by Lynda Kiernan

T-Hub, an Indian global startup catalyst, and Beanstalk AgTech, a Australian venture builder targeting the scaling of high-growth potential agtech startups across the Asia-Pacific region, have announced the opening of applications to the Graft Australia-India AgTech Market Access Program. 

Originally announced in September 2018,  the two-and-a-half month-long program will convene at Beanstalk Labs in Melbourne, and in India, and will select 12 ‘best in class’ agtech startups in both countries working to solve critical agricultural challenges facing both countries. The focus for the program’s first class will be on innovations that have the potential to create greater climate resilience for the grain industry in both countries. 

As the first bilateral program of its kind between the two countries, the program will provide a tailored and structured channel for international growth for agtech startups, and is supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australia India Council, Grains Research and Development Corporation, Birchip Cropping Group, FarmLink, and the Telangana and Australian governments.

“Beanstalk AgTech seeks to scale high-growth AgTech companies, and its partnership with T-Hub will provide the organization with access to AgTech startups across the world,” said Ravi Narayan, CEO, T-Hub.

The field of 12 selected participants will initially receive information and strategies to help them in approaching the agricultural industries in both India and Australia prior to a period of 10 days of field experience in both countries.

For Australian startups, T-Hub will provide a bridge to mentors and corporate leaders including Omnivore, Villagro, and Social Alpha that can offer access to the Indian market and help drive growth, while Beanstalk will offer Indian startups connections providing access to the Australian market.

Over the course of the following two months, each startup will benefit from:

~ Support from a dedicated mentor and entrepreneur for the duration of the program

~ Access to corporate and government partners, and industry leaders

~ Participation in demo days, media, and networking events

~ The opportunity to work on pilot programs in partnership with corporate and government partners

~ Support in business model validation, product localization, and the understanding of local business culture; and

~ A platform from which to showcase their products.

“This industry-backed Program recognizes the need to tap into innovation talent across the Indian and Australian AgTech sector and the broader startup ecosystem,” said Will Taking, co-founder and director, Beanstalk AgTech. 

– Lynda Kiernan is Editor with GAI Media and daily contributor to GAI News. If you would like to submit a contribution for consideration, please contact Ms. Kiernan at lkiernan@globalaginvesting.com.