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AVAC Ltd.

AVAC Ltd. is an Alberta-based, not-for-profit, private company that invests in innovative ideas that build the economic viability of Alberta's agrivalue and renewable resource ventures.

Eligibility Criteria

Alberta companies, academic and research organizations, and stakeholders in the value-added industry.

Summary

AVAC Ltd. is an Alberta-based, not-for-profit, private company that invests in innovative ideas that build the economic viability of Alberta's agrivalue and renewable resource ventures. AVAC's goal is to help the Province attain agrivalue sales worth $20 billion dollars annually by 2010. AVAC Ltd. aids its clients in building the three types of capital required to grow successful businesses: Managerial, Intellectual, and Financial.

Investment Programs

AVAC provides financial resources to support the growth of agrivalue^TM through four programs:

1.  Idea Builder Program: a streamlined program for projects requiring up to $25,000 in matching investment.

• Idea Builder provides quick access to seed capital for smaller-scale projects that add value to agricultural commodities.
• Applicants are requested to provide matching funds.
• Approximate turnaround time from receipt of application to disbursement is four weeks.
• Usually helps evaluate project and market feasibility of an agrivalue^TM idea.

2.  Pre-Commercial and Entrepreneurial Program: investments over $25,000 supporting projects that increase agrivalue sales.

• Proposals must clearly involve adding value to agricultural commodities.
• Proposals are based on innovative ideas and projects.
• Applicants are requested to provide matching funds.
• Projects may include product development, market assessments, establishing samples or prototypes and business plan development.

3.  Research and Strategic Initiatives: investments through organizations to attract agrivalue expertise and fund research and development.

• Assistance to Alberta-based academic or research institutions in the recruitment or retention of scientists and researchers engaged in agrivalue-added activities.
• Assistance for specific research and development initiatives, which are focused on new or enhanced agrivalue-added products and services.
• Assistance is available for specific projects such as feasibility studies and prototype development, leading to commercialization of agrivalue-added products and services.

4.  Knowledge Investment Program a program for public good projects requiring up to $25,000 in matching investment.

• Projects that advance agrivalue^TM knowledge within the province
• Projects may include seminars, trade shows or workshops within AVAC's four focus areas
• Project benefits are widely shared with industry stakeholders in Alberta

To directly stimulate agrivalue^TM growth towards Alberta's $20 billion goal, we invest in the following four focus areas:

1. New and enhanced food products
2. Wellness products, such as nutraceuticals
3. Industrial or non-food applications, such as cosmetics, animal feeds etc.
4. New technologies that enable value-added agriculture

Knowledge and Collaboration

AVAC works with knowledge providers to link entrepreneurs and new venture developers with the knowledge they need to make their ideas grow.

Visit the Internet site at http://www.avacltd.com for additional information or to obtain an application form.

Alberta Contact(s):

Edmonton Research Park
213 Advanced Technology Centre