Meet the 16 Ventures for Cohort 4 of the Drought Resilience Lab!

The innovators in this cohort are developing solutions in plant coatings, wastewater management, plant processing, soil diagnostics, and more. Bringing varied expertise and backgrounds, they are all united in their work aiming to strengthen drought resilience for Australian farmers. Over the next 12 weeks, Beanstalk’s Venture Builders will work closely with these innovators to refine their value propositions, test solutions, and prepare for scale across the agtech ecosystem. 

NSW: Soil, Livestock, and the rise of AI

• Tim Charlton – XMET 
  A feed supplement that cuts ruminant methane emissions by up to 90% while improving productivity, soil health, and drought resilience. Made from pyrogenic carbon derived from farm residues, it offers a scalable, cost-neutral solution. 

• Dr. Aleona Swegen – SpermSafe 
  A novel semen preservation technology that allows ambient-temperature storage for weeks, removing the need for refrigeration in cattle and equine breeding. It accelerates genetic gain and reduces the climate impact of breeding in heat- and drought-affected regions. 

• Dr. Kasuni Tharaka Vidanagamachchi – AgriShift 
  A mobile knowledge platform delivering AI-supported, expert-verified adaptation advice tailored to local conditions in drought-prone regions. 

• Brenden Emery  and Madhu Jambunathan – iQ Sense 
  A smart, self-powered ear tag biosensor that continuously tracks livestock health in real time. Using non-invasive optical sensing and AI insights, it detects disease and stress early, helping producers intervene sooner and build resilience to climate challenges like drought.

• Dylan Wood – Broadleaf Hemp 
  A soil enhancer system that transforms farm waste into biological inputs, reducing irrigation needs by up to 40% while improving yields and soil health. Combining mobile processing and microbial tech, it helps scale regenerative agriculture. 

WA: Solar Power, Phenotype and Enzymes 

• Soner Bekir – Algaesys 
  A low-energy, solar-powered wastewater system that uses phototrophic organisms to produce reusable water and nutrient-rich biomass. Compact, easy-to-operate, and hyper-efficient, it provides a sustainable, decentralised solution to water scarcity and pollution. 

• Pham Thi Thanh Huyen – Rhizo 
  A high-throughput phenotyping platform that helps plant breeders and dryland farmers quickly identify wheat lines with stronger root–soil contact under drought and acidic soils. 

• Ralf Kriege – Coolyena Group 
  A locally sourced, enzyme-enhanced soil supplement that slowly releases nutrients while improving water retention and soil structure in drought-prone regions. It offers farmers a sustainable, carbon-positive alternative to imported fertilisers. 

• Sashiko Dayani – EasyRanch 
  A precision livestock platform using AI, IoT, and geospatial analytics to deliver real-time insights on animal health, weight, and fertility. Designed for drought conditions, it helps farmers optimise feed, boost resilience, and improve welfare.

SA: Water Efficient Processing 

• Dr. John Fielke – Olives the Australian Way 
  A patented, water-efficient olive processing method that helps growers cut waste and speed up turnaround. Using sensor-controlled organic acid diffusion, it replaces traditional methods with a healthier, flavour-rich process that builds drought resilience 

VIC: Plant Health, Biosecurity and Sensors 

• Sam Turner – The Molecular Farming Co. 
  A plant-based RNAi biopesticide that targets Varroa mites, offering beekeepers a safe, precise, and eco-friendly alternative to chemicals. It strengthens pollinator health and supports climate-resilient agriculture. 

• Dr. JJ Richardson and Robert Mond – Bionica 
  A fast-acting natural plant coating that protects crops from pathogens using antimicrobial compounds derived from agricultural waste. Rain-resistant and ultra-low dose, it helps farmers, gardeners, and conservationists cut costs and build drought-resilient yields. 

• Rob Jennings – Biosecurity Watch 
  A predictive biosecurity alert system using AI, climate models, satellite imagery, and sensor data to forecast pest and disease threats before they spread. By turning complex datasets into actionable insights, it enables proactive prevention. 

ACT: Biodiversity and Ecological Data 

• Dr. Juan Garces – Quanto-Pollen 
  A molecular diagnostic tool that lets fruit growers track the mix of pollen carried by bees to measure cross-pollination effectiveness. Using genetic markers for cultivar- and block-level insights, it guides hive placement and orchard planning to improve fruit set and yields, even under drought and climate stress. 

• Dr. Debbie Saunders – Nature Helm 
  A biodiversity intelligence platform that helps corporates and asset managers turn fragmented ecological data into actionable, site-specific insights. It supports drought resilience, regulatory compliance, and ecosystem protection across agriculture, food, fibre, and finance value chains. 

QLD: AI for Livestock 

• Sam Rogers – GrazeMate 
  An autonomous drone system that uses AI and computer vision to muster livestock and monitor pastures, reducing labour and improving efficiency. By enabling more frequent, low-effort stock rotations, it supports regenerative and drought-resilient grazing practices.