Ten innovative agritech startups have been chosen for the India-Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing global farming challenges through sustainable and scalable solutions.
This year’s Climate Smart Agritech round highlights the shared agricultural resilience challenges faced by India and Australia, bringing together cutting-edge technology and cross-border collaboration to pave the way for a more sustainable farming future.
The following Australian startups in the cohort bring diverse innovations to the table:
- Rainstick, one of the standout Australian participants, combines ancient Indigenous knowledge with advanced Variable Electrical Field (VEF) technology to optimise crop yields and boost sustainability.
- Farmo focuses on IoT devices that monitor water levels and usage, simplifying farm management and improving productivity through affordable and reliable solutions.
- Gaia Project Australia is revolutionising indoor farming with its patented grow system, which doubles crop density, meeting the rising demand for pesticide-free, sustainable food.
- Novolo addresses the issue of coffee bean shelf life, extending freshness from 10 days to over six months and reducing waste through advanced processing technology.
- The Virtual Irrigation Academy (VIA) empowers farmers with simple soil and water management tools, including sensors that improve irrigation practices and foster sustainable farming.
The Indian cohort brings equally transformative ideas to the program:
- Intello Labs uses AI and imaging technology to digitise fresh produce quality, enhancing transparency and efficiency in agricultural supply chains.
- NatureDots combines Nature Intelligence and AI to monitor and secure water resources, helping farmers manage risks with 95% accuracy.
- SUIND employs drones and smart sensing for precise crop management, reducing chemical use while increasing productivity.
- Upaj integrates digital and physical services to optimise soil health and fertiliser use, while empowering rural women through entrepreneurship initiatives.
- Urdhvam Environmental Technologies tackles water scarcity with its patented BoreCharger rainwater harvesting tool, reviving depleted borewells and improving groundwater sustainability.
Australian startup Rainstick harnesses Variable Electrical Field (VEF) technology inspired by the Maiawali people’s 40,000-year-old rainstick practices to enhance crop yields and sustainability. The system mimics natural phenomena like lightning to stimulate biological switches in plants, accelerating growth.
“Our goal in India is to partner with not-for-profits and corporates to pilot clean and green seed treatments, boosting productivity for smallholder farmers,” said Darryl Lyons, Co-founder.
Farmo offers IoT devices that monitor water usage and other critical farm data, enabling farmers to optimise operations with reliable and affordable solutions. Founder Nick Seymour stated,
“By expanding our reach, we can help more farmers access affordable, reliable solutions that boost productivity and sustainability, no matter where they are.”
With its patented grow system, Gaia Project Australia doubles crop density, making it a game-changer for vertical and greenhouse farming.
“With RISE, we aim to fast-track the deployment of our sustainable solutions and build strong partnerships that will drive our international success,” said Nadun Hennayaka, Founder and CEO.
Novolo addresses roasted coffee’s stability problem, extending its shelf life from 10 days to over six months, benefitting coffee farmers and reducing waste.
“The RISE Accelerator is the ideal platform for Novolo to introduce our Australian-developed coffee technology to India, the world’s fourth-largest coffee producer,” said Hugh Nguyen, Co-founder.
Virtual Irrigation Academy empowers farmers with Chameleon soil moisture sensors, helping them manage water resources effectively. CEO Simon Dyer highlighted,
“India has over 21 million hectares of irrigated land and faces ongoing water scarcity issues, with smallholder farmers playing a vital role in food security and income for a significant portion of the population. Expanding into this market has the potential to greatly enhance the impact and benefits of VIA’s innovations.”
Indian startup Intello Labs uses AI and imaging to assess fresh produce quality in real time, improving transparency and efficiency.
“We applied to the RISE Accelerator to expand our global reach and amplify our impact as we believe our technology can revolutionise quality standardisation in fresh produce across borders, ensuring transparency and efficiency for farmers and businesses worldwide,” said Milan Sharma, Co-founder and CEO.
NatureDots’ AquaNurch Digital Twin® technology provides real-time ecological data, ensuring water quality and quantity with 95% accuracy.
“Australia presents a significant market for us, not just in terms of freshwater ecosystems but also coastal and marine applications, making it a strategic hub to serve multiple markets in the region,” said Snehal Verma, Co-founder and CEO.
SUIND employs AI-driven drones for efficient spraying and crop analysis, reducing chemical use and improving yields.
“Agriculture today faces global challenges due to climate change and global warming. We need to address these challenges together, and SUIND is excited to participate in the RISE Accelerator program to bring our solutions to Australia,” said Kunal Shrivastava, Co-founder and CEO.
Upaj’s Insoil device provides rapid, precise soil nutrient recommendations, while its Mitti Didi initiative empowers rural women entrepreneurs.
“Expanding our impact together with CSIRO and AIM, across borders, will allow us to empower farmers worldwide with cutting-edge solutions, driving sustainable practices that safeguard our planet’s future and ensure food security for generations to come,” said Sourabh Bagla, Senior Vice President.
Urdhvam’s BoreCharger rainwater harvesting tool rejuvenates borewells, addressing water scarcity. “Collaboration and shared expertise are essential for achieving a sustainable future,” said Rahul Bakare, Founder and CEO.
The RISE Accelerator is more than a platform for innovation—it is a bridge connecting the brightest minds in agritech across borders. By fostering collaboration between Indian and Australian startups, the program enables transformative solutions to address critical challenges in agriculture, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
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