Since its
doors opened in February this year, Combine Agtech Hub has been on the lookout
for early-stage agtech startups to find their new home in the Perth CBD. Supported
by DPIRD (WA Department of Primary Industries
and Regional Development),
Combine’s scholarships aim to help startups in the agtech industry to find new
ways of addressing industry-specific challenges, such as climate change and integration
of IoT (Internet of Things).
Five startups
have just joined the Combine AgTech Hub, all with a unique mission to make
change in what is fast becoming an essential industry.
iGrower
Smart sensors
have become cheaper and smarter than ever before. Smart sensor startup iGrower
aims to bring various data points to the farm in an easy-to-use format. The company’s
devices can view data and control pumps and valves using a smartphone or
computer.
Communicating
with each other via long-range wireless communication, the devices can share
data, and with the app growers can check the status of each pump, as well as
the temperature and humidity sensors.
An ex-General Manager and current board member of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), iGrower founder Darren Hughes also runs his AgTech consultancy firm AGRIGROW.
Go4Organics
Providing
organic and botanical products to improve the fertility of soil, WA-based Go4Organics
aims to provide balanced nutrition to plants. The company’s aim is to support the
local community and farmers with products which are toxic-free
and are a natural
pest and disease control.
The
fertilisers on offer contain nutrients from non-edible oilseeds, aquatic weeds
and peat soils, and when used in the right phase of growth, will result in
residue-free yield – as well as having a clean, chemical-free environment.
Environmental & Cropping Technologies Australia
Bridging the gap between growers, advisors and
tech providers, Environmental & Cropping Technologies
Australia offers precision agriculture (PA), geographic information
system (GIS) and environmental management services.
Using its data processing and mapping tools,
this startup helps improve farming operations and increases efficiencies by
building customisable packages to suit goals and needs. The group also offers cost-effective
environmental management and geographic information services throughout Western
Australia. All data is processed in-house by personnel who understand each
enterprise’s operations.
Co-Director of Environmental & Cropping Technologies Australia Philip Honey has had experience in AgTech, with qualifications in Agribusiness, Agricultural Sciences & Environmental Sciences. Philip previously worked for AgriTrack before he and Co-Director Simone Honey set out to provide cost-effective services for farmers.
Hectare
Visualisation
makes all the difference when handling large amounts of data. Hectare builds
simple to use tools for precision agriculture, visualising data on maps and
satellite imagery, as well as real-time weather information and rain radar data
from nearby DPIRD stations. Hectare also
offers access to current and historical 10m Sentinel imagery, colour, NDVI and moisture
Australia-wide.
Founder Michael Ford has been heavily involved in the AgTech sector, in the last two years setting out to create a precision agricultural tool that would help farmers with yield modelling and monitoring the weather using digital maps.
Wide Open Agriculture
Vertically integrated, food and agriculture company Wide Open Agriculture aims to regenerate ecosystems and revitalise communities in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt – producing premium vegetables with climate-smart, shade house technology. With its 'Food for Reasons' food brand, the business can market fresh and processed healthy food products. The team also purchases land and partners with regenerative farmers to help restore the ecosystem and ensure long-term productivity.
Wide Open Agriculture went public in July 2018, raising its $5 million initial public offering. Chairman Anthony Maslin’s reason behind creating the startup was to revitalise WA’s wheat belt. Anthony Maslin, WOA managing director Ben Cole and non-executive director Stuart McAlpine aim to bring opportunities for regenerative farming that bring environmentally positive impacts and the community.
Are you an early-stage agtech startup
wanting to grow your business idea with a unique scholarship? There are still
places available at Combine
Agtech Hub. Get in touch.
