Cultivator

What Cultivator does

Cultivator is a non-profit technology incubator and accelerator headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan, founded in 2019 and wholly owned by Conexus Credit Union. The organization runs a staged program portfolio (START, BUILD, GROW, SCALE) for general tech founders and a dedicated AGTECH ACCELERATOR launched in 2022 in partnership with Economic Development Regina and Emmertech, which provides equity investment at intake to agtech companies from Canada and the UK. Supporting programming includes the Million Acres producer network, Mentor Madness, 24 Hour Startup hackathons, Startup Summit, Founder's Retreat, and Community Night, delivered through in-person blocks at Regina HQ, virtual sessions, and showcases at Ag in Motion.

The underlying platform is operational rather than technological: Cultivator does not develop proprietary technology products but curates mentorship, capital, and partner services (legal from McKercher LLP, accounting from MNP, marketing from Strategy Lab, export support from STEP). Its technology layer consists of standard program management, a website (cultivator.ca), and social channels, with no disclosed APIs, SDKs, or AI systems.

The business model is unusual for a startup support entity: programs are provided at no cost to participating startups, and Cultivator generates economic returns indirectly through equity stakes in portfolio companies held at the Conexus Venture Capital level ($30M Fund #2). Operating capital is supplied by Conexus Credit Union and supplemented by government grants (Innovation Saskatchewan $300K, Prairies Economic Development Canada $900K). Since launch, 106+ startups have been incubated, and portfolio companies have collectively raised $210M+ in private capital and generated $100M+ in revenue.

Name

Cultivator

Legal name

Cultivator

Website

https://cultivator.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cultivator is a Regina-based tech incubator and accelerator powered by Conexus Credit Union, offering staged programs (START, BUILD, GROW, SCALE) and a dedicated AGTECH ACCELERATOR for Canadian and UK agtech founders. It provides mentorship, equity-backed acceleration, and producer access at no cost to participating startups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubation and Acceleration Services

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

Keywords

• Startup incubation programs
• Tech accelerator services
• Agtech accelerator program
• Venture capital backing
• Founder mentorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Regina

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Accelerator Program Operations: Cultivator operates as a non-profit incubator/accelerator powered by Conexus Credit Union. Revenue is generated indirectly through equity returns in portfolio companies via Conexus Venture Capital, and through the success of startups that create economic impact in Saskatchewan. The organization does not charge fees to startups for participation.
2. Venture Capital Returns: Conexus Venture Capital (CVC) manages venture capital funds that invest in Cultivator portfolio companies. CVC Fund #2 is a $30M fund focused on Saskatchewan high-growth tech companies. Returns flow through the venture capital structure rather than directly to Cultivator.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cultivator is a Saskatchewan-based startup incubator and accelerator that runs staged programs (START, BUILD, GROW, SCALE) and a flagship venture capital-backed AGTECH ACCELERATOR to help founders validate ideas, build products, and scale tech and agtech companies. Programming is delivered at no cost to selected startups through cohort-based in-person blocks in Regina, virtual/hybrid sprints, mentorship, demo days, and showcases at events such as Ag in Motion. The organization is powered by Conexus Credit Union and supported by government and industry partners to provide non-dilutive and equity investment pathways.

Product overview

Cultivator, powered by Conexus, is a technology accelerator and incubator based in Regina, Saskatchewan that offers a multi-stage portfolio of programs designed to support tech startups from ideation through scale. The core product lineup includes START (pre-accelerator for early-stage founders with ideas), BUILD (for founders building their initial product), GROW (for companies scaling revenue), and SCALE (for high-growth companies preparing for expansion). A flagship offering is the AGTECH ACCELERATOR, a venture capital-backed program specifically for agtech startups that connects founders with farmers and funders, featuring virtual and in-person programming that culminates at the Ag in Motion expo. Supporting programs include the Million Acres project (connecting startups with producers across one million acres), Mentor Madness (speed mentorship sessions), and events like 24 Hour Startup, 24 Hour Startup | AGTECH, Startup Summit, Founder's Retreat, and Community Night. Since launching in 2019, Cultivator has incubated over 106 startups and claims companies have collectively raised over $115M in private capital.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AGTECH ACCELERATOR: A venture capital-backed accelerator program designed to unite founders, farmers and funders, offering opportunities for agtech startups to connect with influential players and lead innovation in solving agricultural challenges.

Products and services

• START Program A pre-accelerator program for early-stage tech startup founders with an idea, helping them validate their problem and understand their customer before building. Delivered to selected founders at no cost through cohort-based programming.
• BUILD Program A program for founders who have validated their problem and understand their customer, focused on creating an initial product, testing with real users, and generating traction without overbuilding. Delivered to selected founders at no cost.
• GROW Program An accelerator program for startups that have demonstrated product-market fit and are ready to scale their operations and revenue. Includes support for customer expansion, team building, and investment readiness.
• SCALE Program A program for high-growth companies that have achieved significant traction and are preparing for major expansion, large capital raises, or exit strategies. Delivered to selected founders at no cost.
• AGTECH ACCELERATOR A venture capital-backed accelerator program designed to unite founders, farmers, and funders for agtech startups. Accepts companies from Canada and the UK, provides equity investment at intake, runs virtual and in-person sessions, and concludes with a showcase at the Ag in Motion expo.
• 24 Hour Startup A hackathon-style event that brings entrepreneurs, developers, designers, and makers together to pitch ideas, form teams, and build a minimum viable product in 24 hours, with teams pitching to judges for prizes.
• 24 Hour Startup | AGTECH An agriculture-focused version of the 24 Hour Startup event, connecting agtech innovators with developers and entrepreneurs to build solutions to real agricultural problems; held at agricultural events including Canada's Farm Show and Canadian Western Agribition.
• Startup Summit A two-day annual summit in Regina that facilitates meaningful connections among founders, mentors, and investors across North America, featuring workshops, keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
• Founder's Retreat A quarterly two-day closed-door working experience designed for Prairie founders to create clarity, momentum, and real progress in their businesses.
• Million Acres Project An initiative that brings producers and founders together by creating a network representing one million acres around the world, connecting agtech startups with farmers and ranchers from various regions, climates, and nations for feedback and collaboration.
• Community Night An annual celebration of founder success and innovation in Saskatchewan, bringing the startup community together to celebrate progress and milestones.

Quantifiable outcome

• 106+ startups incubated since 2019
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Ag in MotionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026Western Canada's largest outdoor farm show. AGTECH ACCELERATOR Finale Week is hosted at Ag in Motion, where cohort companies demo products and pitch to investors in front of agricultural professionals.
• Glacier Farm MediamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 February 2026Featured in 'Welcome to the Farm Show' docuseries filmed at Ag in Motion, spotlighting agtech innovation. Provides media exposure for AGTECH ACCELERATOR and portfolio companies.
• Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2025Signed Memorandum of Understanding to advance entrepreneurship in the Saskatchewan agri-food industry, combining expertise in food processing and startup support.
• Canadian Western AgribitionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2023Support partner for Canadian Animal Agtech Awards presented by Deloitte. AGTECH ACCELERATOR alumni have won multiple awards at Agribition. Partnership enables startup showcase at major agricultural event.
• C100minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 August 2023Partnership provides opportunities for Cultivator and Conexus VC companies to connect with Canadian investors, builders, operators, and mentors from around the globe.
• Olds College of Agriculture & TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2023Signed MOU to establish a global agricultural tech hub in the prairie provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, combining resources for agtech innovation.
• WHIN (Wabash Heartland Innovation Network)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 April 2023Pilot partnership between Innovation Saskatchewan, WHIN, and Cultivator to further support agricultural technology development and economic growth in the province.
• UFA Co-operativeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2023Strategic collaboration delivering benefits including access to critical innovators in agriculture industry and a pipeline to regional, national, and global startups.
• University of Saskatchewan (USask)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2022Signed MOU with Agtech Accelerator to accentuate the university's role in the innovation ecosystem, providing academic and research opportunities.
• University of ReginaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2022Research and academic partner helping find solutions for global agricultural challenges while providing academic and research opportunities for students.
• McKercher LLPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 25 October 2022Legal In-Residence partner providing market-focused legal advice and scalable legal solutions to Cultivator startups throughout all stages of company growth. Partnership renewed for two years.
• MNPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 4 May 2022Accounting In-Residence partner providing expert financial guidance to Cultivator founders. Partnership renewed for another two years after supporting startups for four years.
• Discovery FarmminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2022Media and Innovation Partner for the Agtech Accelerator, providing access to agricultural innovation showcase and media exposure opportunities.
• Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 February 2022Market Expansion In-Residence partner helping Cultivator companies explore opportunities for growth globally and navigate international market expansion.
• Innovate UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 November 2021Global agtech partnership accelerating cultivation of agtech innovation internationally. Brings UK companies into AGTECH ACCELERATOR cohorts and enables cross-border collaboration.
• Economic Development Regina (EDR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2021Co-founded the AGTECH ACCELERATOR program with Cultivator and Emmertech. EDR provides industry connections and economic development support, helping solidify Saskatchewan as a global agtech hub.
• Strategy LabmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 28 May 2021Marketing In-Residence partner helping startups stand out through branding and website support. Brings knowledge and experience in marketing to help startups build their presence.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SparkLabs Cultiv8: Agtech and foodtech accelerator backed by a venture fund with global cohort structure. Comparable to Cultivator in delivering venture capital-backed acceleration, mentorship, and follow-on funding for agrifood startups.
• The Yield Lab: Global network of agtech-focused accelerators (US, Latin America, Europe, Asia). Comparable to Cultivator's AGTECH ACCELERATOR in offering equity investment to cohorts, structured mentorship, and ag-industry access for portfolio companies.
• SVG Ventures (THRIVE AgTech): Global accelerator and venture platform focused on agtech and agrifood founders. Directly comparable to Cultivator's AGTECH ACCELERATOR in mission (early-to-growth agtech acceleration), cohort-based model, and investor-demonstration showcase format.

Regional players

• Velocity (University of Waterloo): University-affiliated incubator/garage in Waterloo supporting student and alumni founders. Comparable to Cultivator's pre-seed and BUILD stages in providing early-stage founder support, mentorship, and demo events, though anchored to a university rather than a corporate parent.
• Platform Calgary: Calgary-based tech innovation hub running founder programs and ecosystem events. Functionally comparable to Cultivator's regional hub model (community, mentors, events, cohort-style programming) but serving the Calgary ecosystem rather than Saskatchewan.

Emerging players

• Founder Institute: Global pre-seed accelerator running cohorts for idea- and early-stage founders worldwide. Comparable to Cultivator's START and BUILD in targeting pre-product-market-fit founders, with similar mentorship-driven cohort design and demo days.

Broad incumbents

• Creative Destruction Lab: Global pre-seed accelerator focused on massively scalable science- and technology-based ventures. Comparable in supporting high-growth founders and connecting them to investors; less hand-on operational programming than Cultivator, more objective-setting.
• MaRS Discovery District: Canada's largest urban innovation hub offering multi-stage programs for founders including agtech and climate ventures. Comparable to Cultivator in stage-based programming (early-to-scale), structured mentorship, and investor connections, but with materially larger scale and broader verticals.
• Communitech: Waterloo-based tech innovation hub supporting founders through accelerator programs and corporate partnerships. Comparable to Cultivator in cohort-based accelerators, mentorship stacks, and corporate-backed services — but operating in a denser venture ecosystem.
• DMZ (Toronto Metropolitan University): Leading Canadian startup incubator/accelerator serving early-stage tech founders across multiple verticals. Comparable in cohort-based acceleration, mentorship networks, and investor demo days; broader funnel but less vertical specialization than Cultivator's agtech focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cultivatorsk
• Instagraminstagram.com/cultivatorsk
• Xx.com/cultivatorsk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments71 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cultivator