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Overview
The Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator (APBI) provides infrastructure and services to support food processing ventures in commercializing products and growing their business. The facility meets federal food-regulation requirements, enabling tenant companies to market their products nationally and internationally.
The APBI opened in 2007 with 7,000 square metres. In 2023, an expansion added 2,300 square metres more for food processing suites, storage and shared staff amenities such as lunchrooms and locker rooms. As a centre of excellence for agrivalue venture growth, the facility is the largest food manufacturing business incubator in North America.
Services
Both start-ups and established food companies can lease space and work with experts at the APBI to:
- develop new value-added food items and expand product lines
- develop manufacturing processes
- refine, test and process product volumes to enter new markets
- establish a market presence and grow sales
- prepare to graduate to their own facility
Through their lease, food companies have access to:
- in-suite processing and storage space
- common storage areas
- common shipping and receiving docks with pallet-moving equipment
- shared staff amenities
- office space and services
Virtual tours
Drone flight
See all areas of the APBI quickly through a drone flight.
3D walking tour
Explore the leasable processing suites and common areas in Matterport’s 3D tour.
Entrance and exit criteria
The APBI is a Government of Alberta facility and operates in a business-like manner. Companies wishing to be admitted as tenants will be selected based on business plan strength and the venture's likelihood of commercial establishment and growth.
The incubator’s purpose is to:
- assist companies as they establish a market presence
- provide serviced facilities to develop and refine production techniques
- share experiences with other entrepreneurs
- take advantage of economies from sharing services and facilities
The Food and Bio Processing Branch’s business development unit can also provide business and marketing advice. Also, contact can be arranged with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation personnel to provide information on loan programs. Legal, accounting and transportation firms willing to provide advisory services to Incubator tenants can also be arranged.
The incubator is managed and operated by the Food and Bio Processing Branch. The facility is federally licensed with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and regulatory compliance is required by all incubator tenants. Branch management is responsible for ensuring that tenants comply with these regulations.
In addition to an acceptable business plan, applicants must also demonstrate financial resources to supply and install process equipment, manufacture and ship product, and pay accounts while waiting for receivables to be cleared. Applicants may be requested to provide authorization for a credit review.
Criteria for acceptance
Applicants:
- must have a comprehensive business and marketing plan in place available for review
- must be capable of meeting and ensuring compliance with all CFIA regulations
- must have HACCP plans in place prior to initial production
- must have adequate resources to pay rent, wages, supplies and overhead
- must have a plan for graduating from the Incubator at the end of the lease agreement
- should show capacity for managerial competence
- should be open to coaching
- should demonstrate a need for incubation services
- should have space and utility requirements compatible with incubator capacity
Lease terms and exit criteria
The desired outcome from APBI is a steady influx of promising client companies and a steady outflow of successful graduates.
A typical lease contract is a 3-year contract with 2, 1-year renewals. During the incubation period, the tenant has access to branch's Business Development Officers (BDO's). BDO's provide business development coaching and assist with identifying programs, services, resources and connections to help grow and expand your business.
- Connect with a Business Development Officer
At the end of the lease term, tenant companies typically find more permanent arrangements in line with their future growth plans. Tenant owned equipment is to be removed from the Incubator facility within 30 days of the expiration of the lease agreement. Any alternations made to the suite by the tenant will require repair and the suite must be returned to it's original state.
Fee schedule
Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator: lease, service and vacancy
Table 1. Leased space fees, fixed service fees, total fees (leased space, plus fixed service), and vacancy status
| Suite | Useable area | Year 1 and 2: 85% | Year 3: 100% | Fixed service fees | Total fees Year 1 and 2 | Total fees Year 3 | Status: June 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 500 m2 | $117,600 | $137,200 | $30,000 | $147,600 | $167,200 | Occupied |
| B | 500 m2 | $117,600 | $137,200 | $30,000 | $147,600 | $167,200 | Occupied |
| C | 500 m2 | $117,600 | $137,200 | $30,000 | $147,600 | $167,200 | Vacant |
| D | 500 m2 | $117,600 | $137,200 | $30,000 | $147,600 | $167,200 | Occupied |
| E | 350 m2 | $84,000 | $98,000 | $21,300 | $105,300 | $119,300 | Occupied |
| F | 350 m2 | $84,000 | $98,000 | $21,300 | $105,300 | $119,300 | Occupied |
| G/H | 335 m2 | $80,160 | $93,500 | $20,400 | $100,560 | $113,900 | Under construction |
| I | 500 m2 | $117,600 | $137,200 | $30,000 | $147,600 | $167,200 | Under construction |
| J | 500 m2 | $117,600 | $137,200 | $30,000 | $147,600 | $167,200 | Under construction |
| K | 500 m2 | $117,600 | $137,200 | $30,000 | $147,600 | $167,200 | Under construction |
Apply to lease a space
Complete the Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator - Application for Lease Space form, save it to your computer and email it to [email protected].
Start Up Visa (SUV) inquiries
The Food Processing Development Centre (FPDC) and APBI engage with clients and tenants in the development of food products, food manufacturing processes, pilot plant development, interim processing and food processing business incubation. In addition, the facilities are considered a 'designated incubator' under the SUV program with the Government of Canada.
We may choose to certify those for SUV consideration provided they have already qualified for one of the programs offered at the FPDC and the APBI. We do not consider ourselves as a means to get a SUV. Rather, we utilize our status as a designated incubator to assist our clients and tenants with projects related to food manufacturing.
For more information, email: [email protected].
Contact
Connect with the Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-980-4244
Fax: 780-980-4250
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Ken Gossen, Executive Director
Phone: 780-980-4860
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]
Dan Graham, Operations Director
Phone: 780-980-4866
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]
Address:
Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator
4301 65 Avenue
Leduc, Alberta T9E 8T2
Related
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Bio-Industrial Opportunities Section