“An opportunity not to be missed”: Why you should apply for the evokeAG. Startup Program 2024
It’s your last chance to get your application in for the evokeAG. 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.
According to Dallas each element of the Startup Program offers different, unique opportunities for startups, depending on their stage of growth.
evokeAG.’s flagship Startup Alley allows businesses to showcase their technology and innovation to an international audience, she explained.
Startup Alley at evokeAG. 2023 in Adelaide.
“We have such a diverse audience that comes to evokeAG., ranging from investors and customers, to universities and researchers – it really opens up an opportunity for these startups to accelerate their customer base and investment opportunities.”
RELATED: Calling agrifood tech innovators: Applications now open for 2024 evokeAG. Startup Program
For 2024, the Investor Pitch dinner has been reimagined as the Culinary Capital dinner. It’s still focused on funding, but takes into account the different needs of different businesses.
“It could be venture capital or family office investment, or it could be producers or corporates wanting to invest in technology … we’re opening that up for startups to pitch not only for investment, but also for corporate customers,” Dallas said.
Finally, the Scaleup Station is a new opportunity for Startup Alley alumni that are no longer newcomers, but aren’t quite ready to be event partners.
It bridges a gap, Dallas explained, highlighting the evolution of the businesses.
“It shows the delegates that these companies are the real deal.”
Why apply?
For startups and scaleups alike, the Startup Program offers exposure, marketing opportunities and connections, Dallas said.
Previous participants include connectivity startup Zetifi and robotic agriculture startup SwarmFarm, which successfully raised after pitching at the Investor Dinner in 2020 and 2022.
Zetifi CEO and Founder, Dan Winson pitching at the 2022 Investor Pitch Dinner
RELATED: Seven tips for nailing your evokeAG. Startup Program application
Startup Alley is always a hub of deal flow, Dallas said. But the opportunities go way beyond funding. For example, in 2023 vertical farming startup InvertiGro ended up selling one of the cubes it had on display.
“It’s the incidental opportunities,” Dallas says.
“We put the startups in the room, and we bring everyone into that room.”
RELATED: Why you should apply for the evokeAG 2024 Startup Program
Who should apply?
The Startup Program is of course tailored to agrifood tech startups. However, increasingly, Dallas has noticed crossover between agrifood tech and other sectors – think space tech, climate tech and energy tech.
“I would love to see applications from startups that have technology transfer,” Dallas said.
“We’ve got the agrifood tech ecosystem, but there are a lot of players on the fringes of that that still benefit Australian and global agriculture.”
In particular, there’s a lot of technology in mining that could be applied to agriculture.
“We are in Perth, and mining is such a huge part of the Western Australian economy. So, it would be great to see those companies coming through.”
Dallas also expects to see an increase in applications from climate tech startups.
“We’re really facing unpredictable times with our climate right now, and there’s a lot of great technology being developed focused on sustainability … hopefully we will see that this year.”
The Startup Program offers opportunities for any startup with relevance to agrifood tech sphere, Dallas said.
“Anyone who wants that little push and a little acceleration of their business really should apply.
“Everyone you could ever want to be involved in your business will be in the room. It’s definitely not an opportunity to miss.”
Applications for the evokeAG. 2024 Startup Program close Monday, 23 October 2023. For more information on the evokeAG. 2024 Startup Program and Scaleup opportunities, eligibility criteria, entitlements and to apply visit: evokeag.com/startups.
For more information about evokeAG. 2024, and to purchase tickets visit evokeag.com/2024. AgriFutures Australia is encouraging delegates to secure their tickets, flights, and accommodation early to avoid disappointment.