Attention agrifood tech innovators: Applications now open for the evoke^AG. 2025 Startup Program

Applications are now open for the evoke^AG. 2025 Startup Program, where 40 high-potential agrifood tech startups will receive a free pass to participate in evoke^AG. 2025 in Brisbane on 18-19 February 2025.

The evoke^AG. 2025 Startup Program offers a unique platform for Startupsand Scaleups to showcase their solutions to key challenges in agriculture, attract investment, forge commercial partnerships and drive positive change in the agrifood sector.

Australian-based innovators in agritech, foodtech, spacetech, climate tech, biotech and sustainability are encouraged to apply, with ten places offered to international startups.

The evoke^AG. 2025 Startup Program features:

• Startup Alley: A diverse cohort of 40 Startups tackling global agricultural challenges will have the chance to showcase their solutions at evoke, meet investors, engage with industry leaders, and join the network of evoke^AG. alumni.
• Scaleup Station: Twelve agrifood Scaleups that have previously participated in Startup Alley will have the opportunity to demonstrate their technology at evoke, connect with potential partners, and accelerate their growth.
• Demo Stage: A demo stage in the exhibition hall will give Startups and Scaleups the opportunity to present their agrifood technologies to potential customers, and facilitate connections with investors, potential partners and industry experts.
• Culinary Capital: The 2025 Culinary Capital dinner has been reimagined to create deeper connections between startups, investors, producers, and corporates. Ten companies, including two international companies from the Program will be given the opportunity to participate in an interactive dinner, featuring rotating tables designed to facilitate meaningful discussions about their products and foster valuable relationships.
• Agventure Downunder: A new initiative for 2025 will see ten international agrifood tech Startups be given the opportunity to expand their technology into the Australian markets. Startups will gain insights on navigating the Australian market, building networks with key stakeholders, and receive tailored support for market access and technology trials, all within a program that positions Australia’s diverse landscapes as a global test bed for agrifood innovations.

Harriet Mellish, General Manager of Global Innovation Networks at AgriFutures, encourages Startups and Scaleups from local and global markets to seize this opportunity to showcase their technology alongside world-leading thought leaders, innovators and companies, and accelerate the success of their ventures.

“evoke^AG. is where the future of agriculture takes shape. Our Startup Program is not just about showcasing innovation, it’s about empowering the next generation of agrifood leaders to tackle the sector’s most pressing challenges,” Mellish said.

“By bringing together the brightest minds and the most groundbreaking technologies in the agrifood tech sector, we are building a stronger and more interconnected ecosystem for the future.”

Since its inception in 2019 the evoke^AG. Startup Program has been instrumental in fostering a thriving agrifood innovation community, supporting the growth of 142 Startups globally.

Fern Ho, Co-Founder and CEO of The Leaf Protein Co. and 2024 Startup Program alumni, spoke on how the program has boosted her startup’s success.

“As an early-stage Startup, evoke^AG. has helped us make some of the best connections in the agrifood industry. A number of these experts we now work closely with as mentors or they have joined the business. I’d absolutely recommend any agrifood startup in Australia to apply for the opportunity to give your business fantastic exposure to the agrifood industry, not just in Australia but also with many of the delegates who come from overseas,” Fern said.

In June, The Leaf Protein Co. raised $850,000 in a pre-seed round to support the expansion of their pilot plant and the start of commercial production. The raise was led by the University of Melbourne’s Genesis Pre-Seed Fund, LaunchVic’s agtech sidecar fund, Loyal VC and the Hugh Victor Mckay Fund.

evoke^AG.  is where the global agrifood tech and innovation world converges to find common ground to address challenges and drive a more productive, profitable and sustainable agrifood supply chain.

Applications for the evoke^AG. 2025 Startup Program are open from Monday, 16 September 2024, until Sunday, 20 October 2024.

For more information on eligibility criteria, the program, and how to apply, visit Startup Program

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Ellie McCarthy

Dentsu Creative PR

[email protected] | 0499 355 439

About evoke^AG.

evoke^AG. is powered by AgriFutures Australia and funded by the Australian Government, Platinum Partner Elders, Host State Partner the Government of Queensland and Host City Partner Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA).

The event is a leading global agrifood technology and innovation event that unites the agrifood innovation community across the Asia Pacific and around the world. It is a showcase of bold ideas, groundbreaking innovations and disruptive science driving agriculture towards a better future.

The 2025 evoke^AG. theme, Common Ground calls upon the global agrifood tech and innovation community to unite on common ground to solve shared challenges and seize future opportunities, together.

The 2025 event is set to take place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 18 and 19 February, shining a spotlight on Queensland’s $23bn agricultural industry.

evoke^AG. 2025 is an invitation to founders, funders and adopters to break out of siloes, to come together to find common ground, and collectively translate innovation into action.