Growing the Future

Angels in Agriculture: Funding the Future of Farming

Episode Summary

What happens when farmers, founders, and angel investors start building the future together? In this episode, we explore ag-tech, angel investing, and why agriculture needs more ownership in the innovation economy.

Episode Notes

In this episode of the Growing the Future Podcast, Dan sits down with a prairie-based entrepreneur and investor helping unlock a new wave of ag-tech innovation across Western Canada.

The conversation spans angel investing, Startup TNT, and the roots of prairie innovation — from early farm accounting software and fertilizer exits to today’s venture-backed ag-tech startups. Along the way, we dig into a powerful idea: agriculture doesn’t just need better technology, it needs farmers back in the innovation value chain as owners, not just test pilots.

This episode also reflects on the Yorkton Harvest Showdown Ag Tech Pitch, where Dan and his guest recently connected with emerging founders — several of whom will be featured in upcoming episodes.

If you’re a farmer, founder, investor, or someone curious about how ag-tech actually gets built and funded, this conversation offers a grounded, honest look at capital, community, and purpose-driven investing.

Key Topics / Bullets (Optional but recommended)

Angel investing in agriculture

Startup TNT and prairie startup ecosystems

The legacy of AgExpert and early ag innovation

Why farmers are losing equity in the value chain

Purpose, responsibility, and investing in community

How ag-tech startups actually get funded

Startup TNT: https://www.startuptnt.com

Growing the Future Podcast: https://www.growingthefuturepodcast.ca