AgriFutures Agritech Event Sponsorship Program

About AgriFutures Agritech Event Sponsorship Program

The AgriFutures Agritech Event Sponsorship Program is an initiative designed to support and enhance the Australian agrifood and innovation sector. With a focus on promoting Australian agritech and agricultural innovation, this program seeks to foster commercialisation opportunities, attract investment, and elevate the profile of Australian agritech enterprises. By connecting agritech developers, end users, investors, and research and development organisations, the program will help to build a world-class agritech ecosystem that drives adoption and propels the industry forward. The program will do this by:

  • Providing opportunities to promote Australian agritech and agricultural innovation, and connect agritech developers with their end users and investors.
  • Foster the creation of commercialisation opportunities to help drive adoption of Australian agritech.
  • Support extension of Australian agritech to attract domestic and international investment and interest.
  • Raise the profile of Australian agritech enterprises.

Supported by the Australian Government’s Support Regional Trade Events measure and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the AgriFutures Agritech Event Sponsorship Program serves as a catalyst for regional agricultural events that showcase horticulture, agricultural innovation, and trade opportunities. This is a three-year grant program:

  • Round one: $300,000 to administer for events running between 30 September – 31 March 2024. Applications will open on Monday, 17 August 2023.
  • Round two: $600,000 to administer for events running between 1 April 2024 and 31 October 2024. Applications will open in February 2024.
  • Round three: $600,000 to administer for events running between 1 November 2024 and 30 June 2025. Applications will open in August 2024.

AgriFutures Australia is the administrator of this grant process, grant payments and reporting only. Successful recipients will be connected with the Australian Government in order to deliver on the terms and conditions such as speaking opportunities etc.

Applicants can nominate to receive funding of $50,000 or $25,000 each to host events between 30 September 2023 and 31 March 2024.

By participating in the AgriFutures Agritech Event Sponsorship Program, event organisers, agritech developers, and research and development organisations can showcase their innovations, connect with stakeholders, and accelerate the adoption of Australian agritech solutions.

The successful recipients of this grant round have been selected for events being held in the 2023–24 financial year. The events include:

  • Digital Agrifood Summit in Wagga Wagga, NSW on 11-12 October 2023
  • SparkLabs Cultiv8 2023 Clean Technology Showcase in Orange, NSW 1 November 2023
  • Australian National Field Days in Orange, NSW on 1 November 2023
  • Gatton AgTech Showcase in Gatton, QLD on 1 November 2023
  • FoodTech Tasmania Industry Demo, Investor Sneak Peak, Demo Day Showcase from 31 October 2023 – 16 November 2023
  • Dairy Robots Demystified in the Victorian Gippsland from November 2023 – March 2024
  • AGtivate Regional Innovation series in Tamworth on 23 November 2023 and in Perth, WA on 18-23 February 2024.

Who can apply?

  • Event organisers in regional* Australia that are hosting agricultural events with an agritech and/or agricultural innovation focus.
  • Agritech developers who are wanting to host functions to showcase their innovations and technology to end users and/or investors.
  • Research and development organisations who are wanting to host functions to showcase their innovations and technology to end users and/or investors.
  • Events** must consider indigenous involvement and must report on how this was achieved.

Events who have already received funding from the Supporting Regional Trade Events measure are not eligible to receive this grant, however sideline events run separately to the overarching event may be considered.

*Regional Australia: Refers to everything beyond the major capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra – from remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to inland and coastal towns and bustling regional hubs. However, agritech developers and research and development organisations may be eligible to run events in a metro area if they can demonstrate the event represents value for money in delivering against the priorities of the program.

***An event and/or function refers to a planned gathering or occasion that focuses on agritech and/or agricultural innovation. It involves activities such as conferences, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, trade shows, field demonstrations, or similar initiatives that aim to promote and showcase advancements, research, technologies, or practices in the agritech industry. The event should provide opportunities for agritech developers, end users, investors, researchers, and other stakeholders to connect, collaborate, and exchange knowledge, fostering the growth and commercialisation of Australian agritech solutions. Events and/or functions need to have a minimum of 50 participants to qualify.

Events requirements

Events must adhere to:

  • Must deliver sponsored events between 30 September 2023 – 31 March 2024.
  • Must provide opportunities for the Australian Government’s involvement as outlined in the terms and conditions of the sponsorship program.
  • Must commit to submitting a milestone report to AgriFutures Australia no later than 30 days post-event. The report should detail the outcomes, impact, and any commercialisation opportunities that have arisen from the event as well as how the grant funds were spent.
  • Must agree to all terms and conditions outlined in the separate terms and conditions document.

Selection criteria

  1. Relevance to Australian agrifood innovation: The event must have a clear focus on agritech and/or agricultural innovation and contribute to the advancement of the Australian agritech industry.
  2. Potential for commercialisation: The event should demonstrate the potential to drive adoption and commercialisation of Australian agritech. It should provide opportunities for agritech developers, end users, and investors to connect, fostering the creation of business and investment opportunities.
  3. Regional impact: Events should be hosted in regional areas of Australia, contributing to the economic benefits of regional communities.
  4. Indigenous involvement: Events must consider indigenous involvement and report on how they have achieved engagement with indigenous communities and/or elements at their events.
  5. Organisational capacity: The event organiser should demonstrate the ability to successfully plan and execute the event within the specified timeline. This includes the necessary resources, expertise, and experience to ensure a high-quality event.

Contact

For any questions, please contact:

Dallas Pearce
Manager, evokeAG.
dallas.pearce@agrifutures.com.au