Need for Seed
Greenhouse growers face a significant challenge — up to 50% of the seeds they plant will never mature, often due to defects in the seeds themselves. This inefficiency leads to massive resource waste and forces growers to overplant to meet demand. Additionally, seed-borne diseases cost growers hundreds of millions of dollars in lost yields each year in North America alone.
Vancouver’s Insporos offers a solution to these issues with its intelligent seed sorting system. By examining each seed for defects and diseases before planting, Insporos enables growers to significantly reduce wasted resources and improve the overall health of their crops. This precision ensures that only viable, healthy seeds are planted, increasing the predictability of yields and reducing the spread of disease.
The cornerstone of Insporos’ offering is its advanced seed sorting technology, a system capable of assessing and categorizing individual seeds based on a variety of traits. This technology is unprecedented in the market, providing a level of stability and predictability previously unavailable to greenhouse growers and nurseries.
By filtering out non-viable seeds before planting, Insporos allows growers to conserve valuable time, energy, and resources that would otherwise be wasted on plants destined for early discard. Furthermore, by detecting seed-borne diseases, Insporos plays a crucial role in mitigating the spread of these pathogens throughout the agricultural industry, contributing to healthier, more sustainable crop production practices.
Pitch Perfect
The agtech startup has made significant strides in its mission to revolutionize the seed sorting industry, harnessing a versatile technology that has applications across various seed segments. Driven by the passion and dedication of its two tech founders, the company has hit several milestones on their path to commercialization.
Insporos has won and participated in several pitch competitions, including StartUp Canada’s BC Tour, the Farmer’s Den Pitch at the Pacific Ag Show, and Global AgTech Summit in Regina, where a panel of farmers awarded the Vancouver startup with the top prize. They also recently won the Innovation OnBoard Pitch Competition, which not only landed them a cash prize but also secured them a free entry to this year’s New Ventures BC Competition. Insporos is hoping to use the NVBC Competition to network with a vibrant community of local founders and investors, and participate in valuable educational events. These experiences are critical as Insporos continues to grow and generate buzz in the industry.
Tightening the Supply Chain
Insporos’ primary focus is to foster a more sustainable food system by optimizing the chain of food production. Currently, farmers don’t have access to commercial technology to help them predict future plant traits or seed health. By empowering growers with precise, actionable insights, Insporos enables the cultivation of stronger, healthier, and more productive plants. This commitment not only reduces waste but also ensures a more resilient and sustainable food supply for future generations.
About the Founders
Mallory Flynn, Co-founder
Fun Fact: Mallory’s not a natural blonde.
Amanda Ackroyd, Co-founder
Fun Fact: Amanda is a natural redhead.
Company Cheatsheet:
City: Vancouver
Founded: July 2023
Sector: Agtech
