SparkLabs Cultiv8, Australia’s most active Agri-Food Tech accelerator, has opened applications for its sixth agri-food tech accelerator.

Having successfully run the first cleantech program this year, SparkLabs Cultiv8 will focus again on cleantech agri-food companies in 2024. The program will consist of 10 companies ranging from early-stage founders to growth / commercialisation companies. Co-founder and Partner Malcolm Nutt said the momentum for the sector was increasing rapidly, not just in Australia, but globally.

“There are strong tailwinds behind cleantech in agrifood,” he said. “Regulation around carbon; increasing corporate participation, and increasing urgency around climate change, are driving this sector and those factors are only going to intensify.”

2023 accelerator participant Sam Sneddon, CEO of Wollemi.io said the program had been exceptionally helpful. “The program has certainly been a key part of our ability to scale quickly,” she said. “The network that SparkLabs Cultiv8 wraps around the cohort is exceptional - the program is a standout.”

Packamama founder and CEO, Santiago Navarro, said the program had turbocharged Packamama’s Australian launch, which has seen their flat, eco-friendly recycled wine bottles taken up by iconic Australian brands including Accolade Wines©, Banrock Station and Taylors, and sold in over 600 stores including Liquorland and First Choice. 

“You get access to an unbeatable ecosystem for Australia, and you’ll be part of a wider ecosystem internationally – the SparkLabs brand is globally respected from the Valley into Asia and Australia,” he said. “You should definitely apply.”

The GATE, located at the NSW DPI Orange Agricultural Institute, is home for the accelerator program’s Week Zero kickoff and Showcase finale. Companies access a global network of mentors and experts as well as local customers, from farmers to supply chain participants to consumer outlets. Co-founder and Partner Jonathon Quigley said the program’s access to such a broad range of expertise had been foundational to its success.

“The companies we’ve supported have been exceptionally successful compared to both general startup and venture capital statistics,” he said. “We’re very excited to continue the journey in 2024.”

Companies from anywhere in the world can apply to join the program at https://www.sparklabscultiv8.com/apply.