Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative
EMILI is an industry-led, Manitoba-based non-profit that operates Innovation Farms — 14,000 acres of full-scale commercial farmland across two sites — to test, validate, and demonstrate digital agriculture technologies for agtech innovators, producers, and industry partners across the Canadian Prairies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersWinnipeg, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative does
EMILI (Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative) is an industry-led, Manitoba-incorporated non-profit organization founded in 2016 that operates as a neutral platform for digital agriculture innovation across the Canadian Prairies. It does not sell software products; instead, it convenes producers, agtech innovators, industry partners, academic institutions, and government to accelerate the testing, validation, and adoption of digital agriculture technologies. Its core physical asset is Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert, a network of two full-scale commercial farms in Manitoba — Rutherford Farms in Grosse Isle (5,500+ acres of grain and seed production) and J.P. Wiebe Ltd. in MacGregor (~10,000 acres with 3,000 acres in potatoes) — providing 14,000 total acres of real-world validation environment for agtech.
EMILI's product portfolio clusters into four pillars. (1) Innovation Farms, the flagship initiative offering innovators structured access categories (Test and Validate, Showcase and Demonstrate, Advance Digital Agriculture, Accelerate Canadian Innovation). (2) The Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative, including the Fundamentals of Farm Data Program, a free four-module online data literacy and cybersecurity curriculum. (3) Ecosystem and convening programs: the Manitoba Digital Agriculture Table (24 meetings, 600+ participants since 2020), the annual Agriculture Enlightened conference, and the four-province AIVA (Agriculture, Innovation, Validation and Adoption) Network co-founded with Farm Credit Canada and WHIN. (4) Targeted startup support via the Emergence Grant program and MLT Aikins' Startup Advantage Program.
EMILI's revenue model is grant- and contribution-funded rather than commercial. Documented inflows include a CAD 3.5 million federal commitment from Prairies Economic Development Canada announced July 2026, an initial Protein Industries Canada Capacity Building Program co-investment (July 2021), CAAIN funding for the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network, and partner contributions from FCC, BASF, John Deere, MacDon, Corteva, Enns Brothers, and others. It is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Ray Bouchard (President and CEO of Enns Brothers) with academic representation from the Universities of Manitoba, Winnipeg, and Guelph, plus Assiniboine Community College. Leadership includes CEO Jacqueline Keena, CFO Gordon Chandler, and functional managers across Innovation Farms, communications, policy, and operations.
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative
- Legal name
- Enterprise Machine Intelligence & Learning Initiative
- Website
- https://emilicanada.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- EMILI is an industry-led, Manitoba-based non-profit that operates Innovation Farms — 14,000 acres of full-scale commercial farmland across two sites — to test, validate, and demonstrate digital agriculture technologies for agtech innovators, producers, and industry partners across the Canadian Prairies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Agriculture Innovation Services
- NAICS
- Oilseed and Grain Farming (1111), Agricultural Implement Manufacturing (33311)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Farm Management & Decision Support Software (FMIS, ERP, Recordkeeping) (AFAGALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Farm Technology Enablement & Data Integration Advisory (FMIS/ERP, IoT, Decision Support) (AFACAJAG), Agricultural & Field Robotics (HDAAAIAD), Robotics & Autonomous Field Operations (Weeding, Spraying, Harvest Assist, Autonomous Tractors) (AFAGALAJ)
Keywords
Where Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Winnipeg
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding: EMILI receives federal and provincial government support for advancing digital agriculture innovation. In July 2026, the Government of Canada announced $3.5 million in federal support through Prairies Economic Development Canada.
- Partner Contributions: Industry partners including FCC, BASF, John Deere, MacDon, and others provide financial and in-kind support for innovation projects and programs.
- Protein Industries Canada Co-investment: Initial co-investment through Protein Industries Canada's Capacity Building Program for the Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Verge Ag Launch Pad field planning |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Fundamentals of Farm Data Program |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EMILI operates Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert, providing agtech innovators with access to two full-scale commercial Manitoba farms (14,000 acres) to test, validate, and demonstrate digital agriculture technologies under real prairie growing conditions. The organization pairs the Innovation Farms platform with the Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative (including the free Fundamentals of Farm Data online course) and cross-sector community programs such as the AIVA Network and Manitoba Digital Agriculture Table to advance digital agriculture adoption, skills, and policy.
Product overview
EMILI (Enterprise Machine Intelligence & Learning Initiative) is an industry-led non-profit organization that operates as a platform for digital agriculture innovation rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings include Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert, a full-scale commercial farming operation across two Manitoba sites (Grosse Isle 5,500+ acres and MacGregor 8,500 acres) where agtech innovators test and validate technologies; the Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative with its Fundamentals of Farm Data data literacy program; the AIVA Network connecting validation hubs across four provinces; the Manitoba Digital Agriculture Table for cross-sector collaboration; and the annual Agriculture Enlightened Conference. These programs work together to enable farmer-centric innovation, advance sustainable technologies, and increase digital agriculture skills across the sector.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert: EMILI's flagship initiative providing innovators with access to leading-edge equipment, technology, and production practices on full-scale commercial farms to test, validate, and demonstrate digital agriculture technologies.
- Agriculture Enlightened
- Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative
Products and services
- Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert Full-scale commercial farm validation service providing agtech innovators with access to two combined Manitoba farms spanning approximately 14,000 acres of grain and potato production to test, validate, and demonstrate digital agriculture technologies under real prairie growing conditions. Engagement is structured around four collaboration categories: Test and Validate (pre-commercial), Showcase and Demonstrate (commercial-scale), Advance Digital Agriculture, and Accelerate Canadian Innovation.
- Agriculture Enlightened Conference Annual agtech conference organized by EMILI since 2020 (with the 2026 edition scheduled for November 5, 2026) that convenes diverse stakeholder groups to connect bold ideas with real-world impact and drive agriculture innovation.
- Fundamentals of Farm Data Program Free online data literacy course consisting of four modules — Data 101, Data in Agriculture, Working with Your Data, and Cybersecurity — designed to equip farmers and producers with foundational knowledge and data governance skills related to agriculture data.
- AIVA Network Agriculture, Innovation, Validation and Adoption Network connecting farmers, innovators, and validation hubs across four Canadian provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario) to bring proven agtech solutions to market and de-risk technology adoption for producers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Precision agriculture can raise crop farming productivity by 5% while lowering fertilizer, herbicide, fuel and water use
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability15 records
Feature3 records
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- BASF Agricultural Solutions CanadacoreEMILI and BASF collaborate to advance digital crop optimization solutions, demonstrating and gathering feedback on the xarvio FIELD MANAGER platform.
- AgExpert (Farm Credit Canada)coreAgExpert software powers Innovation Farms, providing field and accounting software that uses farm data for insights including on-farm carbon sequestration estimation and footprint assessments. The partnership provides technology infrastructure for the farms.
- John DeerecoreJohn Deere equipment is used on Innovation Farms, including HarvestLab 3000 sensor technology demonstrations and tractors with auto-steer capabilities.
- MacDoncoreMacDon provides high-performance harvesting equipment and related resources to increase EMILI's ability to test agtech tools on Innovation Farms.
- Enns BrotherscoreEnns Brothers, an agricultural equipment dealer in Manitoba, is represented on EMILI's Board of Directors. The Jake Enns Legacy Fund also supports EMILI initiatives.
- Rutherford FarmscoreRutherford Farms hosts Innovation Farms Grosse Isle site, a 5,500+ acre seed farm providing space for agtech testing and validation.
- J.P. Wiebe Ltd.coreJ.P. Wiebe Ltd. hosts Innovation Farms MacGregor site with approximately 10,000 acres including 3,000 acres dedicated to potato production.
- OCP North AmericamajorEMILI and OCP North America collaborate to advance field-based research in Manitoba.
- SimplotmajorSimplot, one of four major potato processors in Manitoba, receives potatoes from Innovation Farms MacGregor site for processing.
- AIVA NetworkcoreAgriculture, Innovation, Validation and Adoption Network co-founded by EMILI alongside FCC and WHIN. Connects validation hubs across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.
- Elmer's ManufacturingmajorTesting Elmer's Manufacturing HIVE Motherbin, HaulMaster 2300 grain cart, and Super 7 Harrow Bar on Innovation Farms.
- Corteva AgrisciencemajorConducting spray drone trials for fungicide and herbicide applications across Innovation Farms fields.
- Ag Data TransparentmajorEMILI has been a supporting member since 2022. Dan Lussier, Director of Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative, serves as Vice-President on the board.
- CSA GroupmajorDan Lussier chairs CSA Group's Advisory Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food Data.
- MLT AikinsmajorMLT Aikins LLP provides legal expertise and hosts the Startup Advantage Program for digital agriculture entrepreneurs. Danielle Graff serves on EMILI's Board.
- University of ManitobamajorDr. Martin Scanlon, Professor and Dean of Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, serves on Board. Dr. Jay Doering is Professor/Dean Emeritus.
- University of WinnipegmajorDr. Jitendra Paliwal, Vice-President Research and Innovation, serves on EMILI's Board.
- University of GuelphmajorDr. Lysa Porth, Professor in Department of Economics and Finance, serves on Board.
- Assiniboine Community CollegesupportingPartner in Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative, contributing to data literacy programming development.
- Lakeland CollegesupportingPartner in cybersecurity module delivery and data literacy programming. Site for Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network.
- Saskatchewan PolytechnicsupportingPartner in Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative data literacy program development.
- Community Safety Knowledge Alliance (CSKA)supportingCollaborated on cybersecurity module content and evaluation report for Fundamentals of Farm Data program.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Protein Industries Canada: Canadian industry-led innovation cluster investing in plant-protein and digital agriculture projects; EMILI is a co-investee and partner, making it a closely related innovation intermediary.
- Olds College Smart Farm: Olds College operates a large-scale Canadian smart farm used to test, validate and demonstrate digital agriculture and precision ag technologies, making it the closest direct analogue to EMILI's Innovation Farms model.
- Vineland Research and Innovation Centre: Vineland is a Canadian not-for-profit research and innovation centre focused on horticulture and agri-food innovation, comparable to EMILI as a Canadian non-profit bridging innovators with growers.
- Lakeland College: Lakeland College is a member of the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network and hosts applied research on digital agriculture, directly comparable to EMILI's Innovation Farms testbed and AIVA Network activities.
- Glacier FarmMedia Discovery Farm: Discovery Farm Langely and related Glacier FarmMedia sites host in-field equipment and technology demonstrations for Western Canadian producers, mirroring EMILI's field day and demonstration model.
- Western Applied Research Corporation (WARC): WARC runs applied research and field-scale trials on Saskatchewan farms, directly comparable to EMILI's Innovation Farms for prairie agtech validation.
- CAAIN (Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network): CAAIN funds Canadian agri-food automation and AI projects and co-funds the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network alongside EMILI, making it a directly comparable funder and ecosystem builder.
Regional players
- AgLaunch: US-based agtech innovation organization running on-farm trials and commercialization programs; comparable business model to EMILI's Innovation Farms but operating in a different geography (US Midwest).
Broad incumbents
- SVG Ventures THRIVE: Global agrifood venture and innovation platform that runs accelerator programs and on-farm trials; comparable as an established player organizing agtech validation and commercialization pathways.
- Agri-Food Innovation Council: Canadian industry council representing agri-food innovation organizations across the country; comparable as an umbrella body advancing the same digital agriculture ecosystem EMILI supports.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative social profiles
Digital presenceEnterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative
What does Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative do?
EMILI operates Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert, providing agtech innovators with access to two full-scale commercial Manitoba farms (14,000 acres) to test, validate, and demonstrate digital agriculture technologies under real prairie growing conditions. The organization pairs the Innovation Farms platform with the Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative (including the free Fundamentals of Farm Data online course) and cross-sector community programs such as the AIVA Network and Manitoba Digital Agriculture Table to advance digital agriculture adoption, skills, and policy.
Is Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative a public or private company?
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative founded?
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative based?
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are partner Contributions and protein Industries Canada Co-investment.
Who are Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Protein Industries Canada, Olds College Smart Farm, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Lakeland College, Glacier FarmMedia Discovery Farm, Western Applied Research Corporation (WARC) and CAAIN (Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network). AgLaunch is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are SVG Ventures THRIVE and Agri-Food Innovation Council.
Does Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative.
What industry is Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative in?
Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative's product category is Digital Agriculture Innovation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAGALAA, Farm Management & Decision Support Software (FMIS, ERP, Recordkeeping), with a secondary code of AFACAJAG, Farm Technology Enablement & Data Integration Advisory (FMIS/ERP, IoT, Decision Support). Its NAICS code is 1111 and its SIC code is 700.