evokeAG. 2020 Startup Program applications now open

AgriFutures Australia Managing Director, John Harvey, said the 2020 event will see a focus on providing opportunities for startups to build their customer base, whilst also ensuring they have exposure to possible investors.

“The new Startup Program for evokeAG. 2020 will showcase startups (domestic and international) within the agrifood tech ecosystem. This showcase will complement the wider event program and has a renewed focus on exposing startups to an international audience. This is an opportunity to network, build relationships and take your business to the next level.

“This year we had 1,100 delegates at our event representing a cross-section of industries. Corporates, investors, government and other key stakeholders from all over the world – it’s a melting pot for budding businesses,” said Mr Harvey.

There are four unique opportunities for both local and international startups to get involved at evokeAG. 2020:

1. The Startup Showcase – Local Ecosystem: this stream will provide a platform for local (Australia, New Zealand and/or the Pacific Islands) startups to showcase their ideas in front of an international audience.
2. The Startup Showcase – International Scale-ups: this stream will provide a platform for international startups who are interested in solving global problems facing the Australian agricultural sector and/or expanding their business into Australia.
3. Startup Alley: up to 40 agrifood tech startups will have a space to exhibit their products in a high-traffic area at evokeAG. 2020.
4. Investor Pitch: This pitch is a standalone event on the eve of evokeAG. 2020 aiming to facilitate curated conversations and connections between international and local investors, and Australian and New Zealand companies. Startups will pitch directly to an invitation-only investor audience over dinner.

evokeAG. 2019 Startup Alley participant and Founder of Agrinet, Dan Winson, said it’s an opportunity for startups to make tangible leads.

“From a startup perspective, evokeAG. was the best conference I have ever been to. After the two days, I had 50 leads and I had lost my voice from talking to so many of the delegates! The event has accelerated my startups’ progress,” said Mr Winson.

George Peppou, evokeAG. Startup Program Steering Committee member and Founder and CEO of VOW said successful applicants will have innovative and scalable business models.

“We will be looking for products that solve big problems in the agrifood sector to produce food or fibre far better than current best practices or anything else on the market. Big ambitions and focusing on global problems is also a huge draw card for the selection panel,” said Mr Peppou.

CEO of CertusBio, Dr Matthew Jones, pitched his wastewater reduction product to more than 1,000 delegates at this year’s evokeAG. event. He said the level of exposure the event gave his startup was a stand-out.

“The publicity we received after the event was amazing and it gave our business credibility. It has also exposed us to new opportunities and ideas. We travelled to the US this year to look into their dairy market, and we had introductions to three of the large dairy companies in Australia.”

Co-Founder of escaVOX, Darryl Lyons said the event is an opportunity to meet investors such as Yamaha and AgFunder face-to-face.

“That makes a world of difference. The event was a pivotal moment for us and left us feeling invigorated. It’s by far, the stand-out agtech event for the year.”

Applications open on Monday, 26 August 2019 and close Friday, 13 September 2019.

For more information visit: https://evokeag.com/2020-startup-program/

evokeAG. 2020 will take place in Melbourne at the iconic Royal Exhibition Building on 18-19 February 2020. Save your seat at the Asia Pacific’s largest agrifood tech event. Tickets are available online, with Student and Primary Producer discounted tickets also available.

Contribute to our food, farm and future conversations by using our #evokeAG hashtag and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.