Agritech International Acceleration
Programme
Agritech International Acceleration Programme
Join us on a 4-month International Acceleration programme and gain support, knowledge and guidance from a specialized Agri-tech accelerator based in Latin America – AgTech Garage.
This programme is designed to embed promising NZ Agri-tech companies in global innovation ecosystems of various agricultural sub-sectors, from livestock to horticulture and controlled environments (CEA), starting from the Latin America region.
Complete the application by 18th February, 2021
Applications will be assessed and shortlisted, and the final 10 will be selected and contacted by 28th February, 2022.
What does this programme offer?
Participants will have access to:
- Personalized mentorship by industry veterans to strengthen their internationalization strategy
- Community feedback and support from across the LatAm region to create greater relevance to target markets
- Introductions to potential investors or business leads based in LatAm, with international connections
This programme will be tailored to a select cohort of 10 New Zealand Agri-Tech companies looking to unlock international ecosystem support and accelerate entry into Latam markets aligned to their growth strategy.
Participants will have the opportunity to showcase and test their products and services and to leverage ecosystem support to make international connections, build market growth muscle and potentially obtain access to capital.
Designed to help companies circumvent Covid restrictions, the full program will be delivered virtually. This includes access to international oportunities through the programme’s unique structure.
Programme criteria
NZ Companies who would like to gain connections, capability, capital inroads and coaching support from NZ’s International Agritech Partners.
This activity is intended for companies focused on delivering innovation to primary food production players and their respective value chains right until the final consumer.
Programme Mechanics
The programme will be delivered in partnership with AgriTech Garage in four stages:
Recruitment and selection
Recruitment and selection of 10 New Zealand AgriTech companies to participate in the Acceleration to Latin America programme. Due date for submissions: 18 February 2022.
Personalised Mentorship
Connection and mentoring of AgriTech companies to identify market needs, how they are met by solutions offered and alignment of value proposition to be successful in the region.
Each company will have 1-to-1 sessions with mentors. Sessions will be 1 hour, and companies may have up to 3 sessions.
21 March 2022 – Programme kick - off meeting
Be prepared to schedule 2 one-hour calls with mentors between the period of 22 March till 9 May (agenda to be agreed beforehand) plus 1 to 2 hours of preparation/dedication.
Test & Prep with ecosystem
Preparation for the “Pitching day,” based on the 5in50 concept - in which companies present their solutions to partners within the ecosystem of AgriTech Garage Hub as a test and feedback session. 5in50 session: 10 May 2022.
Pitch & Leads
“Pitching day event” - Pitching session day: 10 June 2022
A. Companies will have a pitching session with mentors to review their pitching before presentation.
B. Follow-up meetings will be organized with interested parties, depending on interest raised during pitching sessions.
All activities will be held in a virtual format via Zoom or Microsoft Teams platforms, considering New Zealand time zone (8 – 11 am NZ time).
Programme:
This will be a 4-month programme, all delivered online.
18 February, 2022
Final date for submission of EOI signed by the person responsible for the company
28 February, 2022
Announcement of the 10 companies selected to participate in the programme
21 March, 2022
Programme Kick-Off Presentation and preparation meetings (schedules to be organized directly with each company)
10 May, 2022
5in50 – companies present to groups of partner companies – 10 minutes presentation per company
10 June, 2022
Pitching Day for investors, corporations, Latin American partners
Who is behind this initiative?
The AgriTech International Acceleration Programme is enabled by New Zealand Trade & Enterprise within the scope of the Industry Transformation Plan.
Expressions of interest
Due to the limited capacity and the time needed to organize the activity, the deadline for expressing interest is 18 February, 2022.
If you want to apply to participate in this activity, please fill in the form in this link:
Useful things to know:
As this is a pilot, costs directly related to the programme will be borne by NZTE with support from the resources of the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (MBIE).
It is worth noting that you will get thousands of dollars in expert advice and support throughout this programme!
The investment in each company is NZ $3,000, with another estimated NZ $2,000 in time cost. As such, selected cohort participants are expected to fulfil at least 90% of programme expectations. NZ companies who are unable to do so will be required to reimburse 50% of the midpoint investment amount.
There will be no travel involved to participate in the programme, as this will be virtual. Any travel costs and other expenses, and membership in local programmes are not included or covered by this programme.
Outcomes and indicators of success will be determined at the beginning of the programme and will be specific to each NZ company. Cohort participants are expected to be committed to the outcomes of the programme, with a real intention of entering and growing your business in Latin American markets.
In delivering this low to no-cost programme, we ask in return that we can have your full commitment, full participation, and active and engaged feedback so that we can best assess the value to you and other businesses as we shape up this offering for future participants.
Additional needs that fit outside the programme and are bespoke to your business may be identified, which you will need to decide if you will invest in.
Where possible, we will aim to shape the cohort, so it is a mix of non-competing Agritech companies. You may even discover opportunities for complementary technologies with other cohort members!
Who is AgTech Garage
AgTech Garage is a key catalyst in the innovation ecosystem in the Agribusiness environment in Latin America. It is based in the city of Piracicaba, state of São Paulo, in Brazil. It has innovation partnerships with companies such as Bayer, Bunge, Suzano (paper & Pulp), Ceva Animal Health, Cargill, Danone, Embrapa, John Deere, Yara, and MSD, among others.
AgTech Garage has more than 900 companies connected in its network of start-ups, and has experience in events in Latin America such as Intensive Connection Latam, Sustainability Challenge with Bayer and partnerships with other innovation hubs and investors such as The Yield Lab.
AgTech Garage has a team of 21 mentors that support their ecosystem hub, including C-level employees at corporations such as MSD, Lyndsay and Sumitomo; VC and Fund investors including Aqua Capital, Patria, Barn and Kaete; and global consultancies including PwC and Bain.
Nadia Alcantara
Nadia.Alcantara@nzte.govt.nz