Are you at the forefront of agricultural technology? Do you have an innovative agtech solution that could redefine grain growing in Australia?

Expressions of interest are now open for the GRDC GroundUp Program and startup founders with innovative, real-world solutions to improve grain farming productivity and practices are encouraged to apply.

The GroundUp Program, a partnership between the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and Agtech and Logistics Hub, is part of a suite of GRDC investments aimed at accelerating agtech innovation for the Australian grains industry.

The program is calling for innovators to work directly with growers to ground-truth their potential commercial solutions before going to market.

(left to right) Jane Bunn and Reeanjou Ram with 2023 GroundUp participant Sarah Donovan. Photo: Agribusiness Connect

GRDC business development manager Tim Spencer says industry being involved from an early stage will ensure results are tailored to the needs of grain growers and provide real-world solutions.

“The GroundUp program is looking to help support innovators to take their technologies to the next level and deliver solutions for grain growers,” Mr Spencer says.

Agtech and Logistics Hub Director Thomas Hall says the accelerator was crucial given the importance of grain growers to Australia’s economy.

“The grains industry is our largest agricultural sector, with more than 22,000 grain farms across the country.

“It’s important for grain growers to have access to new technologies that can improve their environmental practices, while increasing productivity and profitability.

Our GroundUp program has been designed to fast-track the development of this innovation by partnering with industry.

“Last year’s program accelerated some incredible technology, including advanced drones - capable of locating pests and diseases bigger than five millimetres, and revolutionary spray technology from a company that has just signed an agreement to distribute to Australian and New Zealand growers.

“We look forward to seeing what this year’s GroundUp innovators bring to the table and seeing how we can provide them with an opportunity to work with industry to advance their solutions.

Innovators that meet the following eligibility and criteria are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility and criteria

• You are a founder with a clear understanding of the problem the grains sector is trying to solve.
• Your application demonstrates your skills, and that of your team, to implement your solution.
• You demonstrate a willingness to collaborate and engage with other stakeholders in the sector, including farmers, industry, and other technology companies.
• You are open to feedback about your solution and willing to adapt as required.
• You can demonstrate any/some market validation for your proposed solution.
• Your solution is underpinned by biotech and decision support to innovate productivity, decision-making, and/or operations within the supply chain.
• Your solution complements Australian grain growers and their commitment to sustainable, responsible farming.
• Your solution clearly benefits Australian grain growers.

The program also includes an industry Demo Day event where innovators demonstrate their solutions to potential investors and growers.

For more details and to express your interest, visit the Agtech and Logistics Hub GroundUp Program page.