SparkLabs accelerator program support

Summary

SparkLabs Cultiv8 is a unique world class accelerator and research facility founded by the SparkLabs Group, Asia's leading Tech Accelerator group, in partnership with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), together with a number of leading farms and large corporate partners.
It was a great first year for Cultiv8 with 8 really strong companies in the cohort. SparkLabs Cultiv8 moved from an idea in 2016 to a fully functioning innovation group in 2018.  

Four of our companies are generating tangible value for the livestock industries. These cover supply chain efficiency (ripe.io), international trade (James Tyler) water treatment (Hydroleap), IOT (Farmbot), automation (Biocarbon Engineering) and succession planning (Secure Impact). As an example James Tyler have completely re-engineered a pan-pacific cold chain and can deliver fresh produce to over 90% of the Chinese population from the farmgate in under 72 hours. Demand is insatiable and this business is driving change through use of a new generation of ecommerce, strategically using social media influencers, as a very low-cost way to drive demand and messaging apps as the store front.

We have had success in leveraging opportunities globally through our broader network. We are now hoping to focus more locally to uncover opportunities which may not be immediately accessible. We know Australian farmers are some of the most innovative in the world. We also know that Australian conditions force farmers to push the envelope. Whilst true, this natural breeding ground for ideas doesn't necessarily translate into wide reaching commercial outcomes. In 2019, we are proposing to establish a roadshow across Australian into rural communities where we can uncover some of these exciting innovations, identify what are some of the biggest challenges facing farmers and communities and through our networks breath commercial life into these projects. It is also our intention just to listen to the farmer to understand their needs and expectations.

We feel strongly about uncovering unique opportunities solving real problems which includes a vision to include up to three four new regional innovations in our 2020 cohort (with up to $400,000 in investment by SparkLabs Cultiv8).

The fact that our brand has grown rapidly both at home and abroad means 2019 is shaping up to be even better. There has been great interest in the 2019 cohort, we have already met with 100+ businesses, reviewed many more and identified some excellent candidates.