Future Agro Challenge Australia 2019

Startup Tablelands - Australian Host

Breaking News

Andrew Bate

andrew bate - judge

We’re very excited to announce our next JUDGE for AusFAC19 – our 2018 Australian Agripreneur of the Year Andrew Bates from SwarmFarm Robotics!

Andrew is set to bring fantastic experience to our Judging Panel – he’s a farmer by trade, has AgTech startup experience as a founder of an autonomous farm robot company, and he knows what it’s like to be in our finalists’ shoes, having won the competition last year and being freshly home from the Global Future Agro Challenge in Greece, where SwarmFarm came an incredible 3rd place!

We can’t wait to welcome Andrew back to the Atherton Tablelands as a Judge for 2019!

Leanne Kemp – Speaker & Judge

Leanne Kemp is Founder and CEO of Everledger and Queensland Chief Entrepreneur. She is a prominent figure in the technology sector and recognised internationally as an innovator and leader. Her company Everledger uses Blockchain technology to track high-value assets such as diamonds, art and wine with the aim of increasing transparency and trust with technology.

Leanne Kemp

In 2018, her entrepreneurial success saw her appointed as the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur in Australia, to develop the state’s startup ecosystem, attract investment and support job creation. She is the first woman entrepreneur to hold this position. In 2019 her tenure as Chief Entrepreneur was extended for another year, the first time the role has been extended since its creation.
Leanne works on a global scale to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation and is an advocate of sustainability in business. Leanne’s roles include:

  • CEO and Founder, Everledger
  • Queensland Chief Entrepreneur
  • Co-Chair, Global Future Council on the Future of Manufacturing, World Economic Forum
  • Member, Global Future Council on Blockchain, Circular Economy and Global Battery Alliance with the World Economic Forum
  • Co-Chair, Sustainable Trade Action Group, World Trade Board
  • Advisor, IBM Blockchain Platform Board of Advisors

Leanne is a two times Patent Inventor as well as holding the following prominent awards including:

  • Advancing Identification Matter (AIM) Global Allan Gilligan Award 2019
  • Advance Technology Innovation Award 2018
  • Innovator of the Year 2018 (Women in IT Awards, London)
  • Innovator of the Year 2016 (Women in IT Awards, London)
  • Top 26 Coolest Women in UK Tech, 2016 (Business Insider)
  • Top 30 Female Innovators (Brummell Magazine)

AusFAC Is On The Lookout For The Tableland’s Best Amateur Videographers/photographers!

The Australian Future Agro Challenge (AusFAC) is looking for Far North Queensland’s best amateur photographer/videographer!

Photo Comp

Startup Tablelands’ AusFAC 2019 is happening on the 2nd of November, and we are looking to FNQ’s creative community for ideas on recording the event.

And the prize for the best idea? $1250 cash and the opportunity to put your creative streak into action on the day.

You never know where such an opportunity could take you as you mingle with some of our most inspiring entrepreneurs. Could be a chance to turn your hobby into a money-maker!

AusFAC is a unique farming and technology event –fast-paced, on-farm and displaying innovative technology and hosting dynamic guest speakers. And an opportunity for creatives, from school students to retirees with a passion for photography and videography, to show off their skills too.

AusFAC Organising Committee Chair Calum Kippin said.

The winner of the competition will receive a prize of $1250 to record the AusFAC competition on Saturday 2 November.

For more information and entry details, contact the AusFAC organising committee on fac@startuptablelands.org

Ben van Delden – speaker

We’re very excited to announce KPMG Partner and Head of AgriFood Tech Ben van Delden as one of our guest speakers for AusFAC19!

Why is Ben a part of AusFAC? Coming from a family business background in aquaculture, livestock and horticulture, Ben has a passion for the agribusiness sector. He has experience at every level of farm and food innovation – developing regional plans to increase farm output, working with the agriculture industry through groups like the Meat & Livestock Association and grower groups to identify solutions for farmers, and being involved with agtech incubators and startups to assess market opportunities and accelerate commercialisation.

We can’t wait to bring Ben’s incredible expertise to the Tablelands and hear the insights that he has for our local farmers and competing entrepreneurs.

#BePartofTheFarmingRevolution

Travel Subsidy on offer

We’re very proud that AusFAC brings agriculture innovators and farmers together. A big part of that is hosting our events on farms in the stunning Atherton Tablelands.

But to discover the best farming destinations, sometimes you have to get off the beaten track and we know that’s not always easy for up-and-coming startups on a tight budget!

That’s why we’re excited to offer up to $500 to help our startup finalists pay for their travel expenses to get to the competition. If you have an innovative and fundable solution to food and farming challenges, head on over to nominations to find out how to apply for AusFAC19 and #BePartOfTheFarmingRevolution!

Swarm Farm 3rd global

👏👏Congratulations to SwarmFarm Robotics on a fantastic final pitch to take out 3rd place in the Future Agro Challenge Global Agripreneur of The Year for 2019. Bates team you are amazing ambassadors for Australian agriculture & testament to what can be achieved & built in rural Australia