Why is AGROPUR offering this program? Agropur wants to help start-ups create new perspectives to shape the way the industry evolves and bring dairy products to centre stage.

What are the benefits for start-ups?  Agropur wants to help start-ups create new perspectives to shape the way the industry evolves and bring dairy products to centre stage.

What are the criteria for consideration for the program? We're looking for passionate and dedicated start-ups with a solution that is ready to launch on the market or with some traction (but early stage) that has strong potential for grown to reinvent dairy TOGETHER.

• Dairy or Dairy-Related Solution: Solutions are directly associated with the dairy industry (food products, beverages, packaging solutions or industrial process, etc.)
• Business Model / Scalability: Company is addressing its revenue model, competitors, how to scale, customer acquisition and cost base.  Company knows its margins and how it can improve as it scales. High growth market opportunity
• Product / Technology: Product/service has a competitive advantage and high barriers to entry
• Customers / Traction: Team is on track or building a successful business and is building something that consumers or the industry needs / wants. They understand their consumer or users’ needs. Team has done research to evaluate competitive landscape and has validated a need
• Innovation & Impact: Concept is a game-changing approach to solving a problem or gap in the market that could have major impact at scale

How do I know if my company is at too early a stage? Agropur's accelerator program is designed for companies that have an idea that is ready to launch on the market. If your idea is in its infancy, then you're at too early a stage. However, you have nothing to lose by submitting an application, there is no commitment.

Is my company too far along to be considered "early stage"? We value peer mentorship, so we are looking for a variety of stages of companies that can support and help each other. There is no limit to the size of company, you can submit your application and you will be assessed against the selection criteria. Go ahead and apply! There is no commitment and you have nothing to lose!

My company does not make a packaged food product or beverage. Is it eligible? Of course! We are interested in innovative dairy-related solutions. Your project could be a food product, a beverage or another solution, such as a new dairy-related packaging solution or process Go ahead and apply! There is no commitment and you have nothing to lose!

Are you only considering Canada-based companies? No, we will consider companies from around the globe.

How will you select the participants? Companies interested in being considered should complete the online application on the FoodBytes! website. Applications will be evaluated against the selection criteria outlined on the website (see above). If you are pre-selected, we will contact you to give you more details about the program.

Do I have to go to Montréal for the pre-selection event? No. You may be able to send a pre-recorded speech/presentation or we may plan to live stream the event. Details will be confirmed by the organizing committee.

Where will Agropur's accelerator program take place? The program will very likely be held at Agropur's headquarters in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Canada, near Montréal. You are not obliged to relocate for the entire program, however we do ask that you connect with the program team once a month to check in on your progress. We will also ask you to attend the Demo Day.

Do I have to relocate for the program? No, but we will ask you to connect with the program team once a month to check in on your progress. We will also ask you to attend the Demo Day.

If you have a team of people, you can choose to send one person or the entire team. Agropur will have the final say regarding teams during the final selection.

Will financial assistance be offered to participating companies, such as airfare, hotel or other costs? We will provide $20,000 to participating companies at the start of the program to cover such costs.

What kind of financial support will you be giving participating companies? You will have access to Agropur's experts (marketing, R&D and much more) and we will assign mentors to your team once your company has been assessed. You will also have access to Agropur's pilot plant and will be guided through a program designed to expand and grow your business.

How long is the program? The program will run for three to four months. The final step is the Demo Day.