News
Dickinson and Farm Credit Canada launch new funds for agri-food
September 19, 2026. From an article by Nykole King in the Saskatoon StarPhoenix.
The Saskatoon StarPhoenix reports on two new sources of capital for Canadian value-added food companies: Velocity Agri-Capital Partners, the growth equity fund led by Arlene Dickinson, which raised its first $150 million from Farm Credit Canada and is raising further capital from investors in Canada and abroad to help businesses find customers in Southeast Asia, and a $1 billion project financing fund opened by Farm Credit Canada, which is taking expressions of interest until November 13. Velocity expects to back about 12 companies with initial investments of $25 million each. The article also cites a Farm Credit Canada forecast that a food and beverage manufacturing sector growing by three per cent a year until 2035 would add $40 billion to national GDP and create 217,000 jobs.
Read the article on the Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Farm Credit Canada invests $150 million in new agri-food fund led by Arlene Dickinson
September 15, 2026. From an article by Jesse Cole in BetaKit.
BetaKit reports that Farm Credit Canada has committed $150 million as lead investor in Velocity Agri-Capital Partners, a growth equity fund led by Arlene Dickinson that is also raising capital from other Canadian and international investors. The fund will back later-stage, mid-market Canadian agriculture and food companies expanding into Southeast Asia, a region chosen for its trade agreements with Canada, its size and its food security needs, and it is also open to Southeast Asian companies setting up operations in Canada.
Read the article on BetaKit
Federal government unleashes $1 billion funding blitz for agri-food sector, $150 million allocated for export growth
September 14, 2026. From an article by Gerry Dewan in CTV News London.
CTV News London reports on the federal announcement made in London, Ontario: a $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund at Farm Credit Canada and a $150 million allocation to Velocity Agri-Capital Partners, the growth equity fund led by Arlene Dickinson, to back Canadian agri-food companies growing their exports.
Read the article on CTV News London
FCC lead investor for Velocity Agri-Capital with $150 million term sheet commitment
September 14, 2026. From a news release issued by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, Ontario.
Velocity Agri-Capital Partners will receive $150 million to focus on opportunities in the agri-food and agri-tech sectors across the value chain that are positioned to help strengthen Canada’s food system. Together, FCC and Velocity are accelerating commercialization, expanding processing capacity, diversifying supply chains, and building international pathways that strengthen resilience and competitiveness across Canada’s food system.
Read the full news release on Canada.ca
Dickinson launches growth fund to back Canadian agri-food companies looking to scale and potentially export to Southeast Asia
September 14, 2026. From an article by Catherine McIntyre in The Logic.
The Logic reports on the launch of Velocity Agri-Capital, a growth equity fund led by Arlene Dickinson, with $150 million committed by Farm Credit Canada as lead investor. The fund intends to make investments of roughly $25 million or more in about a dozen mid-market Canadian agriculture and food companies, from vertical farming and aquaculture to food processing, and to keep people on the ground in Southeast Asia to help those companies build a presence in the region.
Read the article on The Logic
