Future Agro Challenge Australia

We're very excited to announce KPMG Partner and Head of AgriFood Tech Ben van Delden as one of our guest speakers for the Future Agro Challenge Australia (AusFAC) for 2019!

Why is Ben a part of AusFAC? Coming from a family business background in aquaculture, livestock and horticulture, Ben has a passion for the agribusiness sector. He has experience at every level of farm and food innovation - developing regional plans to increase farm output, working with the agriculture industry through groups like the Meat & Livestock Association and grower groups to identify solutions for farmers, and being involved with agtech incubators and startups to assess market opportunities and accelerate commercialisation.

We can't wait to bring Ben's incredible expertise to the Tablelands and hear the insights that he has for our local farmers and competing entrepreneurs.

#BePartofTheFarmingRevolution

Are you the next Australian Agripreneur of the Year?

👉👉Applications close today for the Future Agro Challenge Australia.

The selected finalists will receive up to $500 to pay travel expenses to the Atherton Tablelands to compete at AusFAC.

Startup incubators, accelerators and competitions can open up huge opportunities. But why should food or agtech startups add AusFAC to their list of must-dos?

AusFAC is the Australian arm of a global competition - in fact, it's the largest competition in the world to find innovative and fundable food and agriculture startups and solutions. So what AusFAC can offer your startup or business is global connections!

Our winner gets an expenses paid entry (that includes travel!) to the global Future Agro Challenge, where they have access to international food and agtech mentors, clients, investors, and corporate contacts. It's a massive opportunity to expand your startup to the world.

Our 2018 AusFAC winner SwarmFarm Robotics has just returned from the Global Future Agro Challenge in Greece, while our 2017 winner AgUnity got to travel to Turkey. Where will our 2019 winner get to go?

#BePartofTheFarmingRevolutionAusFAC is looking for innovative and fundable startup businesses in the following industries:

Food tech
Ag tech
Agroforestry and husbandry
Food or beverage product or retail
Food security and sustainability
Food waste
Nutrition and health
Food safety
Packaging and logistics
Agriculture education
Agriculture tourism
Agriculture production and processing

Eligible startups must meet the following criteria:

Exist no longer than 5 years
Have an innovative or scalable business idea or model in the agrifood innovation sector
Your business model and customer segment are clear
You have initial market traction, or you have developed your Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
Your technology or innovation is unique, strong and applicable

To nominate, visit the Global FAC website at https://facagro.com/login/?form=competition and register your entry.

You can find out more by contacting StartUp & Innovation Tablelands on fac@startuptablelands.org or 0409 567 686. Nominations close today, 9th October 2019.

Apply Now

Meet our next guest speaker and our first JUDGE! AusFAC is bringing Queensland Chief Entrepreneur Leanne Kemp on her first visit to the Tablelands!

Leanne is the Founder & CEO of Everledger, a startup that uses blockchain to securely track the source and journey of high-value assets - like diamonds, artwork and wine - to guarantee consumers that they products have been sourced ethically and are genuine.

Leanne is respected as a world leader in technology and innovation. With the increasing use of blockchain for transparency and security in agriculture transactions and to give consumers an understanding of where their food comes from, we can't wait to hear Leanne's insights for our farmers!