Support AgTech in Victoria for startups
Through the $15 million AgTech Regional Innovation Network, we have invested in enhancing the pathways for AgTech start-ups and entrepreneurs . This helps them test and refine their ideas through bespoke pre-accelerator programs. There is also a dedicated AgTech grants program and an AgTech Angel Investor Network. This helps increase the funding options available for innovations across Victoria.
We welcome you to reach out and discuss how we may be able to assist your business or organisation and together grow a thriving and globally competitive AgTech industry in Victoria.
AgTech opportunities in Victoria
Innovation in agricultural technologies plays a pivotal role in Victoria’s agriculture future. Developing new AgTech solutions is a key driver in fostering the creation of future jobs, businesses and industries.
Victoria’s thriving agriculture industry is a major contributor to the state and national economy. This makes Victoria it a great place to build and scale AgTech start-ups.
- Valued at $91 billion, the Victorian Start-up Ecosystem is now the same size as Tel Aviv was in 2016.
- Our 2,950 start-ups, scaleups and unicorns have created 52,000 jobs and continue to have strong growth.
- Melbourne is ranked #33 in AgTech globally
- #2 Oceania Ecosystem in Knowledge
- Top 25 Global Ecosystem in Talent & Experience
- Top 40 Global Ecosystem in Performance
- LaunchVic’s research showed Victoria’s AgTech start-ups have scope to grow and achieve:
- employ 2,500 FTEs by 2025
- revenue of ~$350m by 2025.
Victoria – A leading hub for AgTech
- Home to 25% of all farm businesses in Australia with about 20,000 farms, including a network of digitally integrated SmartFarms
- World class universities and home to more than 14 agricultural innovation and research centres.
- Home to AgriBio, a $288 million world-class facility for agriculture bioscience research and development – a joint venture between the Victorian Government and La Trobe University.
- Regional SmartFarms aligned to major agricultural industries for co-developed and co-invested industry research and innovation using close-to and market ready technologies.
- Home to about 60% of Australia’s accelerators, including AgTech accelerators SproutX, Rocket Seeder and SVG Ventures.
- The Victorian Start-up Capital Fund to stimulate jobs and boost innovation.
- Dynamic global research and business partnerships models.
- Strong government commitment and support through the Agriculture Strategy.
- Home to a dynamic, educated workforce. More than half of all Victorians aged 20–64 hold some form of post-secondary qualification, while almost 30% aged 15–74 have a university degree. Melbourne is also a multicultural city with close links to Asian markets.
Current Programs
Agriculture Victoria is funding programs to connect and grow the AgTech ecosystem in Victoria
We are funding the following organisations to deliver the Victorian AgTech Entrepreneurs’ Initiative:
We are partnering with LaunchVic, to offer new grants to foster the next generation of AgTech innovation including:
- AgTech Grants Program for early-stage AgTech start-ups
- Hugh Victor McKay (Sidecar Fund)
- Victorian AgTech Angel Network to build a robust investor community and AgTech ecosystem (now closed)
Our Innovation Assets and Network
AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience and our SmartFarms form a research ecosystem that enables transformative science and technology developments. This helps fast-track innovation adoption in agriculture. SmartFarms attract AgTech businesses and the world’s best, showcasing the future of agriculture to industries and communities.
About our team
The Agriculture Technologies Team supports the development and growth of the AgTech Sector. We're located across Victoria. We also have deep networks and experience in AgTech, industry development, international trade and investment.