News & Insights

The latest Agri-Food Tech innovations & investments

SparkLabs Cultiv8 opens applications for
2024 Cleantech Accelerator

12th December 2023

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.

How SparkLabs Cultiv8 is shaping sustainable agtech in Australia

8 November 2023

In the fertile grounds of regional Australia, a budding movement is trying to redefine the landscape of agriculture through technological innovation and sustainable practices. SparkLabs Cultiv8 is at the helm of this transformation, demonstrating how strategic investment in agtech is not just cultivating crops, but also change.

Orange program determined to achieve a cleaner and more productive future

3 November 2023

In the face of a changing environment, emissions reduction targets have been set. But while the destination is clear, the path to get there remains unknown.

SparkLabs Cultiv8 is backing sustainable innovation and accelerating a group of startups in Orange's own 'Agtech Silicon Valley'.

SparkLabs Cultiv8 2023 Clean Tech Showcase & Future Food Dinner

1 November 2023

The Showcase & Future Food Dinner is the premier event our six-month program. An afternoon dedicated to innovation, attendees explored the evolution of SparkLabs Cultiv8, the cutting-edge technologies from our 2023 cohort and savoured a dinner featuring ingredients from early technology adopters.

‘Agtech Silicon Valley’ shows off new Clean Tech graduates

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.

How SparkLabs Cultiv8 in Orange is helping battle climate change

3 June 2023

The latest batch of companies looking to positively address climate change have hit Orange, with a five-year project notching a major milestone.

Created in 2017, the goal for SparkLabs Cultiv8 has been to address climate change through innovation.

A new era of AgTech is being ushered in as Australia faces climate pressure

30 May 2023

Ten new start-up companies from across Australia made their way to Orange, NSW, each building technology that will help address climate change in the industry.

The companies are being backed by SparkLabs Cultiv8, a local program that wants to make Australia a leader in sustainable innovation.

SparkLabs Cultiv8 launches CleanTech Accelerator

29 May 2023

The new accelerator will bring the number of companies supported by SparkLabs Cultiv8 to 50. More than $AUD half a billion has been raised by the companies, which boast a combined value of more than $1.6 billion and have created over 750 new jobs.

The accelerator is powered by Cultiv8 Funds Management, an Agri-Food Venture Capital Fund.

SparkLabs is hunting for 10 startups to back in its CleanTech accelerator

4 April 2023

Applications for SparkLabs Cultiv8’s cleantech accelerator are open for another fortnight, with space for 10 startups ready to transform the future of agri-food tech.

The global Sparklabs Group invests in early-stage companies and each startup will receive up to A$100,000 in seed funding.

Sparking & cultivating ag innovations

7 February 2022

In case you’re under the impression that Australia’s business and finance powerhouses are all located in either Sydney and Melbourne, think again.

SparkLabs Cultiv8 is a global agriculture and food technology accelerator headquartered in Orange, but it is part of a world-wide network of SparkLabs accelerators that stretches from Seoul and Singapore to Beijing and California.

SparkLabs Cultiv8 reveals 4th Cohort

21 April 2021

After recently being named the eighth most active agriculture and food technology accelerator globally from AgFunder, SparkLabs Cultiv8 has announced the ten businesses set to receive almost $1 million in funding on their path to revolutionising the global agriculture industry.

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The world’s leading food and agtech start-ups to gather for Sydney demoday

5 July 2019

SparkLabs Cultiv8 Demoday has become a must-see event which brings together the brightest entrepreneurs, most inspirational investors, corporate executives, media and government leaders all focused on changing the way we create, distribute and consume food with sustainability as a key driver.

SparkLabs Cultiv8 Draws International First Cohort Seeking Second Growing Season in Australia

14 February 2018

After receiving an international set of applicants, Asian accelerator group SparkLabs Group‘ Cultiv8 accelerator has chosen its first cohort of nine agtech startups.

The seven-month program fills a hole in the agtech funding ecosystem.

SparkLabs Group launches an agricultural tech accelerator called Cultiv8

15 September 2017

SparkLabs Group, which claims to be the largest startup accelerator group in Asia, is stepping into agricultural tech with a new program created in partnership with the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. Called SparkLabs Cultiv8 and based in Orange, Australia, the accelerator will start in the second quarter of 2018.

SparkLabs ploughs $10m into Orange agriculture technology accelerator

14 September 2017

Australia is set to get a second accelerator for agriculture technology companies with $10 million behind it, when a program funded by Asian venture capital giant SparkLabs and the NSW Department of Primary Industries starts in Orange next March.

SparkLabs Cultiv8 will be the second effort toward creating an agtech hub in Australia