Stephanie Palmer-Derrien

Where once investment in plant-based meat innovation seemed unstoppable, it seemed the glaze had started to wear off. However, the Food Frontier 2023 State of the Industry report into the Australian industry paints a picture of evolution, growth and — ultimately — a strong future.
The Australian sector is maturing, beyond the buzzwords and bold promises, settling into the rhythm of a functioning industry. But change is afoot.

In a challenging market for venture capital, agrifood tech investors are not only looking for innovations that could change the world, they’re looking for the founders who can make change happen. That means resilience, creativity, and something that looks a bit like courage.
AgFunder Founding Partner Michael Dean and Olympia Yarger, Founder and CEO of maggot-powered food waste management startup, Goterra explore the funding challenges in this market. For both, the key to success comes from a passion to solve the problem – and a sheer inability to give up.

Investment in Australian agrifood tech remained relatively robust last year – even in the face of a global downturn. Now, local data for 2023 suggests it’s continuing to hold strong. Leading the way are upstream, climate-conscious innovations.

It’s your last chance to get your application in for the evoke^AG. Startup Program. With applications closing on Monday, 23 October, AgriFutures Program Manager, Dallas Pearce is expecting applications in climate tech, mining tech, and everything in between – and she encourages startups from across the agri-food tech spectrum to apply.

Applications for the evoke^AG. Startup Program are officially open, offering startups and scaleups the opportunity to connect with potential investors, partners and customers at evoke^AG. 2024. For founders throwing their hats into the ring, program manager Dallas Pearce has seven tips for success.

Melbourne startup Gaia Project Australia has been recognised by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) as a Phase Two winner of the prestigious Deep Space Food Challenge. Despite this astronomic accolade, Founder Nadun Hennayaka says his space tech could help solve global food challenges down on Earth.