Introducing the Second Cohort of Innovators for the Drought Venture Studio!
Welcoming the next 24 agtech innovators shaping the future of farming.
We're inspired by bold solutions that will drive the transformation of agriculture. These 24 innovators are tackling the challenge a changing climate presents for sustainable farm water management, soil health and animal wellbeing to create a drought-resilient farm. Let’s dive into their exciting innovations.
ACT: Groundbreaking Innovations for Agriculture
Yi Yu, DroughtSense AI
DroughtSense AI is an advanced agricultural drought monitoring system that combines high-resolution satellite data with interpretable machine learning algorithms. Designed for farmers, agricultural planners, and policymakers, it provides precise, localized drought predictions and impact assessments.
Caitlin Bryt, Membrane Transporter Engineers
MTE is developing a novel membrane which is able to harvest high-value nutrients such as urea in wastewater allowing water to be filtered for either reuse or sale. Empowering farmers to not just reuse their water but the valuable components in the waste.
NT: Turning Waste into Opportunity
Yujuan Li, Agg Cycle: Agg Cycle turns cotton waste into sustainable substrates for cultivating high-value exotic mushrooms, producing byproducts such as fertilizer. This circular solution reduces agricultural waste, supports circular farming, and creates new economic opportunities and improved nutrition in food deserts.
WA: Precision Tools for Smarter Farming
PaddockPath is an advanced tool designed to optimize paddock efficiency for broad-acre farming. It streamlines operations, enhances productivity, and maximizes land use for improved farming outcomes.
ResonAg has developed a The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-based moisture sensor that enables precise adaptation of seeder depth based on soil moisture levels. This innovation optimises planting depth, improving crop establishment and maximising overall yield potential.
SA: From Autonomous Drones to Soil Health Solutions
General Autonomy has created a fully autonomous, multi-purpose agricultural drone designed to perform various field tasks. It maximizes operational efficiency by automating processes like crop monitoring, spraying, and data collection.
Dru Reschke, NatureCare Capital
NatureCare Capital integrates satellite, drone, and infrared technology to monitor soil organic carbon (SOC) for identifying and facilitating Soil Carbon Credit (ACCU) projects. This innovation aids farmers in improving soil health while generating carbon credits.
Thylation’s EdgeAI automated monitoring network enables real-time tracking of grazers and forage conditions. This technology provides farmers with actionable insights to optimize pasture management and improve livestock productivity, especially in drought conditions.
VIC: Improving Livestock and Soil Management
Sarah Preston, Worm Antibody Test
This innovation offers a new, easier way to test for worms in sheep, replacing the traditional rectal test with saliva antibody detection. It addresses a $600M problem in Australia that is exacerbated when livestock cluster around limited water supplies during drought conditions, and helps improve testing for farms, labs, and livestock.
AquaTerra Solutions has developed an advanced moisture sensor capable of providing insights up to 2 meters deep from a simple 10 cm installation. This simplifies setup while delivering greater accuracy and versatility in moisture monitoring.
NSW: Sustainable and Technological Advancements
Digibale is developing small, lightweight, and affordable smart tags that allow producers to remotely track, monitor, and assess the real-time status and health of individual animals or entire herds at scale.
AgX is creating the world’s first humane virtual tactile fencing system, empowering farmers to manage fences and herds directly from their smartphone.
The bio-foam from La Foundary is made from upcycled agri-industrial waste and is designed to replace Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in industries such as packaging and urban farming. It offers eco-conscious agricultural businesses waste diversion solutions and supports SMEs in adopting sustainable alternatives.
DroidMap offers a low-cost, scalable platform for visualizing and processing large aerial datasets. It provides actionable insights that optimize agricultural operations such as crop monitoring, targeted irrigation and fertigation, and regenerative land management.
Dax Kukulj & Ding Zhang, Green Hydrogen Peroxide
Green Hydrogen Peroxide provides a safer, chemical-free cleaning solution for farmers, reducing costs and environmental impact. This innovation allows farmers to clean fruits, vegetables, and more while minimizing reliance on harmful chemicals.
Michael Stone, Two Birds
Trailblazer Biochar is a scalable, mobile, and continuous biochar production system. It allows farmers to efficiently convert excess biomass (which often presents a fire risk in drought conditions) into valuable biochar, promoting sustainable farming by turning waste into a high-impact resource.
Negin Shariati, EcoSense Solution
EcoSense Solution (ESS) focuses on developing innovative wireless remote sensing solutions for agriculture and beyond. The batteryless, ultra-low-power tags integrated with advanced data analytics and machine learning measure permittivity and conductivity remotely, enabling applications in smart agriculture and other industries.
QLD: Innovative Tools for Water, Crops, and Livestock
Johnny Wapstra, Seed2Diesel
Seed 2 Diesel converts oilseeds grown by farmers into biodiesel, powering agricultural equipment and promoting sustainability.
Adam Willson, Slow Soil
Slow Soil is an application that helps primary producers identify optimal locations for building small contours to reduce water and nutrient loss. It also provides timely soil health information, supporting sustainable farming practices.
Soil Insights transforms soil data into actionable insights through advanced sampling, laboratory automation, and spatial return-on-investment mapping. This technology empowers consultants and land managers with precise, sustainable agricultural decision-making tools.
Joerg Rockstroh, X42 Monitoring
X42 Monitoring pioneers a standalone water monitoring solution that tackles the challenge of efficient water management in drought-prone farming. This innovation helps farmers optimize water use and secure their operations against unpredictable weather conditions.
Ethan Waters, Sugar-AI
Sugar-AI’s health monitoring algorithm offers early detection of diseases in sugarcane which are often brought on by abiotic stress such as water scarcity, identifying issues invisible to the naked eye. This technology protects yields and enhances productivity.
Mark Dunn, Landmark Automation
Landmark Automation offers a cutting-edge suite of technologies that enable fully automated drafting yards. This innovation transforms livestock and feral species management across vast, remote landscapes.
The Banana Yield Monitoring System tracks yields from tree/branch to weight using hardware and GPS. Expandable to other crops like mango and lychee, this system enhances worker efficiency, reduces soil degradation, and improves safety for farmers and temporary workers.
