Calling all agrifood tech innovators: Applications now open for the AgriFutures evokeAG. 2026 Startup Program

Applications are now open for the AgriFutures evoke^AG. 2026 Startup Program, where 50 of the boldest agrifood startups will receive a free pass to showcase their innovations on a global stage at evoke^AG. 2026 in Melbourne on 17-18 February 2026.

Hosted by AgriFutures Australia, evokeᴬᴳ^. is the premier global agrifood technology and innovation event, bringing together the brightest minds, breakthrough technologies and bold ideas shaping the future of agriculture.

The Startup Program offers founders a high-impact platform to:

• Showcase their solutions to a global audience
• Connect with investors, corporates, and producers
• Accelerate growth through partnerships and exposure.

Angela Wakeman, Acting General Manager, Global Innovation Networks at AgriFutures said the evoke^AG.  Startup Program is designed to give agrifood startups and scaleups tackling agriculture’s biggest challenges a platform to showcase their innovation and drive positive change for the sector.

“evokeᴬᴳ^. is more than an event – it’s a launchpad for the technologies and ideas that have the potential to transform agriculture. The Startup Program is designed to connect founders with the networks and opportunities they need to scale and succeed.”

The evoke^AG. 2026 Startup Program offers three streams:

• Startup Alley – The heart of evokeᴬᴳ^. Startup Alley is a dynamic exhibition space featuring 50 of the most innovative startups tackling agriculture’s biggest challenges.
• Culinary Capital – An exclusive networking dinner where startups pitch their solutions directly to investors, corporates and potential customers in a rotating table format.
• The evokeᴬᴳ^. Australian Landing Pad (formerly AgVenture Downunder) – A tailored program for 10 international startups ready to enter the Australian market, offering business support, market insights and connections with producers and trial partners.

Edward Barraclough, Founder of livestock management technology startup Drone-Hand, said the Program was instrumental in accelerating his business.

“The evoke^AG. Startup Program gave us exposure to the right people – investors, trial partners, customers and everyone in between – at exactly the right time. It was pivotal in creating pathways and securing partnerships that have led to the completion of our investment round and accelerated our move towards commercialisation,” said Edward.

Since its inception in 2019, the evoke^AG. Startup Program has supported the growth of more than 170 local and global startups, supporting their efforts to secure investment, partnerships and international expansion. Alumni include innovators such as Rainstick, Cropify, People in Paddocks, CropX and RHST, whose participation in evoke^AG. has fostered growth, investment, partnerships and international expansion.

Applications for the evoke^AG. 2026 Startup Program are open from Monday, 15 September 2025, until Friday, 24 October 2025 at 5.00pm AEDT.

For program details, eligibility criteria and further details on how to apply visit: evokeag.com/startups.

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