200 Agri-Food Tech experts descend on Orange NSW – described as ‘the Silicon Valley of agtech’ – as SparkLabs Cultiv8, Australia’s most active Agri-Food Tech accelerator, celebrates the completion of its first Clean Tech program.

SparkLabs Cultiv8 Co-founder and Partner Malcolm Nutt said the program had underscored the importance of Clean Tech in the global race to transition to a more sustainable food production system. 

“We knew this was a promising sector within agtech, but the past six months have really confirmed that for us and made us even more excited to continue the program next year,” he said. “Food production is essential to human health and wellbeing, and making those systems more environmentally sustainable and productive is being made possible with the exciting technologies we see coming through.”

Program participant Ron Tremain, CEO, CleanEyre Global, said the accelerator had delivered excellent opportunities to grow the business and power its future trajectory. CleanEyre Global is commercialising the production of Asparagopsis, the natural Australian seaweed product that reduces the methane output of cattle by over 90%.

"The SparkLabs Cultiv8 program is an exceptional partnership model that links Agri-Food Tech start-ups with experts and peers, offering unmatched prospects for participants to excel in food and agricultural technology and services,” he said “My journey with SparkLabs Cultiv8 has been extraordinary, with access to an incredible network and support system. This global initiative focuses on enhancing environmental sustainability in the agriculture and food value chain while expediting the adoption of technology solutions".

The 2023 and 2024 Clean Tech program is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with SparkLabs Cultiv8 under the Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020-2030. It also has industry support from Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC); Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA); Cotton Research and Development Corporation (GRDC); Agriculture Innovation Australia (AIA); Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), Hort Innovation and Science and Technology Australia (STA). 

Co-founder and Partner Jonathon Quigley said Australia’s role in addressing emissions in agriculture and food production is imperative to ensure continued market access both domestically and internationally.  

“It’s fantastic to see significant interest in the sector, with an increasing number of entrepreneurs entering the Agri-Food Tech ecosystem,” he said. “This year we have supported seven NSW-based start-ups, as well as companies from other countries who are very keen to come and set up shop here. There is massive potential in Agri-Food Tech generally, and Clean Tech as a sub-sector – it’s really only just getting started.”