The shire's entrepreneurs are being invited to put forward their ideas to improve local agriculture, as part of a new Innovation Challenge launched recently by Westpac and Blue Chilli.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Farmers from the Bellingen Shire are encouraged to consider what agriculture would look like if it was invented today.
The competition is open to anyone from any industry, they don't necessarily have to be working in agriculture or the agriculture supply chain – no idea is too big or too small.
Sebastien Eckersley-Maslin, founder and CEO of start-up incubator BlueChilli, notes the winner will receive a $40,000 cash prize, six months placement in the accelerator program at Blue Chilli, as well as one-on-one mentorship, advice and connections – all designed to help bring the idea to life.
“Anyone in the Bellingen Shire with an inkling of an idea is encouraged to enter. As agriculture adapts to the digital age, technology is set to play a larger role in the industry,” Sebastien said.
“The winning innovation for this challenge could effectively improve farm gate returns in Northern NSW and for Australian farms forever”.
According to Crop Farming 2030, a recent international report by the Boston Consulting Group, it suggests farming will be completely reinvented by 2030, with many of the new technologies already starting to appear. The integration of data analytics, wireless connectivity, advanced equipment and molecular biology are all tipped to increase dramatically.
“The Westpac Innovation Challenge is open to all kinds of ideas on how to reinvent agriculture, from the farm gate to the plate,” Sebastien said.
“We’re looking for a great idea that uses technology in smart ways for the benefit of agribusiness.
“Maybe it’s a way of connecting agricultural buyers and sellers, allowing consumers to connect with farmers, smart phone apps providing decision support for farmers, data systems that let small farmers harvest together. If you’ve ever come across a challenge in agribusiness and thought ‘there should be an app for that’, then this is the right place to share that idea!”
Applications close on Sunday, August 2. Five finalists will be announced on Monday 17 August and each will be introduced to industry influencers and decision makers to help them launch and grow in the market.
The winner will be announced at a national event held on September 1.
For more information and to apply visit www.bluechilli.com/corporate-innovation/disrupt-agribiz/
