Calgary startup gets nearly $900K to develop energy-saving indoor farming technology

A Calgary-based startup is receiving nearly $895,000 in federal funding to develop and test technology designed to make indoor farming more energy-efficient.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald announced the funding today during a visit to Hydragreens Produce Ltd. in Calgary. The investment will support SmartGRO Bioengineering Inc. through the federal Agricultural Clean Technology Program.

SmartGRO is developing an AI-powered lighting system that uses ultra-fast pulsing LED lights and plant sensors to adjust lighting based on crop conditions. The company says controlled testing has shown the technology can produce similar harvest weights while using up to 80 per cent less electricity than conventional LED lighting.

The technology is being tested at commercial scale at Hydragreens Produce in Calgary, with the company contributing more than $916,000 to the project.

The federal government says the investment is part of its broader push to expand controlled-environment agriculture and increase year-round production of fruits and vegetables in Canada.

SmartGRO has also received support from Alberta innovation programs for further development and commercial demonstration of its lighting technology.

The company says reducing energy use could help indoor growers lower operating costs while reducing the environmental impact of year-round food production.