November 12th, 2024State calls on smart startups to solve farm safety challenges

The Victorian Government is calling on startups to help solve farm safety and productivity challenges as part of a new program that aims to harness innovation and the technological knowledge of Victoria’s startup sector.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the CivVic Labs Farm Safety challenge – a bootcamp experience connecting aspiring and early stage startup founders with government to solve public sector challenges.

This challenge is part of Victoria’s AgTech Regional Innovation Network (AgRIN) and will run over six weeks.

Participating startups will learn new startup skills, grow their connections and develop their business idea with government, supported by $15,000 equity-free funding. At the end of the experience, they’ll pitch for a chance at a further $35,000 to bring their startup ideas to life.

Farms make up 14% of workplace fatalities in Victoria, despite employing only 2% of working Victorians. On average, 2 people are hospitalised by an incident on a Victorian farm every day.

Since 2018, CivVic Labs has been a launch pad for more than 50 local startups, as it provides a unique opportunity for founders to build their idea with a potential customer in the room. Alumni startups have raised nearly $20 million in investment capital since the program’s inception.

For more information about the CivVic Labs Farm Safety challenge and how to apply, visit launchvic.org.

Words: Agriculture Victoria