Developing something from the ‘Ground Up’ can take a lot of work.  

But when innovators and producers collaborate, great things can happen. 

To help drive the development of innovative solutions for Australian grain growers, the Grains and Research Development Corporation (GRDC) supported the Agtech and Logistics Hub’s GroundUp program. 

A podcast and video released by GRDC highlight the importance of the GroundUp a 12-week accelerator that ended with an agtech showcase event on February 16, 2023. 

During the podcast recorded at the event, GRDC Senior Regional Manager – North Gillian Meppen spoke about why the leading grains research organisation supported GroundUp. 

Ms Meppen said GRDC had launched three initiatives to address the need for new innovation in 2019, including the Australian Grains Accelerator Program which GroundUp was part of.  

“It’s technology to assist and innovate, to solve a grower problem and not just a problem for today, but for tomorrow and for the years ahead. And that’s what innovation truly means,” she said.   

GroundUp participant Sarah Donovan, the founder of agrochemical platform Cirquitive told the podcast she chose the GroundUp program because it was GRDC funded.   

“When I saw that this opportunity came up, combined GRDC with the guys that I knew and the Agtech Logistics Hub, and I just thought what a perfect fit… it’s just been a wonderful journey and I’ve just learnt so much.” 

Ms Meppen said the program had brought some exciting organisations and individuals together to take part in the program to assist the grains industry to that next stage of innovation.  

“We know that it takes a lot to develop something from literally the ‘Ground Up’ and it’s an exciting space when you think about partnering innovative minds with producers. That’s where the magic truly happens,” she said. 

Listen to the podcast: https://bit.ly/3AYrf5S 

See the video: https://bit.ly/3NAazJE