A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY
BY IAN DOIG • PHOTO COURTESY OF AMY JANCEWICZ
Vancouver’s ClimateDoor helps clean technology companies raise capital, access government grants and create business partnerships at home and abroad. On a weeklong Team Canada Trade Mission in February, the business developer co-ordinated meetings between Canadian clean tech and ag tech businesses and the Australian business community in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Then-federal trade minister Mary Ng led the mission, which was delivered by Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service.
These missions focus solely on the Indo-Pacific Region. Making Australia an attractive market for Canadian businesses, the countries have similar economies and farm sectors. They also enjoy a free trade agreement that supports easy business relations.
Of the 39 companies represented on the mission, 16 work in ag tech, including three with Alberta headquarters. They include Alberta Veterinary Laboratories, Animal HealthLink and Sultech Global Innovations. Immediately following the mission, eight of the 39 Canadian companies reported they had already established business connections.
Australian companies unable to meet with the delegation continue to contact ClimateDoor to request introductions, said its director of growth, Ailton Schoemberger. “They really want to connect with Canadian companies,” he said. “We see this as just the beginning. I’m sure there will be more NDAs signed and future market development between the two countries.”
Schoemberger encouraged Canadian ag tech businesses to take part in future trade missions. “It is very important for Canadian companies to look into the resources Canada has to help them expand into the international market.”
Amy Jancewicz is president of CropVue Technologies, a seven-person Vancouver ag tech company that joined the mission. CropVue offers automated agricultural scouting with the use of automated insect traps, sensors and AI to support integrated pest management. She acknowledged international trade is in a time of change and praised the federal government for its work to strengthen existing relationships and pursue diversification. “The Canadian government has been doing a very good job of connecting financial resources, but also human resources, making sure we’re getting the right connections to potentially interested parties within Canada and abroad.”
Australia strongly emphasizes biosecurity, which makes it a natural fit for CropVue with its pest related technology, said Jancewicz. Its system can detect the arrival of non-native insect pests. She added the two Commonwealth nations have similar cultural outlooks and mutually low barriers to entry for business. “The Australian people were incredibly welcoming to our delegation. It was wonderful to learn how the country’s business practices are conducted.”
Joining the mission, Jancewicz had hoped to measure receptiveness for CropVue and identify groups and individuals interested in testing the service. Importantly, the company also needed to determine if cellular connectivity is adequate in crop growing areas. CropVue has since set up pilot projects with local partners to validate its use in Australia. The mission also helped the company identify a potential customer base of farmers and agronomists.
Jancewicz would eagerly join a future mission and strongly recommends businesses interested in international export do the same. She suggested participants familiarize themselves with a marketplace in advance as they will meet potential collaborators, distributors and employees. And be prepared for the hard work new connections may bring. “While the trade missions are really helpful for getting your feet on the ground, they’re only the first step to the work ahead.”
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