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India-Australia RISE Accelerator Opens for Agritech MSMEs and Startups

AgriTech Chemicals and Fertilizers

agritech startups, MSMEs, agriculture, climate resilience, non-equity grant

Business Honor
19 August, 2024

The RISE Accelerator invites agritech innovators from India and Australia to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience.

The India-Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator is calling for applications from agritech startups and MSMEs in both countries. Launched by Australia’s CSIRO and India’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under the NITI Aayog, the programme targets enterprises developing solutions to boost agricultural productivity and tackle climate and environmental challenges.

The nine-month accelerator will offer a combination of online learning, in-person sessions, and immersion weeks in both India and Australia. Participants will benefit from deep market insights, one-on-one coaching, and mentorship from industry experts. The programme is free of charge and includes opportunities to connect with potential partners and customers.

Selected startups and MSMEs, 12 to 18 in total, will be chosen from both nations. The programme also includes a non-equity grant of up to Rs 45 lakh for eligible enterprises. According to Tamara Ogilvie, Program Director at CSIRO, the initiative aims to help participants achieve product-market fit across diverse markets and scale their solutions globally.

Pramit Dash, Program Lead at AIM, highlighted that the RISE Accelerator not only addresses immediate agricultural challenges but also supports the adoption of resilient practices tailored to farmer needs. The programme aligns with India's National Mission on Natural Farming and recent efforts to promote chemical-free agriculture.