Ag Tech Sunday - MLA, DPIRD partner with WA’s leading Ag Tech Accelerator program

By: "Farm Tender" News
Ag Company News
Aug 11, 2018
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The peak agricultural industry body and the WA state government department have come onboard as premium partners for the second round of the AgriStart HARVEST Accelerator program, HARVEST 2.0.

Announcing the program partnership with Meat & Livestock Australia Limited (MLA), the marketing, research and development body for Australia’s red meat and livestock industry, AgriStart Managing Director, Dr Tash Ayers said that support from MLA would open up new opportunities for WA businesses working on innovations that support the meat and livestock industry.

“Connecting the dots between innovators and industries is a key part of what HARVEST is all about. We are delighted to have the support of a national peak body like Meat and Livestock Australia on board this round and look forward to working with WA businesses looking to connect and grow within this industry,” Dr Ayers said.

Continuing their support of local innovation within the Western Australian Agtech Industry and following on from their role in a highly successful first round of the HARVEST Accelerator Program, the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development also returns as a premium partner for the second round.

The HARVEST 2.0 program is also supported by CSBP, Muresk Institute, the Wheatbelt Development Commission and Atomic Sky as silver partners, and Wrays, Gemstar, Liberty, Agworld, UWA and Triangle Capital as bronze partners.

HARVEST 2.0 will feature two programs: the HARVEST Agtech 12-week Accelerator Program based in Perth and the HARVEST Residential Intensive Program at Muresk Institute.

Expert mentors, growth facilitators, new markets, investment readiness

The HARVEST Agtech Accelerator program is an incredible opportunity for late-stage start-ups and SME’s looking to scale their business, attract investment, develop new networks and partnerships and explore new markets.

Featuring a line-up of inspiring expert mentors and growth facilitators, highly interactive workshops and informative panel sessions and field trips, this 12-week program will also cover:

· Positioning for growth, including strategic expansion planning

· New technology for agriculture, including tech site visits

· Export strategies and agri partners, including AgriSector corporate mentoring

· Increasing income, including investment readiness, marketing and positioning

· Pitch coaching and media training

· Opportunities to pitch to investors and showcase your technology to the industry

· And much more!

New regional program

AgriStart and the Muresk Institute have partnered to facilitate the new residential intensive Agri-Innovation Accelerator targeted to regional participants. The program will cover topics similar to the HARVEST Accelerator 12-week program. The program will be held over 1 week, between 17 – 21 September 2018, with all meals and accommodation provided

HARVEST success stories

The HARVEST Accelerator has so far provided incredible opportunities for participants to learn how to scale successfully and delivered new collaborations, product trials, new clients/distributors, or potential investment opportunities for many of the participants.

Round 1 participants, Scientific AeroSpace, were also winners of the Triangle Capital Innovation Export Award at the final

HARVEST pitch event.

"Scientific Aerospace benefited from participating in HARVEST by gaining some great introductions to farmers who are interested in trialling new technologies – these became our reference customers to trial our technology and this helped us decide what was a good scalable business.” (Joshua Portlock, Scientific Aerospace Chief Technology Officer).

See HARVEST Alumni list here - https://www.agristart.com.au/harvestalumni

WA’s burgeoning tech start-up sector and entrepreneurial innovation has huge benefits for partnering with the agricultural industry. Participating in a program like HARVEST can give you the tools, opportunities and connections you need to take your business to the next level. Don’t miss your opportunity to be mentored by the best. Apply now for HARVEST 2.0!

Applications are now open for both HARVEST Accelerator programs. Applications close Monday 13 August 2018. Apply now! https://www.agristart.com.au/harvest-accelerator-program/

https://www.agristart.com.au/