Our current food systems account for around 25% to 30% of global emissions, and about one-third when we include all agricultural products. Transforming these entrenched models is a must as we collectively aim towards a net-zero, nature-positive, inclusive and equitable bio-economy. Agri-food innovators are a key pathway to system change.
In collaboration with the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, the Centre for Building Sustainable Value, with the leadership of Oana Branzei, has launched the “Regenerator”, a stream within the Western Accelerator dedicated to agri-food start-ups that exemplify the World Economic Forum’s call to “regenerate the future”.
Program design
The Regenerator is an impact-driven program aimed at accelerating the growth of ventures who give back more than they take. Through a 16-week intensive program, selected ventures receive hands-on mentorship and educational training from in-house experts and industrial partners as they act on the twin critical issues of decarbonization and biodiversity conservation.
The program is designed to distill world-leading practices into actionable strategies, enabling entrepreneurs to accelerate and scale the life cycles of their ventures. These agri-tech innovators will contribute to the 2030 agenda and 2050 plans by advancing bio-circularity, regeneration, sustainable impact, and system change through experiential learning.
Commencing in Fall 2024, the Regenerator will:
- Provide embedded live in-person delivery of modules on four key sustainability topics to help all future cohorts of ventures think and act in ways that “regenerate the future”;
- Fund a total of 8 agri-food ventures for four months of full-time programming.
- Match ventures with industry-leading mentors for additional support.
In addition to these 8 ventures funded directly by the Regenerator, the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship may also support additional regenerative ventures. All supported ventures and mentors are featured below.
Featured ventures
XATOMS
Commercializing the world’s most efficient visible light-activated photocatalysts to clean polluted water from the toughest contaminants.
THE EASY SNACK
Improving healthy food standards by connecting local farms and communities together in a method that is environmentally and economically sustainable.
EDIE FARMING
The first urban commercial rooftop greenhouse in Ontario powered by solar, run by AI creating a new food system in Toronto.
CENTRO AGRICOLA LIMITED
Specializes in sustainable urban agriculture, utilizing innovative methods like soilless production systems and waste-to-agriculture conversion to grow crops in city environments.
BEAVOS
On a mission to revitalize your kids' shoes by
offering adjustable, comfortable, quality footwear
offered on a subscription model for your fast-growing
little ones.
GOYOKI
3D-printed bags designed and produced in Canada, using biobased filaments coupled with artisinal craftsmanship; embracing a future where fashion and responsibility coexist.
CARBFARM
CarbFarm’s goal is to assist and incentivize farmers to implement regenerative agriculture practices that enhance both soil health and carbon sequestration.
FRNDO SOLUTIONS INC.
Flagship innovation, the Clean Incinerator, is a compact, energy-efficient, and sustainable incineration system designed to reduce landfill size and impact.
Featured mentors
Raissa Espiritu, MBA
Managing Partner, Audaxa Ventures, and Executive-in-Residence, UCeed-Cenovus EDI Accelerator
Dave Marcus, MBA
Founder and President, AyA Kitchens and ABIDE
Andrew Fleet
Executive Director and Co-Founder, Growing Chefs! Ontario
Will Wang, HBA ’21
Co-Founder, Terra Optima Labs
Dan Nejman, HBA ’21
Co-Founder, Terra Optima Labs
Janan McNaughton, PhD
Co-Owner, Proof Line Farm
Embracing the BSV Centre’s mission of shaping pathways of systems change towards an ecologically sound and fair future in agri-tech, the Regenerator will empower the next generation of leaders to reimagine and reshape the economy in ways that recognize and respect nature.
This initiative impacts advances Ivey’s key pillars of programming and outreach. On the programming side, the Regenerator develops and deploys action-ready modules that rapidly and effectively translate the world-leading expertise from Ivey faculty, staff and alumni to Western students and community members determined to make a difference. On the outreach side, the initiative furthers Ivey’s mandate to conduct and disseminate impactful research to a growing range of stakeholders. By twinning industry innovation with academic research, this university-wide endeavour leverages Professor Oana Branzei’s thought and practice leadership on regeneration to advance Ivey Business School’s strategic priorities and Western’s global standing on the United Nations Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME).
This initiative gives substance and momentum to Ivey's new strategy, Ivey Next, by emphasizing and synergizing two of the three critical issues (Sustainability and Canada's Place in the World) central to Ivey's Mission statement. The Regenerator directly, immediately, and concretely addresses five of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by contributing to goals 2,13,14,15, and 17.
Featured success stories
- Xatoms founders, Shirley Zhong, Diana Virgovicova and Kerem Topalismailoglu recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Read article
- Xatoms took home top prize at the South by Southwest (SXSW) pitch competition in Austin, Texas. Read article
- Edie Farming receives $120,000 prize at the DMZ’s 2025 Women Innovation Summit. Read article
- Centro Agricola Ltd, Xatoms, Edie Farming and The Easy Snack were featured panelists at the Partnering for a Greener Future Conference. Read social post
- The Easy Snack placed 3rd in the video pitch category at the Stu Clark Venture Championships. Read social post
- Xatoms wins Startupfest, named Hult Prize finalist. Read article / Read article