2024 Catalyst Cohort revealed

Seven women with exceptional research or technology innovations have been announced as participants in AgriFutures and AgriFutures growᴬᴳ⋅ inaugural Catalyst program for 2024.

Earlier this year, the Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review final recommendations report underscored the challenges women encounter in STEM fields, from educational opportunities to workplace flexibility and accessibility. Despite a 68% increase in participation since 2012, women only constitute 15% of the STEM workforce.

The Catalyst program empowers female leaders in agriculture and technology by enhancing their networks and capabilities within the agrifood and innovation ecosystem while providing a platform to advance their research or innovation to the next developmental stage.

Open to female researchers through to series A Founders and Co-Founders, with research or technology innovations in agritech, climate tech, supply chain and logistics, or related sectors primed for commercialisation; the program offers invaluable connections, training, and potential funding or partnership opportunities.

The 2024 Catalyst Program participants (In alphabetical order) are:

• Dr. Aarti Tobin, Science Lead, Just Meat Co
• Fiona Turner, CEO and Co-Founder, Bitwise Agronomy
• Dr. Kerstin Petroll, Chief Technology Officer, HydGene Renewables
• Dr. Nasim Amiralian, Group Research Leader, University of Queensland
• Nikki Davey, CEO and Co-Founder, Grown not Flown
• Sam Sneddon, CEO, WollemiAI
• Dr. Tanushree B Gupta, Senior Scientist, AgResearch Ltd.

These participants will pitch to potential investors and strategic partners at a special invite-only event in June, where the commercial opportunity will be announced.

In the lead-up to the event, the participants will also receive one-on-one coaching to help craft their pitch and personalised networking support through growᴬᴳ as they promote their commercialisation opportunity to investors and potential partners.

For more information about each finalist, visit: agrifutures.com.au/catalyst/