India-Australia RISE Accelerator Invites Agritech Start-ups for Climate-Smart Innovations
The Atal Innovation Mission, in partnership with CSIRO Australia, is inviting start-ups and MSMEs from India and Australia to apply for the Climate Smart Agritech cohort of the India Australia Rapid Innovation and Start-up Expansion (RISE) Accelerator. This initiative supports businesses aiming for international expansion between the two nations, addressing shared challenges in the agriculture sector.
Launching in October 2024, the Climate Smart Agritech cohort will focus on start-ups and MSMEs with technologies that boost agricultural productivity and resilience in response to climate variability, resource scarcity, and food insecurity. The program is particularly keen on solutions that prioritise farmer needs and on-farm practices.
The RISE Accelerator, initiated in 2023, has played a crucial role in helping start-ups and MSMEs validate and pilot their technologies for new markets. The introduction of the Climate Smart Agritech cohort shifts the focus to agritech solutions that tackle environmental challenges in agriculture.
Tamara Ogilvie, Program Director at CSIRO, highlighted that while India and Australia share agricultural challenges, their farming operations are uniquely diverse. This cohort aims to help participants achieve product-market fit in varied markets and rapidly scale their solutions globally.
Over the nine-month program, selected start-ups and MSMEs will benefit from a mix of online learning and in-person sessions, including immersion weeks in India and Australia. These sessions will provide market insights, coaching, and mentorship from industry experts. The program is designed to connect participants with potential partners and customers, enhancing their success in new markets. Field trials and technology pilots will be conducted in the latter half of the program.
Program Lead Pramit Dash emphasised that the RISE Accelerator not only addresses current agricultural challenges but also ensures that farmers can adopt resilient practices tailored to their needs.
The latest round of the program seeks innovative solutions to boost productivity, reduce emissions, and optimise natural resource use. Applications close on 15 September 2024.
There is no fee for participation, and selected start-ups and SMEs may be eligible for up to INR 45 lakhs in non-equity grants. The RISE Accelerator, a bilateral initiative by CSIRO and the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, supports the expansion of agritech innovations to address environmental and climate challenges shared by India and Australia.