Applications open for Startup Alley Program

Startup Alley is an opportunity for startups in the agriculture and food industry to showcase their innovations to delegates at the evokeAG. event. Startup Alley will take place at the evokeAG. event in Perth, Western Australia, Australia on Tuesday, 20 February 2024 and Wednesday, 21 February 2024 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (“Event”).

It’s a stage where technology and innovation converge to tackle the pressing global challenges within the food system.

Thanks to the valued partnership with Syngenta, this showcase will feature 40 innovative businesses (these include those selected to participate in Culinary Capital and the AgriFutures AgXelerate program). Together, they will unveil their transformative solutions to the diverse audience of evokeAG. delegates over the course of the two day event.

Startup Demo

evokeAG. 2024 Perth event will introduce an exciting addition to Startup Alley with the demo area. Ten selected companies will have the opportunity to showcase their technologies in real time, providing live demonstrations and immersive experiences for delegates across the two-day event. This interactive element will enhance engagement and allow startups to exhibit the practical applications of their innovations, further driving investment and partnership opportunities. The Startup Demo amphitheater will be located within the Exhibition Hub and will provide startups with a stage and screens, and will take place during the evokeAG. program breaks.

What will you receive?

• 1 x startup station at evokeAG. 2024: Each participating company will receive one dedicated station within the Startup Alley exhibition area. The branded station will provide power, desk space for product displays allowing startups to showcase their innovations effectively.
• 2 x evokeAG. 2024 tickets: Each company will be provided with two full-access tickets to the two-day evokeAG.  2024 event.
• 2 x evokeAG. Welcome Event tickets: The evokeAG. Welcome Event will be held at the Royal Perth Yacht Club on Monday, 19 February 2024. This event offers an exclusive opportunity to connect with fellow delegates and Startup Alley participants in a relaxed and social setting. The Welcome Event serves as a valuable networking platform.
• 2 x Founders Lunch invitations: Join the Startup Alley cohort at the evokeAG. Founders Lunch on Thursday, 22 February in Perth for an opportunity to wind down and connect with your fellow cohort over a casual long lunch.
• 3 x nights’ accommodation: To ensure a seamless experience for participating companies, the program will cover the cost of three nights of accommodation for two team members. The accommodation will be conveniently located near the event venue, providing startups with a comfortable and convenient stay during the evokeAG. 2024 event. Companies will need to pay their own airfares and transfers.
• Featured on growAG.: Each participating company will be featured on the AgriFutures growAG. platform – a premier online resource that showcases innovative agrifood tech and innovation. This comprehensive resource connects industry stakeholders, investors, and potential partners with their startups.
• evokeAG. Startup Alumni: By participating in Startup Alley, each company becomes a member of the evokeAG. Startup Alumni. This program offers post-event support initiatives, including access to sponsorship opportunities for agrifood tech events and mentorship opportunities. Being part of the alumni community provides ongoing support and networking opportunities for continued growth and development.

What are they looking for?

• Exceptional innovation and technology: Startups and scaleups must demonstrate exceptional technologies and solutions that have the potential to revolutionise the agrifood sector. Their innovations should address global challenges and contribute to positive change in the industry. The focus sectors include but are not limited to agritech, foodtech, spacetech, climatetech, and sustainability. Companies must be able to demonstrate how their technology has an Exceptional Edge over others in the market.
• Stage of development: Companies should be in the early to growth stages of development. This includes startups and scaleups that have a minimum viable product (MVP) or proof of concept and are actively seeking commercialisation or scaling opportunities. Preference may be given to companies with a clear roadmap for product development, market penetration, and growth.
• Market potential: Applicants must demonstrate a strong market potential for their innovations. This includes a clear understanding of the target market, customers, and competitive landscape. Startups should provide evidence of market demand and the potential for scalability and profitability.
• Demonstrable impact: Startups should showcase how their innovations contribute to positive change in the agrifood sector. This could be through improving sustainability, increasing efficiency, enhancing food safety, addressing food security, or driving environmental and social impact.
• Global reach: The program is open to both local and international startups. Companies from all geographical locations are encouraged to apply, as long as their innovations have the potential to make a meaningful impact on the global agrifood sector.

Eligibility Criteria

• Startup Alley is open to businesses that meet the following criteria (“Start-Up Alley Eligible Applicants”):
  • Is a registered business in Australia or another international jurisdiction with Event attendees that are:
    • 18 years of age or older on the date of the Event.
    • Permanent residents of Australia, New Zealand and/ or Pacific Islands.
  • Is a business in the early to growth stage of development that:
    • has a minimum viable product (MVP) or proof of concept, and
    • is actively seeking commercialisation or scaling opportunities.
  • Is committed and available: Selected startups must be committed to actively participating in the Startup Alley program. This includes attending the evokeAG. 2024 Event and actively engaging with attendees, investors, and potential customers. Startups should be available to showcase their technologies in real-time demonstrations and actively participate in networking sessions, matchmaking events, and curated meetings.

Selection Criteria

• Startup Alley Applications will be evaluated by reference to the following Selection Criteria:
  • Has a clear roadmap for product development, market penetration, and growth.
  • Demonstrates exceptional innovation and technology in agritech, foodtech, spacetech, climatetech, sustainability or a substantially similar sector, including by demonstrating:
    • how its technology has an exceptional edge over others in the market, and that its technologies and solutions that have the potential to revolutionise the sector, address global challenges and contribute to positive change in Australian agriculture.
  • Demonstrates strong market potential for its innovations, including by:
    • clearly explaining the target market, customers, and competitive landscape, and
    • providing evidence of market demand, and the potential for scalability and profitability.
  • Demonstrates a positive impact on the agrifood sector, for example by improving sustainability, increasing efficiency, enhancing food safety, addressing food security, or driving environmental and social impact.
  • Demonstrates the potential to have a meaningful impact on the Australian and global agrifood sectors: The program is open to both Australian and international startups and businesses from all geographical locations are encouraged to apply if their innovations have the potential to make a meaningful impact on the Australian and global agrifood sectors.
  • Demonstrates a vision for growth and sustainability beyond the Event: The program seeks companies that have the potential to continue to develop, attract further investment, and forge long-term partnerships. Participants should be open to post-event support initiatives, including the evokeAG. Alumni Program, sponsorship opportunities for agrifood tech events, and mentorship opportunities.

For more information, visit AgriFutures evokeAG.