperate during the design and development phase of the Hub, whose headquarters will be in Calgary, Western Canada. As part of this collaboration, EIT Food and Agrisphere will also explore mechanisms to support innovation and investment exchange between Europe and Canada.
This will include facilitating the two-way flow of agrifood innovators and ventures, enhancing farm-level productivity through co-creation initiatives, and collaboration via Horizon Europe.
“Trade between Canada and the EU’s agri-food sectors is accelerating. By collaborating to drive innovation faster and smarter, we can expand opportunities beyond commodities,' said Chris Paterson, Managing Director of Agrisphere.
"EIT Food’s proven innovation model will help Agrisphere connect Canada’s strong agri-tech ecosystem with global entrepreneurs, talent, and capital.”