Expanding into North America's Agrifood and Agtech Market: Opportunities and Strategies for Success

Explore how Asia-based companies can leverage Canada as a launchpad into North America’s massive agriculture and agritech market. From R&D partnerships to product development, this session will provide practical advice from industry experts and company executives.

Canadian Chambers of Commerces in Indo-Pacific, including CCCJ, present "Expanding into North America's Agrifood and Agtech Market: Opportunities and Strategies for Success", led by Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (CanCham Singapore) in partnership with the Saskatchewan Singapore Office.

Date: Thursday, June 22, 2023

Time: 10:00am - 11:30am JST Zoom

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-_6HPXsMSSOVfKr8ju11Fg#/regi...

The program will cover topics including:   

1. Innovative Solutions for Global Food Production: GIFS' Research Capabilities and Industry Partnership Opportunities Speaker: Dr. Steve Webb, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Global Institute for Food Security

2. Transforming Canadian Crops into Cutting-Edge Products: The Food Center's Expertise and Support for Global Agri-businesses Speaker: Mehmet Tulbek, President Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre 

3. Commercializing Cutting-Edge Technologies and Innovation in Agriculture and Food: The Role of Ag-West Bio and the Global Agri-Food Advancement Partnership Speaker: Susan Jorgense, Program and Partnerships Manager Global Agri-food Advancement Partnership

4. Why Saskatchewan, Canada is a Prime Location for Agri-food and Ag-tech Companies: Insights from a Fast-Growing Startup Speaker: Masood Rizvi, General Manager NRGene Canada 

Who should attend:  Innovative food and ingredient companies, Food technology and supply chain firms, Crop and animal agriculture biotechnology firms, Farm robotics and equipment suppliers, Farm management software and sensing solutions providers, Agriculture and food scientists, Incubators, accelerators, and venture capital firms focused on the agriculture and food industry, Economic development organizations and industry associations.

Speakers

Dr. Steven Webb | Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer·Global Institute for Food Security

Steven joined the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) as Chief Executive Officer in 2019, following a 23-year career with Corteva Agriscience (formerly Dow AgroSciences) in Indiana, United States. His most recent role at Corteva was Research and Development Director of External Technology, where he led many research collaborations with private sector companies, research institutes and universities around the world. Steven earned a PhD in immunochemistry (1998), a Master’s degree in biochemistry (1992) and a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology (1990) from the University of Guelph, Ontario.

Susan Jorgensen | Program and Partnerships Manager·Global Agri-food Advancement Partnership

Susan was born and raised on the Canadian Prairies, and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a BSA in Food Science. Susan believes that food is the great connector. Her passion for food ranges from growing and cooking, to innovation and philosophy. In her role as Program and Partnerships Manager at the Global Agri-Food Advancement Partnership, Susan is driven to support founder success through building connections and fostering collaboration. When she’s not thinking about food, Susan enjoys fiercely competitive Uno with her 3 boys, and walking the family dogs with her husband.

Mehmet Tulbek | President·Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre

Mehmet Tulbek is the President of Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre and is responsible to the Board of Directors for the strategy, planning, management, control and the evaluation of The Centre. Mehmet has been a research, technology, and innovation leader with over 20 years of pulses, cereals, oilseeds and plant-based foods’ global research & development, technical services, business development, international technical education, and management experience. Mehmet completed his B.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering with emphasis in Food Science and Technology at Ankara University, and his M.Sc. in Food Engineering at Istanbul Technical University in Turkey. He then moved to the United States to pursue his Ph.D. in Cereal Science at North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. Before joining Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre, Mehmet served as the Director of Research and Development at AGT Food and Ingredients in Saskatoon, Canada, and worked at Northern Crops Institute (NCI) as Crop Quality Specialist and then as Technical Director. Mehmet previously served as a board member in Ameriflax, Northern Pulse Growers Association, Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre and Red River College Prairie Research Kitchen organizations. Mehmet is a sought-after presenter at global industry and academic gatherings, and has authored several journal articles, book chapters, proceedings and two provisional patents. Mehmet is a member of multiple organizations including Institute of Food Technologists, American Oil Chemists Society, Canadian Nutrition Society, Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists and Cereals & Grains Association (former AACC). He currently serves as Adjunct Professor at the University Of Saskatchewan Department Of Food and Bioproduct Sciences and the University of Manitoba Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences.