Tenacious Ventures

In the race to fund agri-food tech, well-meaning questions like “How many jobs will this create?” are quietly killing momentum. But what if the most transformative startups aren’t the ones with big headcounts — yet? Here, Tenacious Ventures’ Maddie Mitchell and Sarah Nolet unpack the hidden traps of early-stage impact measurement, and why Australia’s agtech sector is uniquely positioned to lead with long-term vision. From emissions blind spots to the timing trap, they argue that real impact takes patience, and the courage to wait.

Australia invests nearly $3 billion each year in agricultural R&D and boasts world-class research capabilities. Yet, we rank last among OECD countries for business collaboration with research institutions — leaving a persistent gap between groundbreaking discoveries and real-world innovation.
Here Tenacious Ventures’ Adam Taylor and Sarah Nolet unpack why this disconnect exists and share practical ways to bridge the gap. From misaligned incentives and cultural differences to examples of successful collaborations, they explore what it will take to turn Australia’s research advantage into commercial impact.

Venture capital is drying up, and agtech startups are feeling the chill. But Australia’s agtech sector is not just weathering the storm - it’s quietly building a more resilient, better-aligned future. Here, Tenacious Venture’s Maddie Mitchell and Sarah Nolet explore why now might be the most strategic time to invest in agtech, and how Australia’s unique trajectory could be its greatest strength.