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Tag: Agriculture / Agtech

DEADLINE: Innovate with nbn Grants program

Delivered in partnership with the Regional Australia Institute, the program is celebrating its sixth year of supporting regional businesses that are using the nbn® network to drive innovation, improve productivity, and deliver meaningful social outcomes in their communities.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, this is a chance to be recognised- and be rewarded! With prize money available across multiple categories, it’s time to showcase your impact.

Aligned to the nbn® purpose to elevate Australia by connecting people and powering progress, this year’s program features seven categories, including a new Sport & Recreation category and a combined Arts & Tourism category. Each category winner will receive $15,000, with an additional $20,000 awarded to the overall winner.

Who can apply?

digital businesses in regional and remote Australia who are:

  • making the most of the nbn® network to help enable regional Australians to live, learn and work in a digital society
  • challenging the traditional markets in regional Australia
  • lifting digital participation and stimulating regional economies
  • championing digital adoption for regional and remote communities

AARP Networking Event

The Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct (AARP) is a world-leading collaborative innovation hub and Australia’s largest test and development site supporting the advancement of automation, robotics, remote operations and zero emissions technologies globally.

As a leading global destination for technology trailblazers, the AARP’s state-of-the-art facilities provide large corporates, small to medium enterprises and startups access to multi-purpose and multi-use test beds for testing and development of robotics and autonomous equipment to accelerate technology development in real-world conditions, without the obstacles of accessing a production environment.

Each month the AARP hosts exciting events designed to connect the robotics and automation ecosystem, share insights, and explore the latest in robotics technology.

WA Food and Beverage Market Development Workshops

Join the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) for our Market Development Workshops. Across 1.5 days, participants will gain valuable insight into how to navigate export markets and learn how to perfect their pitch for domestic and international markets.

We will kick off with the Beyond Borders: Export Focus workshop on day one, followed by the Pitch Perfect half-day workshop on day two. Participants are welcome to register for both workshops or can attend just one of the days. 

Workshops:

Beyond Borders: Export Focus workshop (Day 1: Wednesday 24th September | 9am – 4pm | The Hub, Bentley)

Pitch Perfect: Domestic & International Markets workshop (Day 2: Thursday 25th September | 9am – 1pm | The Hub, Bentley)

Info Session: WA Food Industry Education Collaboration (WAFEC) Program

If you operate a WA-based food & beverage sector business with a need for STEM talent, the WA Food Industry Education Collaboration (WAFEC) program might be just the solution you need! The WAFEC team can connect your business with Western Australia’s top STEM students to undertake business-led projects.

Register here to join the online information session on August 21st at 10am AWST and hear how the program works and the experience of a business who has joined the WAFEC journey. There’s no better time to start thinking about how a STEM intern could tackle those business challenges you’ve been planning to address.

SIFT Connect Open Night

All Peel Food & Bev Companies are invited to join this relaxed, info-packed evening for early-stage food and beverage founders looking to grow smarter, faster, and more sustainably.
What to Expect:
  • SIFT Centre Tour – Get a firsthand look at WA’s purpose-built space designed to help food & drink startups scale.
  • Know Your Stuff Panel – From Start to Market with Shire of Murray Dr Danica-Lea Larcombe on the steps to getting your business registered with local government, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development David Leevers discussing the $20,000 agrifood and beverage voucher program, Future Food Systems Dr James Krahe sharing insights on new product development and Peel Produce Markets Megan Walsh on go to market strategies.
  • Real Talk Panel – “Building a business from below the ground up” Adam Wilson, founder of Great Southern Truffles, will share how he grew his business from an idea in a garage to a free-hold food factory in Osborne Park.
  • Moderated by David Doepel, Managing Director of SIFT and serial entrepreneur.
  • Frank and fearless Q&A. – Your chance to get honest advice from someone who’s been there.
  • Meet with like-minded People – Network with fellow makers, founders, and potential collaborators in a collegial setting.

DEADLINE: AEA Innovate Grant EOIs

AEA Innovate provides funding for projects at TRL 5 to 7, and up to $5 million per grant for up to 2 years.

Innovate grants support mid-stage research commercialisation through competitive grants of up to $5 million for a maximum period of 24 months.

These grants are available for researchers at Australian universities to collaborate with industry to advance projects that already have laboratory proof-of-concept.

Grant recipients are expected to be able to increase the technology and commercial readiness of their innovation to reach proof-of-scale. This includes developing and testing prototypes or pilots for new products, processes or software in an industry-relevant environment.

The eight focus areas are:

  • critical and strategic minerals processing
  • sustainable fuels
  • agriculture and food technology
  • quantum
  • artificial intelligence (AI)
  • advanced manufacturing
  • space
  • renewable energy.

The closing date for Expressions of Interest is 5:00pm AEST Friday 29 August 2025.

DEADLINE: AEA Ignite Grants

AEA Ignite provides funding for projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to 5, and from $50,000 to $500,000 for up to 12 months per project.

Ignite grants support early-stage research commercialisation through competitive grants of up to $500,000 for a maximum period of 12 months. These grants are available for researchers at Australian universities to complete basic research, laboratory testing and establish proof-of-concept in an industry-relevant environment.

The eight focus areas are:

  • critical and strategic minerals processing
  • sustainable fuels
  • agriculture and food technology
  • quantum
  • artificial intelligence (AI)
  • advanced manufacturing
  • space
  • renewable energy.

Applications for AEA Ignite Round 2 will close at 5:00pm AEST Wednesday 3 September 2025.

Convergence Esperance 2025

Converge Esperance 2025 is a two-day business and industry forum, hosted by the ECCI and the GEDC. The event profiles the region’s major industry sectors, small business and future economic opportunities and includes a conference, industry tours, workshops, sundowners and networking opportunities.

The event is open to everyone – local, intra and inter-state – interested in business and the economy in Esperance and the south-east region.

Key topics for Converge Esperance 2025
  • Economic outlook and global market updates
  • Retail and hospitality trends
  • Business challenges and trends
  • Value adding to agribusiness and tourism
  • Planning for business success and growth
  • Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Local sector updates – agriculture, retail, tourism and industry

DEADLINE: evokeAG Groundbreakers Program

The Groundbreakers Program is a platform for bold ideas and emerging talent shaping the future of agrifood technology.

The Groundbreakers Program 2026 empowers five emerging leaders (aged 18-30 from Australia and New Zealand) who are committed to delivering impact for Australia’s agrifood system, ensuring food security, nutrition and sustaining environmental and economic resilience.

With mentoring, professional storytelling support, and a $3,000 bursary, the Groundbreakers are equipped to amplify their impact beyond the event. This program is designed to spotlight the future leaders, foster lasting industry connections and accelerate meaningful change across the agrifood technology ecosystem.

Applicants must be available to travel to Melbourne around 17-18, February 2026 to participate in evokeAG.

Learn more and apply here by 4 August 2025

CORE Connect – Perth X AARP Bots & Bevs – July

Join CORE Innovation Hub as they head to the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct to explore some of the big ideas in the robotics, net-zero technology and the energy and mining sector.

CORE is excited to be co-hosting the AARP’s Bots and Bevs Networking Evening bring you a robotics tech showcase featuring current AARP users and CORE Hot 30 Awards Winners!