A new hub designed to accelerate innovation in Canada's agricultural sector has officially launched at the Stampede grounds in Calgary. Called AgSphere, the initiative is a collaborative effort between Calgary Economic Development and Olds College and has been operational for approximately two months.
Major Financial Backing for Agricultural Matchmaking
The city-owned Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) has committed a significant investment of up to $2.75 million over five years to support and establish the hub. The funding was announced at AgSphere's official launch event in early December 2025.
Chris Paterson, the executive director of AgSphere, described the hub as a physical "matchmaker" for the industry. It hosts events and compiles directories to streamline connections. "If we have an investor come in, we'll know which companies best suit that investor's goals," Paterson explained to reporters. The hub also serves as a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs considering a move to Calgary, offering clear pathways to academic resources, technology validation, capital, and networking events.
Connecting Farmers with Cutting-Edge Technology
The core mission of AgSphere is to breathe new life into the agricultural industry by consolidating disparate players and providing access to advanced technologies. Companies engaging with the hub will have the opportunity to explore and test innovations including artificial intelligence (AI), sensors, robotics, drones, and gene editing.
"How does it get applied to be a successful business? How does it get applied to be used on a farm?" Paterson said, outlining the practical questions AgSphere will help answer. "How hard is it to adopt new technology? How well does it synchronize with other technologies you're using?"
Olds College Partnership Provides Critical Validation and Training
A key component of AgSphere's offering is its partnership with Olds College of Agriculture & Technology. The college will provide companies with access to its research facilities and expertise to test and validate new technologies and equipment.
Todd Ormann, Vice-President of External Relations and Research at Olds College, highlighted the existing systems in place to support industry. "Through a combination of industry investment, provincial and federal investments, we can basically test and validate equipment," Ormann stated. The ultimate goal is to get proven technologies onto farms efficiently.
Furthermore, Olds College will offer related training and education, with the potential for courses to be delivered directly in Calgary to complement the college's main programs. Brad Parry, CEO and President of Calgary Economic Development, emphasized Calgary's growing role in the sector, noting that precision agriculture and advanced processing are increasingly centered in the region. "We talk to people around the world; all that stuff happens here now, and so it's an exciting time. That's why we started this," Parry told Postmedia.
