Farmbucks gains national buzz with major startup award

Image credit: Michelle Larmand Photography.

A local app development has garnered national attention for their service that looks to make the lives of the farmer easier.

Farmbucks, the app created by Lynn Schappert of the St. Paul area, received the Telus Pitch Most Promising Startup award at the final pitch ceremony in Toronto.

It goes to the business in the field with the most grit, passion and dedication to achieving their vision.

Farmbucks was named a top ten finalist for the Telus Pitch competition, which saw various small businesses enter to try and win $100,000, determined by an expert panel that included Arlene Dickenson from CBC’s Dragons Den and executives from Facebook and Samsung.

Schappert discovered the competition by simply scrolling on Facebook, she said.

The prize winnings include $5,000 in Facebook ad credits, a one-year membership to Workhaus and a bootcamp session with a Facebook expert.

Garrick Tiplady, Managing Director, Facebook Canada presented the award to Schappert.

“I’m unbelievably passionate about the founder and the founder’s story and what she has done and what she has done for the community,” said Tiplady when presenting the award.

‘Confidence booster’

“We’re thankful to receive Most Promising Startup, which is a nice confidence booster. And it’s nice to be recognized for the work that we’re doing right in the industry,” said Schappert.

“By winning this award, I made some really good networking connections. It’s kind of moved along other talks and opportunities.”

Farmbucks aggregates all the available bids on grain, wheat, barley, and so on into one place so it’s easier for farmers to find out the best price for their crop.

The app went public in January.

Schappert said she’s trying to continue automation with the app and improve its features. They’re also looking at potential investors in the future to grow outside of Canada.

“We’re working on major app improvements and then just expanding our business.

“It’s exciting because I have gained some pretty big recognition I think and people that are aware of what we’re doing, and they’re watching us and they’re interested. And interested in not only in just what we’re doing, but taking part and being a part of it,” said Schappert.