Prairies Region – September 15, 2020 | Today, the winners of the Prairies Canadian Export Challenge Pitch Competitions for the startup and scale-up categories were announced. AGvisorPRO was named the winner of the Prairies CXC Pitch Competition for the startup category, taking home $2,500. The scale-up category winner, Nanotess, left with $5,000. Both businesses will have the opportunity to compete head-to-head against the other regional finalists for the grand prize, and the national title!
Red Deer-based company AGvisorPRO, Co-Founded by Patrick Walther and Robert Saik, aims to connect the agricultural community across the globe. Through the pay-for-service app, AGvisorPRO offers instant connectivity to industry experts across virtually all areas of crop and livestock management.
“AGvisorPRO is building the global go-to platform connecting farmers, independent advisors, industry, researchers, government and even the public to advance long-term sustainable food production. We have built a scalable business that can go internationally as well as into other verticals,” said Co-Founder Patrick Walther. “Winning the Canadian Export Challenge would help propel this vision into the world agriculture stage.”
Calgary-based company Nanotess, Co-Founded by Megan Leslie, is a nanotechnology company commercializing nanomolecule-enabled health care and decontamination products. They currently offer biocompatible and bioselective wound dressings for chronic wounds in both humans and animals.
“Two years ago, I attended the CXC event as a participant and remember watching the pitch contestants in the finale and hoping that I could stand on that stage one day,” said Megan Leslie, Co-Founder of Nanotess. “Even though the stage was virtual this year, the experience was incredible and the coordination of the event was amazing! Thank you Startup Canada for another fantastic event!”
“AGvisorsPRO and Nanotess are incredible examples of Canadian entrepreneurs pushing the limits of their industries and creating innovative solutions that can drastically help the product’s users,” said Kayla Isabelle, Executive Director of Startup Canada. “We are thrilled to see Patrick and Megan represent entrepreneurs from the Prairies at the Final Showdown in October.”
Presented by Startup Canada in collaboration with UPS, Export Development Canada, the Trade Commissioner Service, Mastercard, Scotiabank, Innovation Canada, CIPO, OSME, and Mitacs and powered by Google, last year’s Canadian Export Challenge showcased and supported more than 1,750 businesses to go global. This year, it’s going even further digitally to support rural and remote entrepreneurs from coast to coast to coast.
Patrick Walther and Megan Leslie are set to represent global companies from the Prairies on October 20th, where they will have the opportunity to pitch to win the grand prize.
If you missed it, watch the Prairies Regional Canadian Export Challenge here.
Follow the Canadian Export Challenge as it makes its other regional stops in Ontario, British Columbia and North, and Quebec over the next two weeks.
For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact:
Lauren Hicks
Media Relations, Startup Canada
905-531-1670
lauren.hicks@startupcan.ca
About Startup Canada
Startup Canada is the national rallying community and voice for Canada’s 2.3 million entrepreneurs. Since launching in 2012, Startup Canada has grown to represent more than 200,000 entrepreneurs and 50 grassroots communities from coast to coast to coast. Through digital programs and flagship events, Startup Canada is the network promoting, inspiring, educating, connecting and giving a voice to Canada’s entrepreneurs; supporting them to start, operate and scale businesses that build a better Canada for the world today and for future generations. For more information, visit www.startupcan.ca.