The Atal Innovation Mission, in collaboration with CSIRO Australia, has announced the call for applications for the Climate Smart Agritech cohort of the India-Australia RISE Accelerator. The program, starting in October 2024, seeks start-ups and MSMEs from both countries with innovative solutions to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience against climate challenges. Applications close on 15 September 2024.
The RISE Accelerator program, launched by the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and CSIRO Australia in 2023, is inviting applications for its latest Climate Smart Agritech cohort. The initiative aims to support Indian and Australian start-ups and MSMEs focused on developing technologies that bolster agricultural productivity while addressing climate variability, resource scarcity, and food insecurity. The program will begin in October 2024, with applications closing on 15 September 2024.
The program is specifically looking for innovations that align with farmer needs and on-farm practices, aiming to ensure that solutions are both practical and scalable. Over nine months, participants will undergo a mix of online and in-person learning, including immersion weeks in India and Australia. These sessions will provide market insights, mentorship, and opportunities to connect with potential partners, enhancing the likelihood of successful international expansion.
“India and Australia share common agricultural challenges, but the scale and diversity of our farming operations are unique. This cohort will enable participants to achieve product-market fit in diverse markets and rapidly scale their solutions to meet global demands,” said Tamara Ogilvie, Program Director at CSIRO.
Since its inception in 2023, the RISE Accelerator has played a crucial role in helping start-ups and MSMEs validate and adapt their technologies for new markets. With the introduction of the Climate Smart Agritech cohort, the focus is now on addressing critical agricultural challenges through innovative solutions that can be implemented across different regions and climates in India and Australia.
By supporting start-ups and MSMEs in developing climate-smart agricultural technologies, the RISE Accelerator program aims to address pressing global challenges such as food insecurity and climate change. The program’s emphasis on practical, farmer-centric solutions will help ensure that innovations are effectively adopted, potentially transforming agricultural practices in both India and Australia.
While the RISE Accelerator offers significant opportunities for growth, some critics argue that the program’s selection criteria may favor more established start-ups with existing resources, potentially sidelining smaller, less-established ventures that also have innovative solutions.
Pramit Dash, Program Lead at AIM, emphasized the program’s impact: “By fostering innovation and providing a platform for start-ups to scale their solutions, the RISE Accelerator program not only addresses the immediate challenges in the agriculture sector but also ensures that farmers can access and adopt resilient practices tailored to their specific needs.”
The India-Australia RISE Accelerator’s Climate Smart Agritech cohort represents a significant opportunity for start-ups and MSMEs to expand their reach and impact. With a focus on practical, scalable solutions, the program aims to foster innovations that address critical agricultural challenges, benefiting farmers and the broader agricultural sector in both countries.
