- CSIRO Launches RISE Accelerator: Aimed at startups and SMEs with innovative agritech solutions.
- Focus on Climate Smart Agritech: Enhancing productivity and resilience amid climate and resource challenges.
- Program Includes Learning and Coaching: Nine-month duration with both online and in-person sessions, and travel opportunities.
- Applications Open Until September 15, 2024: No cost for startups; grants up to A$75,000 available.
Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is calling on startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with groundbreaking agritech solutions to apply for the India Australia Rapid Innovation Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator.
The program, set to begin in October, aims to support businesses looking to expand between Australia and India.
The RISE Accelerator’s Climate Smart Agritech cohort will focus on technologies that enhance agricultural productivity and resilience amid climate variability, resource scarcity, and food insecurity.
The program is particularly interested in solutions that address farmer needs and align with on-farm practices.
Launched in 2023, the RISE Accelerator helps startups and SMEs validate, adapt, and pilot their technologies in new markets, facilitating connections with potential partners and customers.
Participants will be selected based on the scalability, deployability, and innovation of their agritech solutions.
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Tamara Ogilvie, Director of the RISE Accelerator program, noted the program’s goal of integrating participants into new innovation ecosystems. “Our agricultural contexts share similarities, but the scale and nature of farming are unique,” Ogilvie said. “This program offers participants an opportunity to quickly adapt and find market fit for their technologies abroad.”
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The nine-month program includes both online and in-person learning sessions, in-country travel for market insights, and one-on-one coaching from industry professionals. Current participant Naomi Vowels, co-founder of givvable, highlighted the value of the program’s Immersion Weeks, which involve intensive learning and networking in Australia and India.
The RISE Accelerator, part of the Australian Government’s India Economic Strategy 2022, focuses on addressing global agricultural challenges such as boosting productivity, reducing emissions, and optimising resource use.
Dr. Rose Roche, CSIRO’s Ag2050 Program Lead, emphasised the importance of continuous innovation for sustainable farming. “Developing and scaling innovative solutions is crucial for future farming systems,” Roche said. “Supporting startups and SMEs can drive groundbreaking solutions due to their agility and creativity.”
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Applications for the RISE Accelerator close on September 15, 2024. There is no cost for startups to participate, with opportunities for travel between Australia and India, and eligibility for non-equity grants up to A$75,000. For more information and to apply, or to join the info session on August 28, 2024, visit the RISE Accelerator website.
The RISE Accelerator is a collaboration between CSIRO and the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog India’s flagship initiative for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
