Avrio Capital

Avrio Capital is a Calgary-based venture capital and private equity firm established in 2006 that specializes in investing in food and agriculture companies across Canada and the United States. The firm focuses on later-stage, early-stage, and emerging growth businesses, particularly in food technology, advanced agriculture, industrial bioproducts, and nutraceuticals. Avrio Capital aims to address global challenges related to health, wellness, and sustainability by investing in innovative companies. The firm typically invests between CAD $1 million and CAD $10 million, with plans for additional financing rounds as needed. It seeks to partner with companies that have sales values ranging from CAD $1 million to CAD $20 million and takes an active role in supporting its portfolio companies to enhance their growth and competitiveness. With offices in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, Avrio Capital is committed to nurturing the development of its investments.

Denis Boyer

Senior Associate

Steven Leakos

Managing Director and Partner

Michael McGee

Partner

Jim Taylor

Co-Founder and Chairman

32 past transactions

Hortau

Series C in 2016
Hortau specializes in wireless and web-based irrigation management. Hortau integrates proprietary soil sensing innovations with the latest information technologies to deliver the most advanced irrigation management solutions on the market. Hortau was founded in 2002, by Dr. Jean Caron, Agronomist, Ph.D in Soil Physics and Jocelyn Boudreau, agricultural engineer, M.Sc. in Soil Physics. Their expertise is in Agronomy, Soil Physics and Agricultural Engineering. Improving crop production is their focus.

FarmLead

Series A in 2017
FarmLead Resources Ltd. operates a digital marketplace that allows buyers and sellers to list, negotiate, and finalize grain deals. The company offers GrainTests.com, an online service that allows grain farmers to test their grain. It serves farms in North America. Its marketplace is available online and as a mobile application. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Ottawa, Canada. It has operations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.

POS Management Corp.

Merger/Acquisition in 2017
KeyLeaf Life Sciences engages in the extraction, fractionation, purification, and modification of bio-based materials and produces hemp, cannabis, chickpeas, flax, and cinnamon. KeyLeaf Life Sciences was formerly known as POS Management Corp. The company was founded in 1973 and is based in Saskatoon, Canada. As of November 23, 2018, KeyLeaf Life Sciences operates as a subsidiary of Canopy Growth Corporation.

VoloAgri Group

Venture Round in 2013
VoloAgri is an ag-tech company that provides plant breeding and plant genetics services. It invests in the global vegetable seed industry. Their focus is on world-class plant breeding and plant genetics, including all major species of vegetables. They apply the latest hybrid breeding technologies to improve agricultural results and foster sustainable agricultural practices. They are non-GMO. VoloAgri Group was founded in 2012 and is based in San Francisco Bay Area, California.

Advitech

Venture Round in 2010
Advitech is a life science and technology company with the mission to discover and commercialize patented, scientifically supported natural health products. Effective and safe, these products target immune system disorders, such as psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. Advitech produces Dermylex (R) for the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis. Advitech has developed a research program to develop new applications in the field of wound healing. This development program stems from the two technological platforms XP-828L and IM.

Advitech

Venture Round in 2009
Advitech is a life science and technology company with the mission to discover and commercialize patented, scientifically supported natural health products. Effective and safe, these products target immune system disorders, such as psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. Advitech produces Dermylex (R) for the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis. Advitech has developed a research program to develop new applications in the field of wound healing. This development program stems from the two technological platforms XP-828L and IM.

Hortau

Venture Round in 2019
Hortau specializes in wireless and web-based irrigation management. Hortau integrates proprietary soil sensing innovations with the latest information technologies to deliver the most advanced irrigation management solutions on the market. Hortau was founded in 2002, by Dr. Jean Caron, Agronomist, Ph.D in Soil Physics and Jocelyn Boudreau, agricultural engineer, M.Sc. in Soil Physics. Their expertise is in Agronomy, Soil Physics and Agricultural Engineering. Improving crop production is their focus.

Bare Snacks

Venture Round in 2013
Bare Snacks (Bare Foods Co.), originally know as Bare Fruit, was wounded by Eric Strandberg. Bare has been providing healthy snacks for more then ten years. As the leading apple chip brand Bare takes pride in offering the highest quality products. Since 2013 Bare has been one of the fastest growing healthy snack brands in the U.S.

Phytelligence

Series B in 2017
Phytelligence is a product-focused technology company that develops and provides smart plants and solutions to growers, nurseries, and horticultural experts. It provides custom genetic analysis services that assess the similarity or dissimilarity of closely related samples. The company provides plants free of diseases, viruses, and pests. Its portfolio includes the Geneva series, Gisela series, and Krymsk series of rootstocks. Phytelligence was founded in 2012 by Amit Dhingra, and it is based in Pullman, Washington.

Biopharmacopae

Series A in 2008
Biopharmacopae is a company specialized in the discovery and development of innovative, science-based, plant-derived products for the skin care, cosmeceuticals, nutraceutical, and nutrition industries.

Enterra Feed

Private Placement in 2018
Enterra is a Vancouver-based company commercializing a natural system that uses a common beneficial insect to rapidly recover nutrients from recycled food waste; sourced from grocery stores, markets, food distributors and food processors, to up-cycle the nutrients into sustainable feed ingredients for aquaculture, animal feed and pet food, as well as a concentrated natural fertilizer product for use in agriculture.

CheeCha Puffs

Private Equity Round in 2016
Friends don't let friends eat greasy potato chips. CheeCha Puffs are minimal calorie, maximum flavour snacks that Canada has fallen in love with!

Hortau

Series D in 2018
Hortau specializes in wireless and web-based irrigation management. Hortau integrates proprietary soil sensing innovations with the latest information technologies to deliver the most advanced irrigation management solutions on the market. Hortau was founded in 2002, by Dr. Jean Caron, Agronomist, Ph.D in Soil Physics and Jocelyn Boudreau, agricultural engineer, M.Sc. in Soil Physics. Their expertise is in Agronomy, Soil Physics and Agricultural Engineering. Improving crop production is their focus.

Biopharmacopae

Venture Round in 2011
Biopharmacopae is a company specialized in the discovery and development of innovative, science-based, plant-derived products for the skin care, cosmeceuticals, nutraceutical, and nutrition industries.

SOL Cuisine

Venture Round in 2018
Sol Cuisine Inc. manufactures vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten free, and organic frozen and fresh meat alternatives. The company prepares fattoush salad, horseradish aioli, vegan chipotle aioli, lemon dill aioli, vegan maki, the ultimate vegan poutine, and savory morning swirls. Sol Cuisine Inc. was founded in 1980 and is based in Mississauga, Canada.

Enterra Feed

Venture Round in 2014
Enterra is a Vancouver-based company commercializing a natural system that uses a common beneficial insect to rapidly recover nutrients from recycled food waste; sourced from grocery stores, markets, food distributors and food processors, to up-cycle the nutrients into sustainable feed ingredients for aquaculture, animal feed and pet food, as well as a concentrated natural fertilizer product for use in agriculture.

Hortau

Private Placement in 2018
Hortau specializes in wireless and web-based irrigation management. Hortau integrates proprietary soil sensing innovations with the latest information technologies to deliver the most advanced irrigation management solutions on the market. Hortau was founded in 2002, by Dr. Jean Caron, Agronomist, Ph.D in Soil Physics and Jocelyn Boudreau, agricultural engineer, M.Sc. in Soil Physics. Their expertise is in Agronomy, Soil Physics and Agricultural Engineering. Improving crop production is their focus.

Phytelligence

Private Placement in 2015
Phytelligence is a product-focused technology company that develops and provides smart plants and solutions to growers, nurseries, and horticultural experts. It provides custom genetic analysis services that assess the similarity or dissimilarity of closely related samples. The company provides plants free of diseases, viruses, and pests. Its portfolio includes the Geneva series, Gisela series, and Krymsk series of rootstocks. Phytelligence was founded in 2012 by Amit Dhingra, and it is based in Pullman, Washington.

Origin BioMed

Venture Round in 2007
Origin BioMed is a Canadian company that manufactures over-the-counter consumer health products at therapeutic levels. The company produces Neuragen, a non-prescriptive topically applied homeopathic drug used to relieve nerve pain caused by various conditions, including diabetic nerve pain, post-shingles pain, and chronic nerve pain. Origin BioMed’s products are available in pharmacies in Canada and the United States, as well as online. It was founded in 2001 and is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Allylix

Venture Round in 2012
Allylix, Inc., an early stage biotechnology company, develops terpene products and their derivatives for the flavor and fragrance, food ingredient, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and biofuel markets. Its products comprise nootkatone, which is a grapefruit flavor that is used in fruit juices and citrus flavored sodas. The company also develops sesquiterpenes that are part of aroma chemical segment of the flavor and fragrance market; and production platforms for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and agricultural markets. Allylix, Inc. was founded in 2002 and is based in San Diego, California with research and development laboratories in Lexington, Kentucky.

Hortau

Venture Round in 2013
Hortau specializes in wireless and web-based irrigation management. Hortau integrates proprietary soil sensing innovations with the latest information technologies to deliver the most advanced irrigation management solutions on the market. Hortau was founded in 2002, by Dr. Jean Caron, Agronomist, Ph.D in Soil Physics and Jocelyn Boudreau, agricultural engineer, M.Sc. in Soil Physics. Their expertise is in Agronomy, Soil Physics and Agricultural Engineering. Improving crop production is their focus.

Farmers Edge

Venture Round in 2012
Farmers Edge Inc. is leading the next agricultural revolution with the industry’s broadest portfolio of proprietary technological innovations, spanning hardware, software, and services. Powered by a unique combination of connected field sensors, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and agronomic expertise, the Company’s digital platform turns data into actions and intelligent insights, delivering value to all stakeholders of the agricultural ecosystem. Farmers Edge disruptive technologies accelerate digital transformation on the farm and beyond, protecting our global resources and ensuring sustainable food production for a rapidly growing population.

SunSelect

Venture Round in 2013
SunSelect is one of the founders of the greenhouse industry in Western Canada and has been in operation for over 25 years. SunSelect is one of the largest producers of greenhouse grown bell peppers in North America and has a strong industry reputation and leaders in the industry. The company currently operates two greenhouse facilities with 70 acres of greenhouses and 135 acres of land located in Aldergrove and Delta, British Columbia and is managed by a team with over 100 years of collective greenhouse growing and management experience.

Fody Food

Series A in 2017
Fody Food creates a delicious, gut-friendly, low FODMAP foods. They believe that nothing should hinder freedom – especially not food. Through their delicious low FODMAP foods and recipes, they provide people much-needed relief from their IBS symptoms. Fody Food was in 2016 and is based in Montreal, Quebec.

VoloAgri Group

Series B in 2013
VoloAgri is an ag-tech company that provides plant breeding and plant genetics services. It invests in the global vegetable seed industry. Their focus is on world-class plant breeding and plant genetics, including all major species of vegetables. They apply the latest hybrid breeding technologies to improve agricultural results and foster sustainable agricultural practices. They are non-GMO. VoloAgri Group was founded in 2012 and is based in San Francisco Bay Area, California.

Enterra Feed

Series B in 2018
Enterra is a Vancouver-based company commercializing a natural system that uses a common beneficial insect to rapidly recover nutrients from recycled food waste; sourced from grocery stores, markets, food distributors and food processors, to up-cycle the nutrients into sustainable feed ingredients for aquaculture, animal feed and pet food, as well as a concentrated natural fertilizer product for use in agriculture.

Hortau

Venture Round in 2014
Hortau specializes in wireless and web-based irrigation management. Hortau integrates proprietary soil sensing innovations with the latest information technologies to deliver the most advanced irrigation management solutions on the market. Hortau was founded in 2002, by Dr. Jean Caron, Agronomist, Ph.D in Soil Physics and Jocelyn Boudreau, agricultural engineer, M.Sc. in Soil Physics. Their expertise is in Agronomy, Soil Physics and Agricultural Engineering. Improving crop production is their focus.

Intelia

Venture Round in 2016
Intelia markets business intelligence systems and AI algorithms for poultry producers the wealth of insight buried in their production data. Through a web-based, real-time, monitoring and predicting software platform, Intelia stands apart as it designs, manufactures and supplies all 3 components of a fully integrated farm data management system.

Manitoba Harvest

Venture Round in 2001
Fresh Hemp Foods Ltd., doing business as Manitoba Harvest, produces hemp food. The company offers hemp hearts, heart bites, heart bars, protein smoothies, protein powders, and oils. It sells its products through retail stores, as well as an online store. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada. As of February 27, 2019, Fresh Hemp Foods Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of Tilray, Inc.

Alasko

Private Equity Round in 2016
The Alasko global supply network reaches over 60 agri-food producers, in 20 countries. All facilities are federally inspected and satisfy all of the H.A.C.C.P. program requirements. We import, prepare and distribute over 80 million pounds of frozen foods. Our distribution network currently utilizes 7 warehouses across North America and offers optimal efficiency and control of the cold chain: frozen food requires constant follow-up. Our internal quality assurance program provides for constant monitoring of all products to ensure the highest safety and quality standards are respected throughout the cold chain. Our Montreal facility is certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (C.F.I.A) and has recently received a GFTC gold rating. We also have received organic certification by Ecocert Canada.

VoloAgri Group

Series B in 2013
VoloAgri is an ag-tech company that provides plant breeding and plant genetics services. It invests in the global vegetable seed industry. Their focus is on world-class plant breeding and plant genetics, including all major species of vegetables. They apply the latest hybrid breeding technologies to improve agricultural results and foster sustainable agricultural practices. They are non-GMO. VoloAgri Group was founded in 2012 and is based in San Francisco Bay Area, California.