A Federal Government grant of $320,000 through the Incubator Support initiative to the University of New England (UNE) for its project, SMART Region Incubator (SRI) AgTech Gateway: Global Focus for Australian AgTech start-ups was announced by the Member for New England Barnaby Joyce on Tuesday.
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The gateway project will bring together start-ups and agricultural producers with the goal of launching new AgTech solutions into the global marketplace.
“I congratulate Dr Conway from the UNE on the funding grant and helping to advance agricultural development in the New England North West, across Australia and beyond.
- Barnaby Joyce
UNE SMART Region Incubator director Dr Lou Conway said of the program’s 43 regional start-ups operating in Armidale and Tamworth, 19 local jobs have been created as a result.
“This funding will support AgTech start-ups to be investment-ready, providing expert advice [on] how to scale and grow their start-ups and really nurturing talent in regional areas,” Dr Conway said.
Mr Joyce thought agriculture lay at heart of nearly everything done in the New England North West.
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"So, it’s only fitting that a world-class, local tertiary institution like UNE takes the lead on making these start-ups a reality for Australian entrepreneurs,” he said.
“The two-year funding project will help connect the AgTech start-ups with the global market, while drawing jobs and economic benefits back to Armidale and the New England North West region.”
Since its launch, the Incubator Support Programme has awarded almost $6.3 million to 15 new and existing incubators across Australia.
For more information, including how to apply for an Incubator Support initiative grant, click here.
