Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator

Tim Hammerich

News Reporter

On Friday, we reported on the International Fresh Produce Association’s new accelerator program to bring emerging technology to the produce industry. There are several other agtech focused accelerators out there, but this one is different in a few ways, says IFPA vice president of innovation Vonnie Estes.

Estes… “It's not quite an accelerator because there's no funding involved. And so that's like one of the first things I have to say to people is like, it's an accelerator, but there's no prize. There's no pitch day. We don't take any equity. You don't get any money. And so in that way, it's kinda not an accelerator, but at least calling an accelerator, it put people in the mindset of, oh, it's a cohort and we're learning together.”

The program is free and will offer access to a big market for these companies. Another difference from other accelerators is that they’re not necessarily looking for early stage companies.

Estes… “What I want to do in the produce industry is really have something that's ready to go to market and make an impact quickly. And then maybe later we'll do kind of earlier stage, but I'd really like a company to have a product that they're selling and maybe it's very late stage piloting, you know, in trials. But pretty much ready to go right into the market so that we can show success in the industry and really get some technology in right away.”

To learn more and apply for the Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator program visit www.FreshProduce.com.