Agenda

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8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Registration & Networking

  • Registration

  • Networking Coffee

  • Tradeshow Booths Open

8:30 a.m. Welcome Remarks 

  • Western Fair District – Reg Ash

  • Chuck Baresich, Haggerty AgRobotics

  • Dr. John Kelly, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

  • Master of Ceremonies: Ashley Casselman, AgRobotics Working Group Manager

8:45 a.m. Keynote Presentation:  Where Are We? A Farmer’s Perspective on Robotics & Automation.

Jim Beretta will provide an overview on the state of robotics in Canada and where the opportunities will be.

  • Keynote: Jim Beretta, Host of the Robot Industry Podcast

9:15 a.m. Panel 1: Practical AgRobotics Evaluation & Research Results

Panel welcome from David Muir, Associate Vice-President, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Western University. Several farmers will share their experience testing the latest robotics technologies.

  • Moderator: Chuck Baresich, Haggerty AgRobotics

  • Dr. Lynn M Sosnoskie, Assistant Professor, Weed Science, Cornell University

  • Dr. Dan Brainard, Assistant Professor, Michigan State University

  • Dr. Medhat Mousa, Professor - Robotics, University of Guelph

10:30 a.m. Networking & Tradeshow Break

  • Greetings from GOFAR/FIRA - Maialen Cazenave, Co-Director

11:00 a.m. Panel 2: Robotics & AI Entrepreneurs - From Idea to Field

Robotic entrepreneurs will share their stories about how they overcame challenges with commercialization and fundraising.

  • Moderator: Jordan Jocius, Innovation Entrepreneur and Investor, Founder Institute

  • Jana Tian, Founder, Upside Robotics

  • Nipun Sharma, Founder, Appetronix

  • Remi Schmaltz, CEO, Brilliant Harvest

12:00 p.m. Networking Lunch & Tradeshow 

12:15 p.m. Keynote Speaker: Matt Rendall, CEO, Clearpath Robotics

  • Speaker Introduction: Lisa Klimstra, Senior Manager, Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN)

1:15 p.m. Panel 3: Research & Resources to Support the Robotics Industry

  • Moderator: Nevin McDougall, Chair, ARIO

  • Leanne Koroscil, Innovation Farm Manager, EMILI

  • Sergio Paulo, Director, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

  • Garson Law, Program Director, Canadian Agri-food Automation and Intelligence Network

2:00 p.m. Panel 4 Investor Insights - Funding the Next Generation of Agtech

  • Moderator: Joe Dales, RHA Ventures

  • Sean Bingley, Senior Relationship Manager, Strategic Finance, FCC

  • John Cassidy, Managing Director, SVG Thrive

  • Lisa Ashton, Director Agriculture and Nature Policy Lead, Royal Bank

  • Steven Koeckhoven, Investment Manager of Verdex Capital

3:00 p.m. Networking Coffee Break & Tradeshow

3:30 p.m. Innovation Showcase: AgRobotics & AI Company Investment Pitch Competition

Early stage ag robotics start-ups will present pitches to a panel of investors. Investor mentors from RHA Ventures, Ag Capital Partners and industry investors will listen to the pitches and provide commentary.

Moderator: Ian McDonald, Crop Innovation Specialist, OMAFA and Michael Dales, Project Manager, RHA Ventures Inc.

  • Michael Giannikouris, Finite Robotics

  • Konrad Konnerth, President & Founder, Konnexio

  • Dr. Kate Withers, President & Founder, Saiwa.AI

  • Peter King, CEO & Founder, Cypher Robotics

  • Chuck Baresich, President & Founder, Haggerty AgRobotics Company Inc.

  • Cameron Waite, CEO & Founder, Real Life Robotics

5:00 p.m. Closing Remarks

  • Chuck Baresich & Ashley Casselman

5:00 PM Networking Reception at The Grove Lounge

  • Cash bar

  • Informal discussions and partnerships

Tradeshow & Exhibitor Information

  • Finite Robotics

  • Konnexio

  • Upside Robotics

  • AgRobotics Working Group

  • Innovation Farms Ontario

  • Canadian Agri-food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN)

  • Saiwa.AI

  • University of Guelph - Research

  • Ontario Centre of Innovation

Open: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  • Robotics & AI companies

  • Equipment manufacturers

  • Research institutions

  • Funding organizations

  • Service providers and ecosystem partners