Sponsor Information for The 2016 Goal for Award - $30,000 For further information, contact: Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce Judy Rafuse or a Member of the Agriculture Committee Box 314 Kentville, Nova Scotia B4N 3X1 Tel: 902-678-4634 Fax: 902-678-5448 Email: executivedirector@annapolisvalleychamber.ca Fostering Growth and Innovation in Annapolis Valley www.annapolisvalleychamber.ca
AVCC s Agriculture Innovation Accelerator Award 2016 Sponsor Information Introduction The agriculture and agri-food sector has always been innovative in running their businesses, adapting practices and looking for partners to compete in the local, national and global economy. To recognize and support this innovative spirit, the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce created the AVCC s Agriculture Innovation Accelerator Award. This annual program recognizes outstanding agriculture and agrifood related innovators including producers, processors, suppliers and organizations. The award is intended to help the successful applicant move their project forward to the next phase of development. Award recipients will also receive use of the AVCC s Agriculture Innovation Accelerator Award wordmark to support their marketing efforts. The recipient of the 2016 awards will be recognized at events across the Annapolis Valley in 2016 and 2017. Objectives The objectives of the AVCC s Agriculture Innovation Accelerator Award is to: recognize innovators in the agriculture and agrifood sector foster innovation in the agriculture and agri-food sector raise awareness about the importance of innovation in agriculture and its impact on the Annapolis Valley economy Provide assistance for innovators to be able to move their projects to the next level of development Why Become a Sponsor? The AVCC and sponsors see the award as an opportunity to promote growth in our area. The award is targeted to assist a local innovator to advance development of their project. By coming together and combining our resources, the contribution will be a significant benefit to the innovator. This also as an opportunity to increase the profile of the area to Government, investors, innovators and the business community. The award will be promoted by: Media interviews and press releases Direct email through various business and industry groups Advertising Facebook and other social media Promotion of the winner The Award will be the centerpiece for the AVCC Quarterly dinner in September. Award Sponsorship Opportunities Contributors to the award may contribute cash or services that would relevant to the development of an innovations potential. Sponsorships will be recognized based on the level of their contribution. While services are as valuable as cash, please consider a cash sponsorship, if possible. These levels of sponsorship and recognition are: Platinum - $5,000 and over Gold - $3,000 and over Silver - $2,500 and over Bronze - $1,000 and over Support innovation and awareness of the benefits of our business community by participating in this award. Supporter Under $1,000
Additional Award Information The Guidebook and application for 2016 are currently being revised and should be launched in January 2016. Eligibility Criteria Individuals, groups or businesses are eligible to apply under the program if they are developing an idea, process, product or service that will result in a unique benefit the agriculture economy in the Annapolis Valley. To qualify the individual, group or business must: be located in the area serviced by the AVCC be prepared to utilize the award to advance the development of innovation outlined in the application Innovation areas may include: Examples of innovation areas include but are not limited to: improved business practices improvements in the equipment used in the agriculture and agri-food industry application of technology to the agriculture and agri-food industry response to consumer demands (e.g. new product development, value added, marketing, strategic alliances, local food) environmental stewardship energy and bio-economy health and safety food safety and traceability education and marketing of the agriculture and food industry to society Selection Process The following process will be used to select the AVCC s Agriculture Innovation Accelerator Award recipients: Applications will be received at AVCC Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and forwarded for consideration by an independent review panel established by the AVCC The panel will select up to three applications as finalists for subsequent review The top entries selected with give a presentation to a separate panel of judges. They will select the winner based on the original application and the presentation. Assessment Criteria The following criteria will be used to assess applications: Uniqueness and Originality - Refers to historical information of where the innovation originated and the uniqueness of design or style utilized to produce the innovation. Impact or Benefit - Refers to the economic and/or social benefit to Annapolis Valley s agriculture sector resulting from the innovation. Resources Refers to the resources available to the applicant to further the development of the innovation in the application. Benefit of the Award Refers to the ability of the award to significantly advance the development of the innovation in the application. Additional consideration may be given to: Development - Refers to the extent to which the idea or concept has been thought through to completion. Consideration may be given to the stage of development i.e. emerging through to mature. Adoption and/or Commercialization - Refers to the degree of success (or potential for success) of adoption by other agri-food businesses or the commercialization and marketing of the innovation. Broader Use - The innovation must have potential for use on a broader basis and be able to demonstrate the potential for having a positive effect on the agricultural industry.
Sponsorship Level Details BENEFIT MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION POSTER NAME IN RADIO ADS PLATINUM GOLD SILVER BRONZE SUPPORTER $5,000 $3,000 $2,500 $1,000 $100 Yes Yes Yes DISPLAY AT DINNER Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes BANNER AT DINNER POWER POINT AT MEETING MENTION DURING MEETING MEETING PROGRAM SIGN FOR WINNER S FUTURE PRESENTATIONS Yes Yes Yes Yes Logo Logo Logo Name Name Yes + Bio Yes + Bio Yes + Bio Yes Logo Logo Logo Name Name Logo Logo Logo Name DINNER TICKETS 2 2 1 1 AWARD WEB PAGE Logo Logo Name Name
2015 Winner Congratulations to FROSTBYTE INTERACTIVE INC. (AERHYVE DIVISION) Aerhyve (Frostbyte Interactive Inc.) acquires and analyzes multi-sensor data from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of crop management. Their software uses Machine Learning, a form of Artificial Intelligence, to detect and isolate specific crop characteristics. These include everything from high yield areas to critical anomalies such as under-productive areas and invasive weeds. Winning is so much more than just an affirmation of our hard work. It s a demonstration of the commitment to innovation here in the Annapolis Valley. This award is an important stepping stone in our ability to create and retain high-value jobs in Nova Scotia. With increasing populations, lack of land, and the environmental stresses of climate change, smarter farming is not merely technical innovation; it s necessary innovation, and we re excited to be at the forefront of this global effort! JOHN FROST, President, Frostbyte Interactive Inc. The other finalists included: TapRoot Fibre Lab Develop small scale machinery to process flax into fine linen yarn Colibri Software, Inc. Use Internet of Things technology to move agriculture data to the cloud Domaine de Grand Pre Pomme d Or Apple Cream Liquor market development Randsland Farms Inc. Explore products and market for dried Kale products Wolfville Farmers Market Design and create software for an on-line Wolfville Farmers Market Store The agriculture and agri-food sector has always been innovative in running their businesses, adapting practices and looking for partners to compete in the local, national and global economy. To recognize and support this innovative spirit, the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce created the AVCC s Agriculture Innovation Accelerator Award. This annual program recognizes outstanding agriculture and agrifood related innovators including producers, processors, suppliers and organizations. The award is intended to help the successful applicant move their project forward to the next phase of development. The six finalists compete for an innovation award of over $30,000 in cash and services demonstrate the diversity and creativity found in the Annapolis Valley agriculture industry. The annual award is open to farmers, processors, suppliers and organizations with innovative ideas and projects that will advance their business or the industry as a whole.
2014 Winner of the Award HILLCREEK FAMILY FARM "The award winners Hillcreek Family Farm (Theo & Rosalie) were overwhelmed and were very thankful to the committee for having the insight to create an award to help move innovations forward." - Gary Morton The other finalists included: The Atlantic Wine Institute a wine analysis laboratory for use by industry to ensure the utmost quality of Nova Scotia wine Colibri Software Inc. a geo-located data collection system, which will help farmers of any scale collect and manage crop data and make better management decisions Frostbyte Interactive Inc. unmanned aerial vehicles to provide advertising, marketing and research opportunities for agricultural operations through high-quality videography and photography Randsland Farms Inc. raised-bed plasticulture and dual trickle irrigation planting system for Southern greens (kale, collard, turnip and mustard) to meet emerging export markets Stewart s Organic Farm a malt house to facilitate the use of locally grown organic grains in local craft beers 2013 Winner of the Award HARVEST HAND NEW MEDIA COMMUNITIES What does this award mean to you? "Even though the Harvest Hand software product has been under development for the past four year, this happened to be our first major undertaking as a new partnership. The award helped us get our vision for the company, and really solidified us as a work group. Winning is huge for us, but the process was incredibly valuable too. Practically speaking, the package offered by this award offers tremendous resources to help us in the early phase of our business. Incorporation, maturing our business plan, accessing support on business development in general, and capital to allow us to hire our first employee are all items that this award will help us achieve in short order. Harvest Hand