GRDC and Farmers2Founders (F2F) have partnered to launch TEKLAB Grains.TEKLAB Grains pathway of programs will support farmers, students, tech developers and aspiring entrepreneurs to accelerate the development of agtech concepts that solve challenges for the grains industry by learning the fundamentals of starting, launching and scaling a grains-focused agtech startup.

This grains-focused accelerator pathway supports entrepreneurs and startups from early-stage ideas and validation through to scale-up and commercialisation of agtech solutions to help increase grain growers' yield, efficiency, and profitability on farm.

Skye Raward, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Farmers2Founders, says the program will give grains startup founders a helping hand.

“We see lots of great ideas with the potential to solve critical challenges in the grains industry, but sometimes founders just need a helping hand to get started,” Ms Rayward says.

Millie Bach (Loggie Road) Hone program: "I have benefitted immensely from the knowledge of the F2F crew to help me grow my idea and business." Photo: Millie Bach

“The TEKLAB Grains program pathway will de-risk the development of ideas and give the start-ups the tools and resources needed to start and save time and money in the process.

“We also have a later stage grains-focused program ‘Harvest’, for high potential agtech businesses looking to scale and fast track their operations into national and international markets.”

GRDC business development manager Tim Spencer says the TEKLAB Grains program gives GRDC an opportunity to see and support ideas and opportunities from early stages through to nearing market entry, which are some of the most challenging periods for a start-up.

“The TEKLAB Grains program is part of a series of GRDC investments aimed to support novel and innovative technology and business concepts, particularly those arising directly from non-traditional sources such as innovative growers, and entrepreneurs,” Mr Spencer says.

The TEKLAB Grains programs include:

Pre-Accelerator Pathway Program for early stage agtech startups:

• The JourneyStarter: The first step in the program pathways is a self-paced online course that will help you explore and refine your grains-focused agrifood tech concept.
• Hatch: A 6-week program where your ideas are hatched and validated with real customers to determine problem-solution fit. Applications are open now, closing on the 23rd of February 2024. At the end of the Hatch Program, you will have the opportunity to pitch for a place in the next stage, Hone.
• Hone: A 10-week program where you will build and launch your MVP to test product-market fit and establish a viable business model.

Accelerator Program for agtech scaleups:

• Harvest: A 4-month program designed to equip high-potential agtech businesses with the capabilities needed to scale into national and international markets.

Applications for TEKLAB Grains 2024 programs are now open or book a call with one of the F2F team.