GRDC_logo
Cicada-Logo-Large-1

The Grains Challenge
Grains Elevate

 

Grains Elevate is an immersive in person 2-day workshop with a supporting e-learning course designed to empower deep tech startups to explore their potential for commercialisation in the Grains industry.

This opportunity is fully funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

This course will give you unique access to experts, entrepreneurs and operators who will provide specialist advice on how to build a deep tech business in the Grains industry.

You will gain the knowledge and confidence to:

  • Navigate the grains industry value chain
  • Define and articulate your unique value proposition
  • Connect with farmers and growers 
  • Become "grant ready" and plan ahead
  • Build partnerships and find investors

To apply for Grains Elevate please complete the form below, telling us about your innovation and how this program can support you.  

Applications open

Expert in residence

Brooke Sauer - Expert-in-Resident

Brooke Sauer

AgTech Expert-in-Residence and Head of Innovation at Pure Grain Network


Brooke is the owner and director of Intellect Ag, a bespoke consulting company providing advice to farmers, agronomists, agtech start-ups, venture capitalists and technical specialists. Brooke has over 17 years’ experience across Australia including experience as an investor, collaborator, commercial partner, applied technology developer, advisor and consultant. Combining her experience of engaging with growers and leveraging her strong relationship with researchers, consultants and agronomists, Brooke has become a well-respected agriculture consultant.

 

Your Elevate Experts

Hebbat Manhy

Cicada Innovations

Hebbat

Will Smith

Artesian

Will Smith - Artesian

Tim Byrne

Invertigo

Tim Byrne - Invertigo

Roozbeh Ravansari

X-Centric

Roozbeh Ravansari - X-Centric

Sian Priest

Cicada Innovations

Sian-Priest

Luke Wood

Escavox

Luke wood

"The GRDC Elevate program was thoughtfully designed and executed to vet and propel nascent business ideas like ours. The line up of content and speakers was of immense calibre and usefulness to our development. We were able to challenge our thinking in such a way that we have certainly saved ourselves 18 months of start-up pain and floundering by attending the 2 days at Cicada"

- Grains Elevate, 2024

GRDC_logo

The Cicada x GRDC Grains Challenge

Australia is a global leader in grains production. Supplying the world with grains for food, fuel, feedstock, renowned for the quality and varieties exclusive to Australian land.

To maintain our global leadership the grain growers need new technology to solve the industry's most pressing problems; from productivity, yield, efficiencies, costs and volatile markets. With a growing demand for food and net zero targets, we need innovations to deliver new and improved varieties, farming practices, and technologies that enable new capability to the Australian grains industry.

Find out more
CicadaInnovations_Logo_Horizontal_Sand