Fresh Field Catalyst: An IFPA Technology Accelerator

Help feed the future with technology.

Does your company have a technology that can advance climate-smart practices in the produce industry?

The produce and floral industry needs innovative solutions to major sector challenges including labor shortages, the climate crisis, and water and resource scarcity. Startups and companies outside of produce may have solutions to these critical problems.

The accelerator is a six-month program for global companies to bring in innovative technical solutions. The program will recruit 10-12 startup companies at the scale-up phase along with corporates interested in entering the produce market from around the world.

Fresh Field Catalyst Innovation Partners

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should apply to this program?

We are looking for companies with technology products that solve problems in Climate Smart Agriculture for the produce industry. We will evaluate a wide range of innovative and scalable technologies connected to the production, manufacturing, logistics and distribution of food and agricultural products in the produce industry. These technologies should increase productivity in the produce supply chain, help farms and the produce supply chain adapt to climate change and reduce emissions. Companies need to be in the late stage of trials or have a product in the market and receiving revenue. Products can be in any market outside agriculture or in row crops and/or the produce industry outside the US. Companies with sales in the produce industry, in the US, would not benefit from the program and do not qualify. Products need to be ready to launch, generate revenue and scale in the produce market within two years. Funding stage is not a factor, but companies need to have funding to pay for two programs in California. The program is free with participants paying their travel expenses. We take no equity and there is no funding provided from IFPA.

What does the program look like?

The program is a unique opportunity for start-ups, scale-ups, and corporations to learn about the produce industry and how to enter this market. The program includes:

One week immersion program on the U.S. West Coast (field visits, corporate visits)
Bi-weekly virtual meet-ups with industry experts (growers, shippers, IFPA staff) on topics relating to industry statistics, tech success and failure stories, challenges and access to funding
Access to IFPA proprietary data and analytics
Support to translate technology to agriculture or U.S. market
1-1 mentoring from IFPA members
Shared exhibit space with other members of the cohort and introductions to industry leaders at the Global Produce and Floral Show, Anaheim, California, October 19-21.
For companies eligible for SBIR funding, IFPA subject matter experts will offer guidance on the application process

What are the benefits of participation?

The Fresh Fields Catalyst Accelerator is a unique opportunity to connect and engage with relevant members of the fresh produce industry and learn directly from them how technology solutions can work best.

How does the application process work?

You can apply to the program by filling in the application form which closes on 3/20/23. Once received, your application will be reviewed by our team and a selection committee.
Shortlisted companies will attend a video conference meeting to discuss their goals and objectives of participation in the program.
10-12 companies will be selected and notified 4/3/23 - 4/10/23 and will be expected to attend the immersion week program in California 5/7/23 -5/12/23.

What am I committing to if I join this program?

You are committing to a senior team member from your company traveling to the U.S. West Coast for a one-week immersion program, on the week of May 7, 2023.
You are committing to a senior team member participating in video conference meetings twice per month for the duration of the six-month program.
You are committing to a senior team member participating at the Global Fresh Produce Show in Anaheim, CA on October 19-21, 2023.
No fees are required for any of these events but travel costs and associated expenses are the responsibility of the participating company.

Are there any travel funds?

No. If you are selected to participate in the Fresh Fields Catalyst Accelerator, you must be in a position to fund your own travel and accommodation for the key events you will be required to attend.

IFPA will assist by arranging blocks of hotel rooms to be available for participants in the program, but participants are expected to cover their own room and board.

Can I apply if our company and founders are not from the USA?

Yes, we welcome global applicants that are interested in engaging with the fresh produce industry in the U.S.

Will the information I submit be treated as confidential?

Please do not submit any business plans, trade secrets, or “secret sauce.” Your application must include only non-confidential information. All information disclosed to us in your application will be considered non-confidential public information. IFPA will only treat information as confidential if the information is covered by a formal, written confidentiality agreement signed by IFPA prior to disclosure.

Is IFPA going to invest in the participating companies?

IFPA will not invest in any of the companies participating in the company and does not require any commitment of equity. The network and connections from IFPA may open investment opportunities.

2022 Cohort Alumni

Provision - Calgary, Canada

Routeique Inc – Calgary, Canada

Nexus Robotics - Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Canada

Ten Carbon Chemistry Pty Ltd – Melbourne, Australia

Morphix Technologies – Virginia Beach, United States

Netled – Prikkala, Finland

Clarifruit – Rishon Le’zion, Israel

DiMuto - Singapore

The Yield Technology Solutions Pty Ltd – Sydney, Australia

Vitiport – Bratislava, Slovakia

SoundAg – Emeryville, United States

CarbonSpaceTech – Dublin, Ireland

2022 Mentors

Gary Wishnatzki, CEO, Wish Farms

Judy Clark, CEO, Fresh From Texas, LLC

Jennifer Petersen, EVP / Chief Science Officer, Sun World International

Andy Hamilton, CEO, Markon

Jan DeLyser, Vice President Marketing at California Avocado Commission

Scott Komar, Senior Vice President of Global R&D, Driscoll’s

Ted Taylor, Head of New Ventures & Business Development at Taylor Farms

Curtis Garner, COO, Co-Founder Verdant Robotics

Max Teplitski, CSO, IFPA

Dorn Wenninger, Sr VP Produce UNFI

Dave Vosburg, Chief Innovation Officer, Local Bounti

Questions?

Vonnie Estes

VP, Technology

International Fresh Produce Association

+1(650)666-9006 Email Vonnie Estes

Industry sponsorship opportunities

Peter S. Wilder

Sales and Engagement Manager

International Fresh Produce Association

+1(302)607-2115 Email Peter S. Wilder

Fresh Field Catalyst

an IFPA Technology Accelerator