Forum offers opportunities for ag-tech

WA agrifood ag-tech companies and start-ups looking to expand and raise capital are encouraged to apply for a grant to attend the evokeAG conference — the biggest ag-tech event in the Asia Pacific.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has six support packages worth $1500 each to assist recipients to attend the conference, hosted by AgriFutures Australia, in Melbourne from February 18-19.

Department agribusiness food and trade investment manager Susan Hall said evokeAG provided a unique forum for WA investor-ready companies to gather ideas and connect with investors while networking with a range of ag-tech stakeholders from around the world.

“The conference will include more than 70 expert speakers who will challenge conventions of what we grow, how we grow it and what we eat,” she said.

“In its inaugural year in 2019, evokeAG attracted more than 1000 delegates from 30 countries.”

“Last year DPIRD supported six businesses to attend the event, which are now progressing through commercialisation and capital raising.”

A feature of the two-day conference is Start-up Alley, where Australian and international start-ups present their technologies and solutions to global agricultural problems.

“We are very pleased to see four WA ag-tech businesses participating in Start-up Alley, where they will have an opportunity to showcase their start-ups in exhibition style to all conference delegates,” Ms Hall said.

To submit an expression of interest for a support package, visit agric.wa.gov.au/evokeAG.

Applications close at 5pm on Friday, January 10.