Hort Frontiers: Build Program Expression of Interest
Opportunity for
- Growers, startups, innovators, students, researchers and Horticulture value chain for a six-week 'Build' program that offers hands-on support via workshops and mentoring to refine, test and create market viable opportunities. Participants will also learn about global best practice in their areas of innovation.
Opportunity description
Industry challenge
Australian growers are some of the country’s most innovative entrepreneurs. They’re on the frontline of horticulture and know better than anyone the problems that need solving. The Australian-Grown Innovation (AGI) program equips growers with the mentoring and tools needed to take their farm changing ideas from vision to reality.
AGI supports three stages of mentorship to unlock transformative opportunities and deliver practical solutions to real industry challenges such as: intergenerational farm transfer solutions, climate resilience strategies, value-added product innovation, technology-driven solutions harnessing AI, and supply chain improvements.
All solutions created will deliver on solving these challenges through a requirement to meet one of the five overarching Frontiers themes: healthy living, adaptation and resilience, market access, disruptive technologies and capability building.
Current opportunity
Put yourself on the path to a market-ready business in 2026 by turning your innovation into a working prototype.
Apply now to be part of the 2026 Build cohort of Australian-Grown Innovation.
This 12-week program will help you move from a plan to a physical or digital product tested in the real world.
In the program, you will:
- Develop a functional prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
- Design and execute a market pilot to gather real grower data
- Map the technical inputs and partnerships needed to scale
Prepare your innovation for commercial launch
Everyone from the horticulture industry and the industries that support it is welcome and encouraged to apply.
Applications close Friday 14 August 2026
The program runs from Monday 31 August to Saturday 21 November 2026.
Learn more here
The program is funded and delivered by Hort Innovation, Startupbootcamp and industry partners, making it free of charge.
Opportunity background
Frontiers is a landmark initiative created in collaboration with growers and industry leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges in horticulture. It focuses on unlocking transformative opportunities and delivering practical solutions that make a real difference on the ground.
A key feature of this initiative is the Australian-Grown Innovation program.
The Australian-Grown Innovation program is designed to drive innovation that will tackle the most pressing challenges in horticulture. The Australian-Grown Innovation program will mentor Australian growers and those across the horticulture supply chain to turn great ideas into commercially viable products and services that make a real difference on the ground.