Regional innovation hub launched in Mildura for agricultural startups
The regional agtech hub is a first for SproutX.
Australia's national agtech innovation hub SproutX is launching a regional agtech centre in Mildura. The co-working space, called the SproutX Mildura Hub, will be based at the town's new innovation space The Mill and is being opened by The Honourable Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford MLC at a ceremony this morning.
Startups in the agricultural space will have access to free co-working space as well as access to the national SproutX network.
“We have supported SproutX since day one and are thrilled to see the team expand their footprint into regional Victoria," said Pulford. "Mildura is a rich agricultural area and farmers here will increasingly rely on technology to manage their businesses sustainably into the future.”
SproutX has been a driving force behind supporting Australia's agtech startups. It launched the first agtech-focused accelerator program in Asia Pacific, with startups in the program able to benefit from a $10 million venture capital fund.
One of the organisations behind it, Findex, is no stranger to assisting startups in regional Australia. In July 2017, Crowe Horwath, part of Findex, launched FoundX as a regional meetup and business mentorship program.
It is also launching an agtech-fintech program with Stone & Chalk at its Melbourne innovation hub.
The Mildura Regional Development CEO Daryl Buckingham says the launch of the regional agtech hub is "very significant" for Mildura.
“To say we were excited by SproutX’s offer to partner with Mildura Regional Development and open their first regional office here in Mildura would be a total understatement," he said.
"We are the biggest primary producer of so much of Australia’s food and beverages for both the domestic and export market, so we need to lead the way in innovation and technology.”
The SproutX Mildura Hub is located at The Mill (129 Langtree Avenue Mildura). Interested startups are invited to visit the space to learn more.
Latest business headlines
Picture: Shutterstock
