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Major funding will enable a visionary agtech program in the Central Highlands to enter a new phase.

AgFrontier 2.0: Regional Agtech Catalyst follows on from the very successful AgFrontier: Regional Agtech Incubator, both initiatives of the Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC).

The Local Buying Foundation (LBF) will be the primary funding partner for the first year of AgFrontier 2.0, a three-year program which aims to create a world-leading ag and food tech community in Central Queensland.

CHDC CEO Arjan Bloemer says it’s an exciting and unique opportunity for agtech businesses in the Isaac and Central Highlands regions as well as the Woorabinda Aboriginal Council area.

“In 2019, CHDC founded Queensland’s first and only dedicated regional agtech incubator, which provided 10 entrepreneurs with intensive support to launch agricultural innovation global businesses,” Mr Bloemer says.

“AgFrontier 2.0 will build on this success through a series of initiatives and events that develop key skills and deliver mentoring and other opportunities to ag and related tech entrepreneurs in the region.”

Activities include the SwarmFarm Entrepreneurs-in-Residence Program; AgTeCH21 Emerald: Build It, Use It, Profit; and the new BeefTech Breakfast Showcase planned for November 2020 in conjunction with Queensland AgTech Month.

There will also be periodic intensive and virtual events and two domestic agtech start-up missions to connect participants with stakeholders and investors in metropolitan areas.

Other activities include an internship and work-placement program for secondary and tertiary students and a gap analysis of regional agricultural technology entrepreneurship and subsequent skills development plan.

“By focusing on three pillars – incubation, widespread engagement and ecosystem growth – AgFrontier 2.0 will foster innovation and grow productivity across all industry sectors,” CHDC Agtech Community Officer Sonya Comiskey says.

CHDC thanked LBF for its ongoing faith in and support of AgFrontier.

“LBF was an Innovation Partner for our ground-breaking regional agtech incubator and the investment in AgFrontier 2.0 is a critical catalyst for the evolution of this program,” Ms Comiskey says.

“The Foundation’s support is testament to both the merits of AgFrontier and LBF’s commitment to fostering business and industry innovation in the Bowen Basin.”

Anyone wanting to be involved in AgFrontier 2.0 can contact Ms Comiskey on scomiskey@chdc.com.au or telephone 0438 876 729.  Keep up with the latest by following @Agfrontier on Twitter.