Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, is inviting startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with innovative agritech solutions to apply for the India Australia Rapid Innovation Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator, a program designed to support businesses aiming to expand between the two countries.
Commencing in October, the Climate Smart Agritech cohort of the RISE Accelerator program will focus on businesses with technologies and solutions that enhance agricultural productivity and resilience in the face of growing climate variability, resource scarcity and food insecurity.
The program is particularly interested in startups and SMEs with solutions that prioritise farmer needs, priorities, and on-farm practices.
The RISE Accelerator was launched in 2023 and supports startups and SMEs by helping them to validate, adapt and pilot their technologies in new markets. The program also facilitates connections with potential partners and customers to boost their chances of success in the new market.
Tamara Ogilvie, CSIRO's RISE Accelerator program director, said participants will be competitively selected based on how scalable, deployable, and innovative their agritech solutions are for the alternate country.
"Our agricultural contexts share some commonalities, but the scale of farming operations and farmer livelihoods are very unique," Ms Ogilvie said.
"Through the program, participants will have the opportunity to rapidly integrate into overseas innovation ecosystems they might otherwise not have access to, helping them achieve product-market fit for their technologies."
Over the course of nine months, participants benefit from both self-paced online and in-person learning sessions, including in-country travel to gain deeper market insights. They also receive one-on-one coaching and mentorship from industry professionals throughout the program.
Naomi Vowels, co-founder of givvable and RISE participant in the current circular economy cohort, said the opportunity to take part in the program's Immersion Weeks – one week of intensive learning, site visits and networking in Australia and another in India – proved particularly valuable.
"Travelling to India has reinforced the immense value of face-to-face interactions. It's a fantastic way for us, as an Australian business, to understand our market and connect with our customers."
Established under the Australian Government's India Economic Strategy 2022, the RISE Accelerator addresses global challenges with a focus on climate and environmental issues.
The program's latest round seeks novel solutions to tackle critical agricultural challenges, including boosting productivity, reducing emissions and optimising natural resource use.
Dr Rose Roche, CSIRO's Ag2050 Program Lead, said continuous innovation is crucial when it comes ensuring profitable, productive and sustainable farming systems into the future.
"To support national economies and farmer livelihoods, we need to develop and scale innovative solutions in land use and food security that are suited to our changing climate and growing global population," Dr Roche said.
"Fostering collaboration and supporting startups and SMEs to accelerate their solutions can play a critical role in this regard, as their agility and creativity often lead to groundbreaking solutions."
Applications for the RISE Accelerator program close on Sunday 15 September 2024.
There is no charge for startups to participate in the program, with a number of opportunities to travel between Australia and India. Participating startups may also be eligible for up to A$75,000 in non-equity grants.
