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CSIRO’s RISE Accelerator Program Calls for Agritech Startups with Global Aspirations

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is inviting agritech startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with innovative solutions to apply for the India Australia Rapid Innovation Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator. This program is designed to support businesses with ambitions to expand between the two countries.

Starting in October, the RISE Accelerator’s Climate Smart Agritech cohort will focus on businesses developing technologies and solutions that enhance agricultural productivity and resilience, particularly in response to increasing climate variability, resource scarcity, and food insecurity. The program seeks startups and SMEs that prioritize farmer needs, on-farm practices, and scalable solutions.

Launched in 2023, the RISE Accelerator assists startups and SMEs by helping them validate, adapt, and pilot their technologies in new markets. Additionally, the program facilitates connections with potential partners and customers to enhance their success in the international market.

RISE Accelerator participants beneft from one-on-one coaching and mentorship from industry professionals spanning India and Australia.

Tamara Ogilvie, CSIRO’s RISE Accelerator Program Director, emphasized that participants will be selected based on the scalability, deploy ability, and innovation of their agritech solutions for the alternate country.

“Our agricultural contexts share some commonalities, but the scale of farming operations and farmer livelihoods are quite unique,” Ms. Ogilvie said. “Through the program, participants will have the opportunity to rapidly integrate into overseas innovation ecosystems they might not otherwise access, helping them achieve product-market ft for their technologies.”

Over nine months, participants will engage in a combination of self-paced online and in-person learning sessions, including in-country travel to gain deeper market insights.

The program also offers one-on-one coaching and mentorship from industry professionals.

Naomi Vowels, co-founder of givvable and a participant in the current circular economy cohort, highlighted the value of the program’s Immersion Weeks— intensive learning, site visits, and networking opportunities in both Australia and India.

“Travelling to India has underscored the immense value of faceto-face interactions. It’s a fantastic way for us, as an Australian business, to understand our market and connect with our customers,” Ms. Vowels said.

The RISE Accelerator, established under the Australian Government’s India Economic Strategy 2022, addresses global challenges with a focus on climate and environmental issues. The upcoming round aims to fnd innovative solutions to critical agricultural challenges, such as boosting productivity, reducing emissions, and optimizing natural resource use.

Dr. Rose Roche,

CSIRO’s Ag2050 Program Lead, emphasized the importance of continuous innovation in ensuring proftable, productive, and sustainable farming systems for 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 in accelerating their solutions is crucial, as their agility and creativity often lead to groundbreaking advancements.”

Applications for the RISE Accelerator program close on Sunday, 15 September 2024. The program is free for startups, and participants may also be eligible for up to A$75,000 in non-equity grants, with multiple opportunities to travel between Australia and India.

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