New program to encourage Australia’s agricultural technology
AUSTRALIA’S only “super incubator”, Cicada Innovations, in partnership with MLA Donor Company, is calling for applicants to its Australian-first deep technology AgTech program for the Australian agriculture and food sectors.
The program, called GrowLab, is designed to help talented agricultural technologists capture a portion of the $100 billion Australian AgTech opportunity by guiding them through the process of commercialising their advanced AgTech innovations in areas such as robotics, animal health, remote sensing, food technologies and decision support tools.
The participants will already have a technology that can be applied to the agriculture or food sectors and GrowLab will provide the tools, structure and milestones to determine how best this technology could be turned into a start-up company.
It is the only AgTech program in Australia focused on advanced technologies that go beyond simple mobile applications and will comprise eight to 10 individuals or teams with ideas capable of transforming agricultural practices and food production.
“The opportunities in agricultural technology are absolutely huge in Australia at the moment and are expected to contribute over $189 billion between 2013 and 2022,” said Cicada Innovations chief executive officer Petra Andren.
The program will run from September until November and will involve one day per week of training for 12 weeks, culminating in a public showcase and investor pitch where promising businesses can receive the investment needed to move forward.
Applications close July 21. GrowLab is offered free of charge. In 2017, projects with direct applications to the red meat and livestock industry will be prioritised.
Apply at www.cicadainnovations.com/growlab/.