UFA Co-operative Announces Engagement with the University of Saskatchewan

News Release

March 27, 2024

New sponsorship of the Opus startup incubator program means new opportunities for UFA Membership.

(Calgary, Alberta)—UFA Co-operative Ltd. (“UFA”) is pleased to announce that it will sponsor the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Opus pre-accelerator program, a startup incubator that provides aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools needed to build successful ventures on campus.

This strategic collaboration will deliver many benefits and opportunities to UFA and its member-owners, including access to key innovators in Saskatchewan and a pipeline to regional startups. USask fosters entrepreneurial thinking and culture by engaging students, faculty, staff, and the community through the incubator. Their unique Opus program is part of the university’s overarching call to “Be What the World Needs”.

We are proud to support and guide innovative research taking place in USask’s Opus program. Our partnership leverages the ingenuity and talent of energetic, bright entrepreneurs to strengthen Saskatchewan’s innovation network. We value young pioneering minds, and it’s exciting that together, we can help build a healthy innovation ecosystem, positioning Saskatchewan as a leader in sustainable Agtech solutions and ultimately benefitting the farmers and ranchers we serve.”

Lisa Kissick, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at UFA.

“The alliance with USask demonstrates UFA’s commitment to advocating on behalf of our membership, elevating the next generation of entrepreneurs with the resources and expertise to address challenges facing the global agriculture sector, and collaborating on solutions that create value for producers,” adds Kissick. “As we expand operations into Saskatchewan, the partnership also illustrates our commitment to ensuring rural communities in Saskatchewan grow and thrive for future generations.”

USask is excited about this promising partnership with UFA, which will allow us to accelerate USask’s groundbreaking research, scholarly and artistic works. USask is known for our substantial research contributions to the agriculture industry. Through Opus, we can propel our world-leading research and innovation to the fields, to the producers and to the rural customers of the Prairies. We look forward to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and transforming ideas into reality, together."

Dr. Baljit Singh, Vice-President Research, USask

For more information about Opus, visit their website here.

About UFA Co-operative Ltd.:

Founded in 1909, UFA Co-operative Ltd. is an Alberta-based agricultural co-operative with more than 120,000 member-owners. UFA’s network comprises more than 114 bulk fuel and Cardlock Petroleum locations, 34 Farm & Ranch Supply stores, and a support office located in Calgary. Independent Petroleum Agents and more than 950 UFA employees provide products, services, and agricultural solutions to farmers, ranchers, members, and commercial customers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. For more information, visit www.UFA.com.

About the University of Saskatchewan:

The University of Saskatchewan (USask), located in the vibrant city of Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis, is leading the way in tackling pressing problems like water and food security. Research, teaching and learning at USask is enhanced by our array of world-class research centres and facilities.

With more than 25,700 students from around the globe, including nearly 3,300 self-declared Indigenous students and more than 3,400 international students, our strong community and well-recognized experts will continue to drive USask to be the university the world needs.

For media inquiries: 

Trish Nixon
UFA External Affairs
Trish.Nixon@UFA.com
403-875-7595

 
Brooke Kleiboer
USask Media Relations
brooke.kleiboer@usask.ca
306-966-1388