Announcing the AgriFutures Australia and grow^AG. Catalyst program, AgriFutures Australia’s Global Innovation Networks General Manager Harriet Mellish said the goal was to build the capability of female talent and support greater gender equity and diversity in agtech and innovation. 
 
“Selected through a competitive application process, six female innovators from across the agtech ecosystem will have the exciting opportunity to pitch their commercial opportunity to a room of hand-picked leading agtech investors and professionals,” Ms Mellish said. 
 
The Catalyst program is open to female researchers through to series A founders and co-founders within the research, innovation and/or technology in agtech, climate tech, supply chain and logistics or a similar sector related to agriculture.  

The six successful innovators will also be provided with 1:1 coaching to help formalise and craft their pitch for the event, to be held in Sydney on 13 June 2024. Applications are now open, and will close on Wednesday, 20 March 2024 at 5pm AEDT. 

“By participating in Catalyst, innovators will gain valuable connections, knowledge and funding or partnership opportunities. They also have the chance to showcase their innovations, engage with industry stakeholders, and contribute to the growth and development of Australian agriculture,” Ms Mellish said. 
 
“We know that in 2023, only $3.5 billion in startup funding in Australia went to all female founders, which is a shocking statistic. 
 
“As we heard from AgriWebb founder and panellist at evoke^AG. Justin Webb, 75% of agtech funding in Australia comes from white males and 80% of that funding goes to white males. For us to advance agtech, our funding landscape needs to match our buying landscape, which is 50% female.

“Our hope is that through the Catalyst program, we can help contribute to the number of female founders making gains in the agtech and innovation space, and help foster greater diversity.” 

MC’d by Tenacious Ventures founder and globally recognised food systems innovation expert, Sarah Nolet, attendees at the XFactor Breakfast also heard from CEO of Cicada Innovations and Chair of the Federal Government’s Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review, Sally-Ann Williams, and the WA Minister for Agriculture and Food, Forestry and Small Business, The Hon Jackie Jarvis.