Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative

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.

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

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

• Digital agriculture innovation
• Agtech testing and validation
• Commercial farm research
• Agricultural data literacy
• Precision agriculture adoption

Headquarters

HQ city

Winnipeg

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Partner Contributions: Industry partners including FCC, BASF, John Deere, MacDon, and others provide financial and in-kind support for innovation projects and programs.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability15 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• BASF Agricultural Solutions CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024EMILI and BASF collaborate to advance digital crop optimization solutions, demonstrating and gathering feedback on the xarvio FIELD MANAGER platform.
• AgExpert (Farm Credit Canada)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022AgExpert 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 DeerecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohn Deere equipment is used on Innovation Farms, including HarvestLab 3000 sensor technology demonstrations and tractors with auto-steer capabilities.
• MacDoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMacDon provides high-performance harvesting equipment and related resources to increase EMILI's ability to test agtech tools on Innovation Farms.
• Enns BrotherscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnns 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 FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRutherford Farms hosts Innovation Farms Grosse Isle site, a 5,500+ acre seed farm providing space for agtech testing and validation.
• J.P. Wiebe Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJ.P. Wiebe Ltd. hosts Innovation Farms MacGregor site with approximately 10,000 acres including 3,000 acres dedicated to potato production.
• OCP North AmericamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMILI and OCP North America collaborate to advance field-based research in Manitoba.
• SimplotmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimplot, one of four major potato processors in Manitoba, receives potatoes from Innovation Farms MacGregor site for processing.
• AIVA NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgriculture, Innovation, Validation and Adoption Network co-founded by EMILI alongside FCC and WHIN. Connects validation hubs across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.
• Elmer's ManufacturingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTesting Elmer's Manufacturing HIVE Motherbin, HaulMaster 2300 grain cart, and Super 7 Harrow Bar on Innovation Farms.
• Corteva AgrisciencemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducting spray drone trials for fungicide and herbicide applications across Innovation Farms fields.
• Ag Data TransparentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMILI has been a supporting member since 2022. Dan Lussier, Director of Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative, serves as Vice-President on the board.
• CSA GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDan Lussier chairs CSA Group's Advisory Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food Data.
• MLT AikinsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMLT Aikins LLP provides legal expertise and hosts the Startup Advantage Program for digital agriculture entrepreneurs. Danielle Graff serves on EMILI's Board.
• University of ManitobamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Martin Scanlon, Professor and Dean of Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, serves on Board. Dr. Jay Doering is Professor/Dean Emeritus.
• University of WinnipegmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Jitendra Paliwal, Vice-President Research and Innovation, serves on EMILI's Board.
• University of GuelphmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Lysa Porth, Professor in Department of Economics and Finance, serves on Board.
• Assiniboine Community CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative, contributing to data literacy programming development.
• Lakeland CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in cybersecurity module delivery and data literacy programming. Site for Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network.
• Saskatchewan PolytechnicsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative data literacy program development.
• Community Safety Knowledge Alliance (CSKA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on cybersecurity module content and evaluation report for Fundamentals of Farm Data program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct 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

• Xtwitter.com/emilicanada
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emilicanada

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&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