Cultivating the future of innovation in agriculture

The evoke^AG. Startup Program is designed to identify global startups with technology solutions that are helping solve Australian agricultural supply chain challenges, and connect scaleable global startups with the Australian and New Zealand ecosystem including investors and customers.

There will be four opportunities in the 2022 program, catering to founders at various stages of their startup journey – the Investor Pitch Dinner, Innovation Station, Global Solutions Demo Day and later in the year, the Startup Network.

evoke^AG. 2022 will be held on Wednesday, 23 February 2022 in Perth, Western Australia and Tuesday, 15 March 2022 in Sydney, NSW – providing an ideal platform for founders to showcase and engage with the agrifood tech community.

We caught up with some evoke^AG. collaborators to hear their advice to startups considering applying.

• Nancy Schellhorn: Co-Founder and CEO of RapidAIM and evoke^AG. 2020 Investor Pitch Finalist
• Robert Williams: Director, Agrifood of Australia’s largest early-stage venture capital firm, Artesian and evoke^AG. 2020 speaker
• John Harvey: Managing Director of AgriFutures Australia, evoke^AG. Steering Committee member and evoke^AG. 2019 and 2020 speaker.

What advice would you give startups thinking about applying for the program?

“Do it now. You will make great connections with people who are trying to achieve the same thing as you. Being a part of the excitement and enthusiasm is invaluable,” says Nancy.

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“I strongly encourage startups to apply for the program,” adds Rob. “The event has built a strong global brand over the last three years and has played a key role in bringing industry together. The event provides an excellent opportunity to engage with a diverse and growing set of investors interested in the agrifood technology opportunity.”

What role does evoke^AG. play in connecting investors with startups?

“evoke^AG. provides a global showcase for startups through tailored investor engagement opportunities and interactive exhibitions. It’s been instrumental in facilitating engagement with offshore partners, industry and investors alike,” explains Rob.

What opportunities does evoke^AG. provide the agrifood tech ecosystem?

John believes evoke^AG. plays a fundamental role in connecting Australia with innovation, locally and globally.

RELATED: Global collaboration needed to drive Australian agrifood innovation 

After involvement in the 2020 Startup Program, Nancy adds, “I can’t think of any better, highly concentrated agriculture and agritech focussed event. evoke^AG. is all about the future with innovation, and investors looking to partner.”

“The breadth of different streams through the 2022 program is fantastic. There is an opportunity to engage with startups interactively, coupled with the ability to have curated discussions through the startup workshops and the Investor Dinner. It’s an amazing event to engage with the startup community, and complements the opportunities and support that investors facilitate within the broader agrifood innovation ecosystem” says Rob.

RELATED: How startups can meaningfully connect with farmers post COVID-19

There is a new component to the program this year, the Global Solutions Demo Day. Why is it important that Australia attracts international technology?

“Providing high quality startups is vital to building the agrifood tech ecosystem in Australia and making it sustainable,” says John.

“It is critical that our farmers have access to the best technology from around the world, otherwise we will lose our competitive advantage and get left behind.”

“We need to make sure Australia is an early adopter of technology. The Global Solutions Demo Day will support this vision by showcasing some of the tech that is being developed in Australia and around other parts of the world,” says John.

Four opportunities to engage with the evoke^AG. 2022 Startup Program

evoke^AG.  2022 Startup Program connects Australia to agrifood technology from around the world and showcases the great technology being developed in Australia.

There are four opportunities for startups to get involved at evoke^AG. 2022.

1. Innovation Station
2. Investor Dinner
3. Global Solutions Demo Day
4. Startup Network

Applications open Monday, 4 October 2021 and close Monday, 25 October 2021.

For more information about the evoke^AG. 2022 Startup Program, eligibility criteria, entitlements and to apply visit: https://www.evokeag.com/startups/

evoke^AG. 2022 will take place Wednesday, 23 February 2022 in Perth, WA at Sandalford Wines and Tuesday, 15 March 2022 in Sydney, NSW at The Grounds of Alexandria.

Link to Communications Pack and supporting assets.

Key points:

• Applications for the evoke^AG. 2022 Startup Program are now open
• There are multiple streams in the program, which will attract local agritech developers to global agrifood scaleups
• The evoke Startup Program is part of evoke^AG. 2022 bi-coastal event – the Asia Pacific’s premier agrifood tech event that will take place in Perth and Sydney – attracting local and global investment
• Since 2019, the evoke Startup Program has supported dozens of Australian and global agrifood tech startups to raise awareness, attract investment, and connect with customers.

Media contact:
Georgie Robertson
Regional PR Co
[email protected]